What is RP in text-based games?
RP stands for “roleplay” or “roleplaying.” It’s the act of adopting the identity of a fictional character and making decisions as that character rather than as oneself.
Roleplay (RP) is the act of playing a character in a shared story. You think, speak, and act as that character, drawing on their background, personality, goals, and motivations, which can be very different from your own. While you’re acting as the character, you’re in character (IC); when you step out and talk as yourself, you’re out of character (OOC).
In text-based games, RP usually happens through typed actions and dialogue, so the story gets written collaboratively as it unfolds. No single person controls the outcome. Each player decides what their own character (PC) does, and the scene develops out of those choices.
The significance of RP comes from that shared authorship. It turns a game into a living story, builds relationships between characters over time, and lets a group create plots and whole worlds together that no one player planned alone. It’s a core part of many games, especially roleplaying games (RPGs), where storytelling and character development are the point rather than a side activity.
RP: a brief history
Roleplay grew out of tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeons & Dragons, where players create characters and act through stories run by a game master. Text-based roleplay followed not long after. MUD1, generally regarded as the first MUD (multi-user dungeon), was created in 1978 by Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle at the University of Essex, running on a DEC PDP-10. That early work connected multiple players in a single typed world and laid the groundwork for the online text roleplay communities that came later.
The practice has since spread into many formats, including video games, online forums, social media, and live-action roleplaying games (LARPs).
How it's used today
Players use the term RP in many online and text-based spaces where people create and act out stories using fictional characters. It appears in group chats, forums, and games that focus on interactive storytelling and shared creativity. RP is often used to describe both the activity itself and the sections of a game dedicated to roleplaying.
Types of games where the term is commonly used include:
MUD, MUSH, RPMUD, PbP, Chat RPG, Social media RPG, MMORPG, RPI, RPE, Talker, PvE, PvP.
RP examples
- A player controlling a wizard character chooses to negotiate with a group of bandits instead of attacking them, based on the wizard’s pacifist beliefs and diplomatic skills.
- In a historical RPG, a player embodies a medieval merchant, making trading and investment decisions that align with the character’s goals of wealth and social status.
- During a superhero-themed roleplaying session, a player decides their character, motivated by justice, will turn in a captured villain to the authorities rather than seeking revenge.
- In an online text-based roleplaying game, a player writes detailed posts about their character’s actions and reactions, incorporating the character’s fears, ambitions, and relationships.
Myths and misconceptions
- RP is only for children or is purely a form of escapism among adults. In reality, roleplaying is a creative and social activity enjoyed by people of all ages. It can be a powerful tool for storytelling, education, and psychological exploration.
- RP done via text is just playing pretend and has little value. When done via text, roleplaying is also an excellent way to hone one’s writing and collaboration skills.
- All RP involves magic, fantasy, or science fiction elements. While many popular roleplaying games are set in fantastical worlds, the essence of roleplaying lies in character-driven decision-making, which can apply to any genre or setting.
- RP always requires complicated rules or systems to be enjoyable or legitimate. In reality, many roleplaying communities and games focus more on collaborative storytelling and character interaction than on strict mechanics or dice rolls.
- Only experienced writers or actors can roleplay well in text-based games. Anyone can participate in RP, regardless of their writing background—creativity and willingness to engage are far more important than technical skill or experience.
RP FAQs
What are the various uses of the term RP?
RP is a versatile acronym that can refer to the act of roleplaying, the verb “to roleplay,” or the adjective roleplay. For example, in terms like “RP immersion” and “RP culture,” RP is an adjective that highlights the roleplay aspect of these terms.
How does roleplaying differ from acting?
While both involve taking on roles different from oneself, roleplaying is typically more interactive and less scripted than acting. In roleplaying, the player has more freedom to make decisions for their character, influencing the narrative’s direction.
Can RP improve social skills?
Yes, RP can enhance social skills such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving. By portraying different characters and their emotions, players can gain insights into various perspectives and improve their ability to interact with others.
See: 7 Great reasons to play a text-based RPG.
Is RP limited to fantasy settings?
No, RP is not confined to fantasy settings. It can occur in any setting, including historical, modern, futuristic, or entirely fictional universes. Roleplaying games that span different universes are said to be crossover games.
Crossover games allow players of different fandoms to roleplay their favorite canon characters (CCs) together.
How important is consistency in RP?
Consistency is often more important in RP than skill at writing or performing. By keeping things consistent, the player maintains their character’s believability and depth. Players should strive to make choices that align with their character’s established traits and backstory.
When a PC acts out of character, it can sometimes take the form of passive-aggressive RP, which is a sign that the player’s negative feelings are influencing their roleplay.
How can I get started roleplaying?
To get started as a new roleplayer, it’s usually as easy as finding a game that appeals to you and jumping in. RP can happen in many different types of games, from MMORPGs to MUDs, and isn’t limited to a specific genre or setting.
See: Beginner’s guide to roleplaying with text.
Should players keep IC and OOC separate?
Yes. A core convention of roleplay is that in-character actions do not equal out-of-character intent, so what a character knows, feels, or does should never be assumed to reflect the player behind them.
What is an RP hook?
An RP hook is an element of a character, scene, or backstory designed to give other players an easy, in-character reason to start roleplaying with you, such as a mysterious reputation, an unusual occupation, or an unresolved conflict.
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