I've had this problem several times in the past in other MMOs/RPs. That said, I'll be the first to admit that I probably could have handled the situation better, particularly in the ways that impact those who said character played with. While I didn't really do major knee-jerk reactions, I used to be pretty bad about just sort of stepping back whenever I'd hit those walls and not really know what to do. It'd wind up in this vicious cycle:
When this would happen, I'd usually try my best to at least stay in touch OOCly with people in case they'd need me to discuss their own stuff if they were still playing-- but sometimes it was some portion of my 'main' partners who were the problem in the first place and so I would naturally distance myself altogether, often times as a defense mechanism for my own IRL pscyhe (not wanting to upset them, for example.) This was the worst back when I was first getting into the MMO RP scene though and I've honestly learned a lot about what particular sort of things seem to alienate me and how to watch for the IC warning signs early enough to divert them.Â
I've also learned that, personally, one of the best ways of dealing with this problem nowadays is OOC communication before IC actions. I find talking with the partners most involved and just expressing my unhappiness (without accusing anyone, of course) has worked wonders. Generally, if you're unhappy, your partners have already picked up on that and the quality of the RPs has already deteriorated-- which means your partners, too, would probably like a change. So often, I've been able to resolve the problem by just opening the lines of communication and asking for help on brainstorming how to fix it. That way, everyone gets a say, and they might have ideas I hadn't even thought of. Frankly, some of the storylines that I've loved most have been born from these exact conversations where we come up with new plots or angles that help really re-ignite my love for the character or at least otherwise get them back on track where I want them.
I also find that, like others have already mentioned, I'm better off doing my best to stay flexible and open to change. I've had countless characters now who started as one thing but, over time, evolved into something completely different as a result of their interactions. (Carefree and chaotic neutral wanderer turns into burdened, chaotic good anti-hero. Villain who spends the first few years of his IC life garnering hatred and fear from the RPC slowly begins to lose his power and shift in his alignment thanks to the efforts of a dedicated few-- and oh my god, the intrigue and consequences that result. I love conflict myself though and I also enjoyed the fact that he would be forever polarized for his past actions. He would never be forgiven in most ways and the threat of someone killing him-- for damn good reasons-- was very real.) Again though-- OOC communication played a major role in helping those transitions stay comfortable for myself and the others involved.
If all else fails though? It's time for a break. Seriously. I just try to do myself a favor these days and /recognize/ when I need these breaks rather than just taking them without warning. At least then I have time to come up with an IC reason why said character isn't around. That way, if my motivation comes back, I've hopefully mitigated the damage to others' characters and can return when I'm ready-- hopefully without anyone having hard feelings. I try not to do anything that can't be undone though, because I never know when the urge might strike.
Unhappy with developments, but lost on how to fix it ->Â
Stop playing character while trying to figure it out ->Â
Procrastinate coming up with a solution due to stress, drama, fear, etc. ->Â
Suddenly realize the character has been MIA without warning for months at a time, or I myself have been MIA while stuck in this rut. Which honestly only makes it worse. Dx
When this would happen, I'd usually try my best to at least stay in touch OOCly with people in case they'd need me to discuss their own stuff if they were still playing-- but sometimes it was some portion of my 'main' partners who were the problem in the first place and so I would naturally distance myself altogether, often times as a defense mechanism for my own IRL pscyhe (not wanting to upset them, for example.) This was the worst back when I was first getting into the MMO RP scene though and I've honestly learned a lot about what particular sort of things seem to alienate me and how to watch for the IC warning signs early enough to divert them.Â
I've also learned that, personally, one of the best ways of dealing with this problem nowadays is OOC communication before IC actions. I find talking with the partners most involved and just expressing my unhappiness (without accusing anyone, of course) has worked wonders. Generally, if you're unhappy, your partners have already picked up on that and the quality of the RPs has already deteriorated-- which means your partners, too, would probably like a change. So often, I've been able to resolve the problem by just opening the lines of communication and asking for help on brainstorming how to fix it. That way, everyone gets a say, and they might have ideas I hadn't even thought of. Frankly, some of the storylines that I've loved most have been born from these exact conversations where we come up with new plots or angles that help really re-ignite my love for the character or at least otherwise get them back on track where I want them.
I also find that, like others have already mentioned, I'm better off doing my best to stay flexible and open to change. I've had countless characters now who started as one thing but, over time, evolved into something completely different as a result of their interactions. (Carefree and chaotic neutral wanderer turns into burdened, chaotic good anti-hero. Villain who spends the first few years of his IC life garnering hatred and fear from the RPC slowly begins to lose his power and shift in his alignment thanks to the efforts of a dedicated few-- and oh my god, the intrigue and consequences that result. I love conflict myself though and I also enjoyed the fact that he would be forever polarized for his past actions. He would never be forgiven in most ways and the threat of someone killing him-- for damn good reasons-- was very real.) Again though-- OOC communication played a major role in helping those transitions stay comfortable for myself and the others involved.
If all else fails though? It's time for a break. Seriously. I just try to do myself a favor these days and /recognize/ when I need these breaks rather than just taking them without warning. At least then I have time to come up with an IC reason why said character isn't around. That way, if my motivation comes back, I've hopefully mitigated the damage to others' characters and can return when I'm ready-- hopefully without anyone having hard feelings. I try not to do anything that can't be undone though, because I never know when the urge might strike.
Always looking for new connections!