User blog comment:John Breasly/Questioning the "System of Roleplay" Established Here/@comment-3112181-20121228035527

This is the last thing I'm going to say on the matter. Your argument is that because this wiki is based on the game, the roleplay should be dependent on the game. The key word in that sentence was "based". This wiki is merely based on the game. Its central ideas and concepts originate from the game. The wiki is, however, a completely separate institution from the game. This wiki's primary purpose is, as quoted: "A wiki where you can create your own fan-fiction, a page about your pirate or guild from the MMORPG: Pirates of the Caribbean Online". Note, nothing there is said about roleplay. ''This wiki was not founded with the intentions of hosting roleplay. That came much later. ''So, therefore, why must roleplay on here be the same as in the game? As I said, this is a completely different institution from the game, and while ideas such as pirates, characters, et cetera carry over to the wiki, roleplay does not.

Now, most of you have the wrong idea of what "roleplay" is. Most of you are under the impression "roleplay" only exists in online games, and involves online avatars battling each other for control of land, power, wealth, or what have you. According to dictionary.com, "roleplay" is defined as:

role-play   (rlpl) v. role-played, role-play·ing, 'role-playsv.'tr.''To assume or represent in a drama; act out: "Participants are encouraged to pass on leads about jobs ... and to role-play interview situations with each other"  (Hatfield MA Valley Advocate). v.intr.To assume or act out a particular role: "When I hire people I role-play with them ... to see how they take pressure" (Peter Schrag).

Nowhere in there does it mention land, power, or wealth. It is simply acting for sheer enjoyment; in this case, it'd be representing something. Now, I will admit, in the game Pirates of the Caribbean: Online, roleplay may be executed as battling in SvS or PvP to gain prestige for your "country" you "roleplay" as. But, since we've already established that the wiki and the game are two completely separate, independent systems, that does not mean the same definition of "roleplay" applies to the wiki. On the wiki, we roleplay as the definition states: acting or representing a particular role.

Now, John Breasly, along with other names such as Pearson Wright, et cetera, is considered a founder of roleplay in Pirates of the Caribbean: Online, and a pioneer roleplayer on the wiki. However, that does not make him the "King of Roleplay" on the wiki. In the game, sure. Do whatever you want in the game. But on the wiki, where was it established that you need to have a guild with x amount of people to have your own country? Where was it established you need to attend every in-game SvS match in order to maintain your leadership? '''THE GAME ≠ THE WIKI. '''

Look, it's great that England is so large. It's great they have a massive guild with tons of followers. And it's great that they worked their butts off for lord knows how long to get where they are. But where was it ever established you need to in-game "work" for your country? As many of you know, I can't get on the game. I'm not asking for special treatment; even if I could get on the game, I wouldn't, because honestly, the game sucks. But I'm tired of people saying that because I don't / can't get on the game, I don't deserve Russia, simply because I don't do any "work"...... I've made well over two dozen pages (not counting blogs) on this wiki concerning Russia. Look at this, this, this, and this, and you bloody tell me that is not time-consuming work.

I'll admit, Russia is pathetic. We don't have a lot of men. But, here's the thing: we're happy! We're having fun on this wiki! We ''enjoy roleplaying, even though we aren't that powerful! ''Now you basically want to end us, because we "aren't as powerful as you". The United States of America is aeons more powerful than freaking Liechtenstein, yet does that give them the right to end them just like that? No! Liechtenstein has a population just below 40,000 people, they have no standing army, and the country is basically a hill surrounded by twenty trees with a road running through it. Yet, despite these setbacks, the people of Liechtenstein are happy! (I should know, I've been through there. Very proud people). Now, I'm not trying to compare Russia with Liechtenstein, but it's the same situation here. England, get off your high-horse and mind your own business.

What you should take from this comment:

Roleplay takes on a very different definition than many have assumed it to be.

The game does not equal the wiki; therefore, roleplay in the game does not equal roleplay on the wiki.

"Hard work" in managing a country does not come solely through building up guilds in the game. Hard work can also come from dozens of hours and hours of page writing; hours that I will never get back.

Just because one country is more powerful than another, does not give the larger country to squash it. Yes, I realise this is a dog-eat-dog world, but there's a difference between "survival of the fittest" and being an asshole.

Just let us be. You guys are the superior country, no doubt in that. But just let us bloody be.