IC — Definition, examples, FAQs, and more

IC: a brief history

The idea behind IC is older than the abbreviation. Tabletop roleplaying games in the 1970s already depended on players and their characters being separate people, even though early rulebooks rarely had a short label for that split.

The abbreviations IC and OOC spread through early online text games such as MUDs and MUSHes, which grew popular through the late 1980s and 1990s. In a game made entirely of typed text, players needed a quick way to signal whether words belonged to the character or to the person typing, so the shorthand stuck. Many games went further and built the boundary into their code, with dedicated OOC channels, OOC lounges, or commands that tag a line as out of character.

The same distinction now underpins nearly every form of text roleplay, from play-by-post forums to chat and Discord roleplay, along with social norms that grew out of it, like IC actions equal IC consequences.

How it's used today

Players use the term “IC” whenever they want to clarify that something is happening as part of their character’s role within the game, not as themselves. It appears often in discussions, roleplay logs, or chat segments where actions or words should only be understood as coming from the fictional persona.

Types of games where the term is commonly used include:

MUD, MUSH, RPMUD, PbP, Chat RPG, Social media RPG, RPI, RPE, MMORPG.

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IC examples

• During a medieval fantasy game, a player describes their character’s actions as they cautiously enter a dark, ancient crypt, speaking in a dialect appropriate to their character’s background.
• In a science fiction RPG, a player decides their character, a seasoned starship captain, negotiates with alien traders using formal diplomatic language, reflecting their character’s experiences and status.
• In a modern supernatural game, a player’s character, a detective with a hidden magical ability, subtly uses their powers to gather clues, keeping their actions consistent with their secretive nature.
• During a post-apocalyptic survival game, a character speaks and acts with visible paranoia and distrust, influenced by their harsh experiences, which aligns with the game’s atmosphere and their backstory.

Myths and misconceptions

1. Being IC means you must always stay serious and can never have fun. However, being IC allows for a wide range of emotions and actions, depending on the character’s personality and the game’s setting.
2. Players must be excellent actors or writers to stay IC. While acting and writing skills can enhance roleplaying (in tabletop and text-based games respectively), consistency and immersion are more important than performance quality.
3. Staying IC means never making mistakes or breaking character, even for a moment. In reality, occasional slip-ups are common and can be easily repaired with a quick OOC note or gentle course correction.
4. IC behavior always reflects the views or beliefs of the player. Actions and opinions expressed by a character are guided by their fictional context and should not be assumed to represent the person behind the screen.
5. Everything said or done IC automatically counts as a game rule or real consequence. However, some IC actions may require moderator approval or may be considered non-canonical, depending on the game’s structure and guidelines.

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IC FAQs

How does IC differ from OOC?

IC refers to actions and communications that occur within the game’s universe, portraying the character’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. OOC, on the other hand, involves real-life conversations, comments, or actions by the players themselves, not their characters.

How do players show whether a message is IC or OOC?

Conventions vary by game. Many text-based games have separate IC and OOC channels, so where you type decides how the message reads. When the space is shared, players often wrap OOC comments in double parentheses ((like this)) or prefix them with “OOC:”. Anything written as your character, in dialogue or emotes, is treated as IC by default.

How important is staying IC for a roleplaying game?

It depends on the game. In casual games where roleplaying is allowed but not required, slipping out of character carries little cost. In games that require roleplay, staying IC is essential: it keeps the world believable for everyone present and keeps your character’s actions consistent with their backstory and the setting.

Can a player’s IC actions affect the game’s storyline?

Depends on the game. In a casual game or adventure game where the experience is expected to be consistent across playthroughs or follow a linear path, a player’s IC actions aren’t likely to have a big impact on the game world. In a choices-matter or roleplaying-heavy game, however, IC actions can significantly influence the storyline: decisions the character makes can open new plot developments, alter relationships with other characters, and shape the game’s world.

What should I do if I accidentally break character?

If you accidentally break character, it’s usually best to briefly acknowledge the mistake, apologize if necessary, and move forward. You can also work with the GM or other players to find a way to integrate or correct the slip within the game’s narrative.