Hello everyone.
If the title sounds cryptic I’ll get right into the topic. If you want a TLDR version I’ll provide one at the end of my post.
Ladies and gents of the (better) faction, I want to talk to you about the RP scene on the Horde. Not because it’s doing bad or because of “Horde Rp is dying” or because I’m particularly miffed or salty about it- But rather, because I think from the conversations I’ve had with people a lot of them have been reminiscing and thinking about the same stuff I have.
I am, of course, talking about the current state of Horde RP.
So before we start the discussion about it, it’d probably good if I clarified what I mean by that.
I personally feel that the once relatively open RP scene in the Horde has splintered into different communities, clicks and groups- And while in many cases that’s all nice and good, as people can simply differentiate and choose what kind of RP experience they want from the game, it has, in my view, killed a lot of the interaction and broader server aligning storylines and the feel that your character is part of this large network of relations spanning across entire factions, even over to the other faction.
Now, is that fundamentally a bad thing or not? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know- It just feels wrong to me. But ultimately I can’t answer that.
But, if I feel that there is something that could be improved, we have to look at the root causes- What caused, the supposed change (if there even was any in the first place?). I’m going to use myself and my own experiences as an example (Since I can only speak for myself), and I’m going to give names not to fall into vagueposting.
Gameplay wise, I was always a loner and am to this date. I enjoy pugging and doing my own stuff, though recently I’ve done more content with my lovely guild Grim Gest (Which has probably been my most positive discovery in the last few years). But RP wise, I’ve always enjoyed interacting with a lot of different people, come across new communities and forge new friendships/rivalries- Such as with Rak’huul’s lot at the start of the expansion in the Zuldazar nights.
Back in WoD, even before that, I feel like the random RP scene was blooming way more in Orgrimmar and around the rest of the Horde RP scene. Closely knit guilds were still a thing (e.g. OotRB, Blackjaw Clan) who had their own stuff going, but by far and large whenever there were serverwide events, campaigns and even just the usual VoH RP, I saw people mingling and RPing with one another, regardless of the guild tag. Some of my favorite interactions are from late MoP all the way to Legion included RPing in campaigns (Frozen heart 1,2, Zephyr, Legacy of the Saurok, Soggoth, Savannah) where I met with individuals (e.g. Exijin, Bwimtoru, Rogmasha, Brigante, Matowa, Hangart, Skreel) and guilds (e.g. Blood howl, FPC, Rotgarde, Darkspear Tribe, Sun Hawks, Electrofish). Of course, problems emerged and were still a thing back then (Of which I was part of more than once, too), but they weren’t as prevalent I feel- That, or I just didn’t notice the change.
However things changed with BFA I feel- Especially after the drums of war, and moreso with the Chook’s Northrend Campaign afterwards. Something happened that I feel drove a big wedge between the guilds, individuals and other players.
One reason could be the lore- Which has obviously splintered Horde into Sylvanas loyalists vs non loyalists. Another reason could be personal relationships or guild rivalries. Personally, I very rarely if ever ignore people unless I feel that for both of the sides sakes it’s just better to avoid one another, even if they do something to slight me or something else. I like to leave the relationship open ended in most cases.
Another reason could just very well be the age of the game- Many people have left the game alltogether or the RP scene. People also grow older and grow other interests. Maybe I’m just a boomer sipping monster juice and reminsicing the good old days.
But that’s just my take on the thing- You may have a complete opposite view or may have not even paid it that much thought or attention. I’m interested to hear your PoV, either way. Maybe I’m just alone in my views, maybe it’s mode widespread than I thought. I’d like to know, that’s all, regardless of the guild or community you’re part of, or whether you like or dislike me.
Of course, more than likely this thread will very soon turn into sh1tposting galore where people take slights at one another- But on the off chance that if we manage to get in even 1-2 genuine thoughts, posts or even the general idea that other people have also been having these same thoughts, we might at least find some consensus or common ground that could potentially be used to build back that community feel I feel has, if not left the Horde RP scene, then at the very least thinned down.
TLDR: Old man yells at cloud wanting community feeling back.
