A Beginner's Guide To Text-Based Roleplay
Welcome to GTARP:Network.
If you are coming from a traditional FiveM voice roleplay server, text roleplay may seem strange at first.
Many players assume text roleplay is simply voice roleplay written in chat.
It is not.
Text roleplay allows players to describe actions, emotions, thoughts, surroundings, injuries, reactions, and situations in far greater detail than voice roleplay ever could.
The purpose of this guide is to teach the fundamentals of text roleplay and help new players become comfortable within the world of GTARP:Network.
1. What Is Roleplay?
Roleplay is collaborative storytelling.
Every player controls a character living inside the same world.
You are not playing as yourself.
You are playing as a fictional character with their own:
- Personality.
- Goals.
- Strengths.
- Weaknesses.
- History.
- Relationships.
- Beliefs.
Roleplay is not about winning.
Roleplay is about creating stories.
The best roleplayers are not the richest.
The best roleplayers are not the strongest.
The best roleplayers are the characters people remember months later.
2. The Golden Rule Of Roleplay
Before doing anything, ask yourself:
"Will this create enjoyable roleplay for everyone involved?"
If the answer is no, reconsider your actions.
Good roleplayers create opportunities for others.
Bad roleplayers only create opportunities for themselves.
3. Roleplay Is Not A Competition
One of the most common mistakes new players make is treating roleplay like a game to win.
Roleplay is not about:
- Winning every fight.
- Escaping every arrest.
- Never being wrong.
- Always being successful.
- Getting rich as quickly as possible.
- Being the most powerful character.
Real people fail.
Real people lose.
Real people make mistakes.
Failure creates stories.
Success without struggle creates boring characters.
4. IC vs OOC
Understanding IC and OOC is one of the most important parts of roleplay.
IC (In Character)
Everything your character knows.
Examples:
- Things they witnessed.
- Things they heard.
- Things they learned through roleplay.
- Things they personally experienced.
OOC (Out Of Character)
Everything outside roleplay.
Examples:
- Discord.
- Forums.
- UCP.
- Streams.
- Real life.
- Staff information.
- Reports.
- Appeals.
- Information from another character.
Your character cannot magically know OOC information.
5. Creating A Character
The best characters are flawed.
When creating a character, ask yourself:
What does my character want?
Examples:
- Start a business.
- Become wealthy.
- Join law enforcement.
- Build a criminal organization.
- Create a family.
- Become a politician.
What is my character good at?
Examples:
- Negotiation.
- Leadership.
- Driving.
- Public speaking.
What is my character bad at?
Examples:
- Anger management.
- Authority.
- Money management.
- Social interaction.
- Relationships.
Weaknesses make characters interesting.
Perfect characters are boring.
6. Character Development
Nobody starts important.
Nobody starts famous.
Nobody starts powerful.
Everything should be earned through roleplay.
Character development takes time.
The best stories often take weeks or months to develop.
Do not rush your character.
Enjoy the journey.
7. What Is /me?
/me is used to describe actions performed by your character.
Bad Example:
Good Example:
Better Example:
The goal is to help other players visualize the scene.
8. What Is /do?
/do describes the world around your character.
Think of /do as information everyone can see.
Bad Example:
Good Example:
Examples:
9. /me vs /do
A simple rule:
/me = What your character does
/do = What exists around your character
Example:
10. What Is /ame?
/ame creates a short visual description above your character.
Examples:
Keep /ame short and visual.
11. What Is /ado?
/ado creates a persistent scene description.
Examples:
Use /ado to leave information behind for future roleplay.
12. Showing Emotions
Voice roleplay allows players to hear emotions.
Text roleplay requires players to describe emotions.
Instead of:
Try:
Instead of:
Try:
Show emotions.
Don't simply announce them.
13. Fear Roleplay
Your character should value their life.
If somebody points a gun at your head, your character should be afraid.
If five armed individuals surround your character, your character should be afraid.
If your character is severely injured, your character should be afraid.
Fear creates believable roleplay.
Characters who never fear consequences become unrealistic.
14. Injury Roleplay
Injuries should have consequences.
A broken arm should affect your character.
A gunshot wound should affect your character.
A concussion should affect your character.
Do not instantly recover from serious injuries.
Roleplay recovery realistically.
15. Criminal Roleplay
Good criminal roleplay is much more than violence.
Good criminal roleplay includes:
- Planning.
- Networking.
- Recruitment.
- Negotiation.
- Smuggling.
- Extortion.
- Business fronts.
- Influence.
The best criminals are often the ones who rarely use violence.
16. Law Enforcement Roleplay
Police roleplay is not simply arresting people.
Good police roleplay includes:
- Investigations.
- Evidence gathering.
- Witness interviews.
- Community interaction.
- Intelligence work.
- Report writing.
The investigation often creates more roleplay than the arrest itself.
17. Business Roleplay
Businesses should create opportunities for roleplay.
A good business owner:
- Advertises.
- Hires employees.
- Hosts events.
- Builds relationships.
- Creates roleplay for customers.
Businesses should be social hubs.
Not passive income generators.
18. Conflict Roleplay
Not every disagreement needs violence.
Examples of conflict:
- Business competition.
- Political disagreements.
- Family disputes.
- Rivalries.
- Lawsuits.
- Betrayal.
- Blackmail.
Violence should usually be a last resort.
19. Long-Term Storytelling
The best roleplay stories take time.
Think about:
- What your character wants.
- What your character fears.
- Who your character trusts.
- How your character changes.
- What your character will be doing next month.
Long-term stories are what make text roleplay special.
20. Common Mistakes
Metagaming
Using OOC information IC.
Powergaming
Forcing outcomes onto other players.
Main Character Syndrome
Believing every story should revolve around your character.
Rush Roleplay
Trying to become important overnight.
Win Mentality
Treating roleplay as something to win.
Avoid these mistakes and your roleplay will improve dramatically.
21. Final Advice
Some of the most memorable characters:
- Never became rich.
- Never became faction leaders.
- Never became famous.
They became memorable because they created stories.
Make mistakes.
Take risks.
Develop relationships.
Create opportunities for others.
Most importantly:
Do Not Try To Win Roleplay.
Create Roleplay.
Create Roleplay.
GTARP:Network