Synchronous RP — Definition, examples, FAQs, and more

Synchronous RP: a brief history

The words synchronous and asynchronous were not invented by roleplayers. They come from computing and communications, and by roughly the 1990s they were widely used in writing about online communication and distance learning to separate live chat from slower formats like email and message boards.

The style of play is older than the label. Live text roleplay goes back to the first MUDs of the late 1970s and 1980s, and it became the normal way to play on MUSHes and in chatrooms through the 1990s. Slower formats existed alongside it: play-by-mail games, then play-by-email, then forum roleplay. On a MUD or MUSH, live play was the default, so players generally had no need for a special word. They just called it RP.

There is no clear record of who first applied “synchronous” to roleplay or when. The label seems to have become more common as more communities started to offer both styles in one place. Discord servers often host live scenes and slow threads in the same community, and some newer MUSH platforms, such as AresMUSH, added web tools that let a scene continue when the players can’t all be online together. Once both options exist in the same community, players need words to say which one they mean, and “sync” and “async” are generally used for that.

How it's used today

You’ll see the term most often in places where both live and slow roleplay are possible, such as Discord roleplay servers and roleplay partner ads. Players use it to say what pace they want, for example “looking for sync RP, evenings Eastern time.” Server rules and channel descriptions also use it to mark which channels are for live scenes.

On MUDs, classic MUSHes, and roleplay-intensive (RPI) games, most of the roleplay is synchronous, because characters can only interact while their players are logged in. Players there rarely use the term and just say “RP” or “a scene.” It usually comes up when someone compares these games to forum or Discord roleplay, or when a game offers a way to play scenes asynchronously.

Most games have etiquette for live scenes. Many follow a pose order so everyone gets a turn, and players are expected to say so OOC if they need to go AFK or leave early.

Types of games where the term is commonly used include:

MUSHes, MUDs, RPIs, chat roleplay, Discord roleplay servers

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Synchronous RP examples

• A roleplay partner ad on a Discord server reads: “Looking for sync RP partners, fantasy or sci-fi, free most evenings Eastern time.”
• Four players on a MUSH meet in a tavern room at 8 p.m. They take turns posing for two hours, then wrap up the scene before everyone logs off.
• Partway through a live scene, a player says OOC: “I have to leave in 20 minutes. Can we finish this live, or should we switch to async?”
• A game master schedules a plot scene for Saturday afternoon, at a time that works for both the European and the American players.

Myths and misconceptions

1. Synchronous RP means you have to reply instantly. Live doesn’t mean instant. A few minutes between posts is normal, and longer or more detailed posts take more time to write. Most groups only expect you to stay present during the scene, and to let the others know OOC if you need a longer break.
2. Synchronous RP is the “real” way to roleplay, and asynchronous RP is a lesser version. Neither style is better. Live play gives you fast conversation and immediate reactions. Asynchronous play suits people with busy schedules or distant time zones, and it gives writers more time for each post. Which one you prefer mostly depends on your schedule and how you like to write.
3. A game or community is either synchronous or asynchronous. Many communities support both. A Discord server can have live channels and slow threads, some MUSH platforms let players continue a scene from a web page after the live session ends, and a single scene can start live and finish asynchronously.

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Synchronous RP FAQs

What is the difference between synchronous roleplay and asynchronous roleplay?

In synchronous roleplay, everyone is online at the same time and replies within minutes. In asynchronous roleplay, players reply when they have time, so a single scene can take days or weeks. The writing itself is similar. The difference is the pace, and whether you need to schedule time together.

Is synchronous RP done by voice or by text?

It can be either. A tabletop session played over voice chat is also synchronous, because everyone is present together. In text-based games and on this site, the term means typed roleplay, where players write their characters’ actions and speech in a chat window or game client.

How long does a synchronous RP scene last?

It depends on the group. One to a few hours is common, since that is about how long most people can sit down to play in one session. Large scenes with many characters tend to run longer, because each player waits for more people between turns.

Where can you find synchronous RP?

Text-based multiplayer games such as MUDs, MUSHes, and RPIs are built around live play, so most roleplay there is synchronous. Discord roleplay servers and chatrooms also host live scenes, often alongside slower asynchronous ones. Public social spots in a game, such as a tavern, are common places to find a live scene.

What should you do if you have to leave in the middle of a live scene?

Tell the other players OOC as soon as you know, so they can plan around it. The usual options are to write your character out of the scene, to pause and continue the scene another day, or to finish it asynchronously if the game or server allows that. If you go idle without saying anything, the other players are left waiting for your turn, so a short notice is considered polite.