The RolePlay Experience

As I read over my own blog, toot my own horn, and all that jazz, I've realized that, although I talk about roleplay a WHOLE LOT, I've never really explained or demonstrated what roleplay IS.

Role play (RP) is simply pretending to be someone or something to simulate an experience, usually interacting with others doing the same. People RolePlay to have an experience - and experience that real life limitations will usually prevent. Gunfights, hoverships, magical powers - nothing is beyond your reach in roleplay. There's an enormous number of roleplay-themed Second Life communities based around every conceivable theme and narrative -- I'm still astounded there's a small but active one based on courtier life in Louis the XIV's Versailles -- and just as many rule sets by which they're self-governed.

Roleplay 101 -
There are a few rules when it comes to roleplay. One, you can't be afraid to lose or take a hit. It shows respect and the sign of a good roleplayer that isn't afraid to lose. Props make an outfit and sometimes a character - which also ties into my next rule: get into character. If that means spending a few linden on getting an outfit decker out prims, so be it. But that also means if you're in a Harry Potter roleplay - get into character by reading the book or watching the movie and visualizing what kind of person you would portray in that universe. Rule four: Play outside the box. If that means playing a woman as a man, or switching your race to that of an alien or a vampire, not only does it open a lot of doors, but it also pushes your limits as a writer and roleplayer. Step Five - cause a scene. You have your character and your clothes, but getting started when you don't know anyone is hard. Ask for help in character, or for a cigarette, or for direction - knowing a few good real life icebreakers really helps.

"There are vast differences between IMs, OOC, and IC. Learning the difference in these 3 types of communication and how each one is perceived by others is key to good roleplaying.

You’re minding your own business at some rp sim when you get an IM from someone admiring your outfit. You are fighting someone and after being defeated, you receive an IM telling you it was a good fight. You are about to start a scene with someone, and you get an IMtelling you what they will or will not do with you. You are roleplaying with some people when suddenly someone posts ((be right back)), another answers ((kk)) and when that person posts ((back)) everyone around posts ((wb)). All these conversations have one thing in common; they are all OOC. At any point, when you are contacted in IMs you should consider these conversations OOC. In that regard, if you IM someone, when in an RP sim, be it another character, a GM assisting you with a problem, or a vendor that sold you a item, you should make sure this is conducted OOC. Vendors and GMs especially do not have the need to deal with you IC since they are providing their services OOC.

There is a reason why this avenue is kept OOC. This is the only safe place to conduct an OOC conversation that would keep it out of the ears of others around you. Most RP sims do not like it when players are having long extended conversations of OOC matters in public chat. OOC in public chat is highlighted by surrounding the OOC text in brackets such as ((I’m still rezzing)) or [[gimme a second]]. Because everyone is IC, it become very disruptive when you pass by or are nearby OOC conversations. Be conscious of how you affect others and move your OOC conversations over to IM’s or group chat. It allows others to think clearly about what they will say and avoid issues and/or misunderstandings.

Another major thing to keep in mind is going off on or threatening another character in OOC speak or IMs. Most if not all sims will swiftly penalize you anything from a few days or weeks ban up to and including permanent expulsion from the sim. Do not unleash your anger at another player in OOC comments or IMs. If you have an issue with another player, work it out in a civil fashion or call a GM to assist. If you don’t know the rules, read them carefully before beginning to RP. Failure to be knowledgeable about the rules does not mean you will not be punished if you violate a rule." - Diary of a Roleplayer

Roleplayers are not required to check your profile for RP limits. Some will do so but most will not. It is your responsibility to inform others of your limits.
If you have informed the other players of your RP limits and they are violated, you may call a GM to assist.
If you have roleplay limits you may find yourself with little or no interaction from other players.
Some roleplayers have chosen to adapt the RP limits of those they interact with, thus if a player states no mutilation, they cannot perform it on the other player.
In some sims, a long list of RP limits will be seen by other players as a sign of a Camper.
If you have RP limits, consider joining an RP sim that better accommodates your tastes. Dark RP sims like Lost Angels and Crack Den have activities ranging from odd to extremely bizarre. Think of this as a movie; if you don’t like slasher flicks don’t watch these types of movies. You may not be actively participating in these limits but you will encounter players doing RP about it with other players.

AFK – Away From Keyboard

Avatar – also known as avi or AV for short. A computer representation of you or your alter ego within Second Life.

Camper – a player that camps out a roleplay sim with the intent to rack up points for their combat meters to level up, but refuse to RP or will go AFK or Away while accumulating points.

Corpse Camping – after defeating a player, you defeat them again as soon as they recoup some of their energy. This differs from battle where someone you defeated is revived and continues to fight. In this case a second defeat would not be classified as corpse camping.

Fade to Black – also known as FTB. Used if you don’t agree with how an RP is going. You simply announce Fade to Black and the scene ends there.

GM – Game Moderator also known as Admin to be called when violations of the rules occur, issues with the game itself, or questions and or assistance related to the RP.

GODMODDING – Playing God – for example being immune to all types of influence, injury, issues, or being almighty above everything and everyone.

HUD – Heads Up Display

IC – In Character- for example speaking as your character

LARP - Live Action Role Play

METAGAMING - Using OOC commentary or reading tags and using the information in your RP without having discovered it IC.

NOCOM – This is what you are told you are if you meter is off. When your meter is off you cannot take damage and you are in non-cobatitive mode. Generally when your meter is off, you are not allowed to RP simply because if a fight breaks out, you will not take any damage.

NPC - Also known as Non-Player Character. Commonly used to serve as assault teams or temporary characters in sim-wide role play. NPCs usually will arrive to attack everyone in the sim giving players a chance to unite with each other to defeat the threat.

OOC - Out of Character – for example making comments or asking questions that are not part of the scene or not being said as your character.

((brb)) – OOC be right back
((k)) or ((kk)) – OOC ok
((wb)) – OOC welcome back
READING TAGS – Reading an avatar’s name or description to use in the RP without having discovered it IC. Also see METAGAMING.

RPC – Role Play Coordinator. Assists with creating and moderating role play in a sim.

RP - Roleplay.

RP Limits – A list of things you will not do or participate in at a RP sim.

Safe Zone – An area in an RP sim that is free of RP or IC activity.

Skills - The powers your character has such as healing yourself or other, inflicting damage on opponents, or giving armor to others.

Titler – An object that allows a title to show above your head. Usually used for RP sims.

XP - Experience Points – Earned by time in the sim or awarded for good roleplay. As you accumulate XP you go up in levels and gain additional skills.


Ive given the basics, now its up to anyone who reads this to use this knowledge in world. Roleplaying is one of my favorite pastimes and I love doing it.