NationStates Jolt Archive

How important is the name (thread title) of an RP? Would you judge an RP by its title?

Most definately.

If the title just said "Space RP(Open)", or "Cool RP(Closed)" I wouldn't join, since I like a good description before I join.

Similarly, RPs with titles like "0uT3r Sp4c3 R9!!1!" I would definatly avoid.

Basically, I only look at RPs, with Descriptive titles that show professionality and pride in work.

A title is the first thing one sees. There are too many threads to look through all of them, so one has to decide which titles sound interesting. Of course, the actual post is far more important, but nobody will see it if the title doesn't draw attention.

True. I know of a post in which the title and the text were entirely different. A lot of people opened it thinking it to be a political discussion, but it was merely one of those trivia threads. I was disappointed. The title is very important in a thread. No one really wants to read a thread called "Open RP" or "<insert something in N00bspeak here>".

I know when I surf both the NationStates and International Incidents forums for interesting role-plays to follow titles are the first thing that attract my attention. Whether they be very bad or very good titles, truth be told, determines whether or not I click to read.

yes a title is the one thing that can almost make or break an R.P. I know from experience. And you dont always need a big name- look at AMF he has some of the shortest thread titles out there, but the are one that attract peoples attention.

yes a title is the one thing that can almost make or break an R.P. I know from experience. And you dont always need a big name- look at AMF he has some of the shortest thread titles out there, but the are one that attract peoples attention.

Yeah but, AMF himself is a "big name."

Thread titles shouldn't make or break an RP in the same way that whether a pizza's box is red or black shouldn't have any bearing on whether the pizza itself is tasty...

Thread titles shouldn't make or break an RP in the same way that whether a pizza's box is red or black shouldn't have any bearing on whether the pizza itself is tasty...
You don't buy a pizza based on the box, you buy it based on the reputation and advertising of the pizza place. If you were looking for a pizza in the Yellow Pages, chances are you'd avoid "Garbage Scow Pizza" and "Leprosy Pie Works". A good name makes a HUGE difference in advertising.

Would you be more likely to visit a new RP labeled "Hi there..." or one labeled "Bigtopia shines a spotlight on future allies"? Both of them might be first posts from newbies, but I'd be much more likely to see what the second guy had to say. He's advertising that he has something to say, and that he can say it in interesting ways.

Good roleplayers have a good rep, and people will visit their threads even if the thread has a poor or obscure name. It's just that other part of advertising.

I'm not criticizing the well known fact that more interesting thread titles catch more attention. But it doesn't have much to do with the quality of the RP, nor should people judge RP by that.

Nor in fact by advertising. IIRC mods have a problem with threads whose titles main function is to get attention. (Which is one of the primary functions of advertising.)

If that policy is changed though, I wanna know.

Would you be more inclined to read a thread titled "Naked, Hot Women" or one called "Bigtopia shines a light on future allies?" Whether someone clicks on a thread only determines that they clicked on a thread, not that the threads content is... well, anything at all. Bad, good. RP isn't about how many hits you get.

Yes, but if nobody clicks on the thread, nobody will RP in it. Both quality writing and an interesting title are required.