Next topic for opinions... tricky one, this.

Every time I read one of these roleplay vs. realist threads, I see the pretty well defined explanations people offer up as for what one is and what the other is, and then I realize that I'm basically neither one. I'm a total hypocrite when it comes to how I view SL. I don't like RP'ers who magically change up personalities and the way they treat you just because they changed AV's or accounts, yet somehow it's ok for me to step beyond my tedium and play the tramp, vamp, barbi, or business woman, none of which are really me. I'm a big fan of realistic pursuits in SL, and I'm totally anal about things like honesty and trust in SL, yet nothing pisses me off quicker than people who treat SL like a dating service. What remains is that I'm outwardly not realist, and also outwardly not pretending at the same time. Maybe LL should banish me to a free private island for being a wierdo and not conforming

I read only half of the responses but felt compleled to reply to the first poster.

Most people here stated that they are here just to be themselves (RL). That is great BUT the people around you do not know who you are. They do not know truth from fiction. Most people online or roleplayers or board chatters if they have been doing it awhile are jaded in that they can only know what they see is truth. aka typed words, behavior, manners, actions online.

So I, as a long time roleplayer, say that EVERYONE is roleplaying away from RL and in SL they are playing at whatever fantasy they wish to. It does not matter if that is a Cat, Bat, Dog or Frog. Even if you are playing yourself I bet it is not completely true for most. Many times we try to be better or worse than reality. Braver or Prettier. Evil or Sweet.

So when you meet that Avi and wonder if it is a male or female just remember they are wondering the same about you. And unless you want to meet for lunch I doubt even if you type out the truth people will believe you.

So who or what ever you wish to portray in SL that is who I roleplay with. If I want to play a girl liking (tries to think of something nonconfrontational) Demon spawn from hell and it is really a guy in Kansas I am playing with, Who cares if he is not hurting anyone and is of age.

Just remember it is ALL Fantasy and don't try and poop on mine

I'm going to copy something I wrote in a thread a while back, that applies here:

"The whole OOC thing is an interesting one that I've been giving some thought to recently... essentially I think that SL residents fall into two very broad categories - those that see SL as an extension of their RL, and SL as a "chat room on steroids", and there are those that see it as a role-playing environment (whether those roles are reality-based - the hot babe - or fantasy - vampires, furries, etc).

There is no right or wrong answer - I think SL is big enough for both.

The "RL-extension" people tend to get very upset when the RPers won't reveal personal information, and tend to assume that they are hiding something. After all, they in in SL looking for RL people to get to know and befriend. The escapism crown are looking for something that is as unconnected with their RL as possible, and get upset when the "RL-extension people" keep talking about their real lives.

Ok, I know I have over-generalised here, but I hope you get the idea.

As long as you know which category you fall into, are consistent about it (i.e. don't bug avies for RL info if you're not willing to give any up yourself), and are prepared to have people shun you as friends because of your decision, you will do fine. There are enough people in SL in both camps that you can make enough friends with people who share your style.

Oh, and based on what I have seen - when it comes to SL-dating or relationships, they work best when both of you fall into the same broad group. This is not a case where opposites attract and can often lead to some very hurt people...."

I am a big fan of rp...it's pretty much all I do with Second Life. I see this as a creative platform, and since I am not a graphic designer, or a content creator in world, my creative outlet is the character I have fashioned for myself (and others) to play with.

I actually don't understand people who are offended by this. Why would I not want to make SL into a fantasy movie-like world where anything and everything is possible. I actually have more fun pretending I am Royce, then if I were trying to be nerdy geeky me in Second Life (although, I am going to make an AV of myself just for fun...but never play her)

Oh well...that's why I love this place. Be anything you want to be.

The thing is that SL tends to make this surprisingly difficult. The reason for this is, that whatever role you choose to play, SL is basically a world about two things - doing creative works, and socialising with other people. These are the only way to express any role you choose to play.

Roleplayers often find that SL roles don't offer enough depth to provide anything to connect with others about, so they wind up talking about their generic SL activites, which is often the same thing that the real life players are talking about. Meanwhile, the real life players find that the economic system in SL tends to encourage moving away from RL because of how content is allocated. In SL, unlike (for example) Facebook, you can't have your avatar free provided it looks like the real you.