Any advice for a complete noob for running a group RP? [Sci-Fi specific]

[TinyPuddleGhost]

Eugh the title sounds pretty bland and unsuspecting but unfortunately I have no other way to ask. I've been roleplaying for about 8+(? Kind of loosing count) years but I've only really participated in 1x1 Roleplay. I get a little awkward when it comes to groups and I have a tendency to get a teeny bit overwhelmed if I'm getting several messages at once. However, I have had the occasional desire to branch out into group RP's as I've seen a few that seem quite fun.

Recently I've come up with an idea that I think would make for a nice group RP, it takes place in a post-apocalyptic Sci-fi world after humanity had to escape earth due to pollution from the technological advancements humans made. People were essentially sent out in "Bionic Sleep" pods that preserved their bodies for a few hundred years to different planets so the human race could start anew. One of the major antagonists of this plot created a faction by the name of "The E.V.E Republic" on the planet she landed on. This is where the RP takes place in. It has a bit of eroticism to it as the concept of the game revolves around a society rooted in female domination but I can see this concept being used in non-erotic contexts as well as dominant men are allowed to participate.

Currently right now I plan to make this RP more freeform than system-based similar to The White Lotus as to not cause myself too much stress but rather than being completely sandbox there are certain criteria players need to follow in terms of character creation and they have to at least pay a little attention to the lore. Not sure if that makes it more system based or not because I'm just that new to it lol.

Do y'all have any suggestions for me on how to approve my plot or any suggestions for a player who's been doing 1x1 RP's for like her whole RP "career" and wants to dive right into Group RP? I'll hear pretty much anybody out. I also have a Google Doc of the RP concept as far as I've developed it on hand that I can send over private message if anybody would like to take a look at it. It's still a WIP so forgive if there are missing/unfinished portions.

Thanks in advance for the help

[FoxgirlJay]

One of the biggest hurdles of group RPs is probably the same for 1x1... Just that there's more people. And, the "problem" is that people are just different from one another. The same happens for TTRPG groups played IRL.

Different expectations of what the game offers or what it should be about can lead to conflict, disagreements, group splits, etc. Very clearly state what you want the game to be about, what kind of content it will have for both erotic and non-erotic scenarios. And then make sure it stays within that vision.

The next one can be hard. I find that group games also need stricter enforcement of posts per week, or whatever requirement you as the person running the game, have set. If a game is being dragged down by one person not keeping up with the agreement to post however often, you're often going to be left with two choices. Drop that player, or lose the whole group game. It sucks either way. That's not to say, drop someone as soon as they don't meet the requirement, only if it becomes a habit.

As the person running a group game, a firm hand is often required to keep things running smoothly. More than in a 1x1, you set the pace and flow of the game. It's akin to being the dungeon master in D&D or anything else like that, whether or not you're using a System.