Clueless RP server question

[Echo Weaver]

So.... I've played a lot of two- and three-person multiplayer VS, just us together on a single base helping each other out.

I tried to hang out with a group on a new hosted server and found that I had NO IDEA what I wanted to do with it. And that was a brand new hosted server, not one where a bunch of people were already playing.

I love the idea of RP in general, and this seems like a great setting to RP in, but what does that look like minute-by-minute? What do folks do? 

Also, do folks set times to be online together, or do they just hope some folks will be on when they are, or do they even care?

 

[LadyWYT]

22 minutes ago, Echo Weaver said:

I love the idea of RP in general, and this seems like a great setting to RP in, but what does that look like minute-by-minute? What do folks do? 

Also, do folks set times to be online together, or do they just hope some folks will be on when they are, or do they even care?

Really depends on the server/player group. As a general rule, I would say that most serious RP tends to have events set for specific times, much like a TTRPG, while most casual RP tends to just happen whenever, with whoever happens to be around.

As for exactly what happens in RP instances, that hinges heavily on the premise agreed upon for the server/group. Not everyone sticks to the vanilla lore--some add their own details, or just scrap vanilla and write up their own setting. Likewise, how the RP unfolds also depends on the expectations for IC and OOC communication; RP relying on voice proximity chat will have a different feel to it than RP relying on text channels.

In my personal experience playing with friends, we don't RP at all in-game. We have a play-by-post RP thread running on Discord for the in-character shenanigans, as that's an easier way to pack more detail into the story, that you just can't do in-game.

Edited July 15, 2025 by LadyWYT

[Shotai]

19 minutes ago, LadyWYT said:

Really depends on the server/player group. As a general rule, I would say that most serious RP tends to have events set for specific times, much like a TTRPG, while most casual RP tends to just happen whenever, with whoever happens to be around.

As for exactly what happens in RP instances, that hinges heavily on the premise agreed upon for the server/group. Not everyone sticks to the vanilla lore--some add their own details, or just scrap vanilla and write up their own setting. Likewise, how the RP unfolds also depends on the expectations for IC and OOC communication; RP relying on voice proximity chat will have a different feel to it than RP relying on text channels.

In my personal experience playing with friends, we don't RP at all in-game. We have a play-by-post RP thread running on Discord for the in-character shenanigans, as that's an easier way to pack more detail into the story, that you just can't do in-game.

That's text based RP. It's a lot of fun! I think what Echo is looking for is RP in the game, which is popular for GTA/Ark/Rust, other survival games.

The difference is depending on the rules. You'll find that RP communities are 95% of the time, white listed communities. You need to read a list of rules and then answer questions at the end in the majority of those RP communities. There are events yes, but these servers are usually always 24/7 servers that you get on and vibe with: with community ran events planned weeks or a month ahead of time, and built up to. For example, ARK roleplaying servers has auctions, parties, and tavern RP's where people socializing as their character playing a specific role.

Rules are a big decider like you said. Raiding rules are important because that can downright destroy a community, if a specific group is let to run wild on the server like it's a display of superiority. Games are major deciders in the general atmosphere, too. GTA is chaotic as fuck. ARK RP servers tend to be significantly more strict and therefore less 'Gary the defacer is running around defacing people kekw'.

TTRPG's on the other hand are a lot more tight knit and coordinated (LMAO! Imagine showing up for a game 2 weeks in a row haha) without any chance for random interactions. On the other hand, If you are on an Ark RP server; you can be getting metal, chopping wood, you could even be AFK in your house and you hear an RP going on. So you can decide, hey, I'm gonna give these strangers some fun RP.

There are some struggles that you'll find in RP communities centered around games, I mentioned some already. Like how factions develop in these communities that cause drama and servers splitting apart because of it. Sometimes a staff member is promoted that causes division. Sometimes time passes and hardened, seasoned community members are all that remains; choking the life force out from newcomers due to lets say, unrestrained behaviors.

Popular examples for rules are ARKRP (they took a break, I think) and DayzRP among many others. You can get a general idea of the rules that are implimented there.

There are other topics too. Like how some servers divide labor, others promote anarchy as long as you remain in the rules; others require strict living standards just to play the game with that community. But that's a lot more of typing.