Mountain Interactive offers immersive role-playing experiences that rely on the engagement and respect of the community. Following role-playing etiquette ensures everyone enjoys the game world without disruptions. This guide outlines essential rules, common violations, and best practices for role-playing within our games.
What is Role-Playing (RP)?
In role-playing, players assume characters and interact within a fictional game world as if they are that character. Whether you're a police officer, civilian, or a business owner, the goal is to act according to your character’s personality and the game’s environment. This immersion enhances the overall experience for everyone involved.
General Role-Playing Etiquette
To maintain high-quality RP in Mountain Interactive, please follow these general guidelines:
Stay in Character (IC)
Always behave as if you are your character. Whether you’re responding to a police stop or interacting with other players in a civilian setting, your actions should reflect the role you're playing. Avoid talking about out-of-game topics in character.Respect Other Players
Treat all participants with respect, both in-character and out-of-character (OOC). This includes refraining from harassment, trolling, or ruining another player's RP experience through poor behavior or malicious intent.Realism is Key
The goal of RP is to simulate real-life situations in a fictional world. Strive to keep your actions grounded in reality and avoid exaggerated or unrealistic behavior that disrupts the game environment.Follow Storylines
Adhere to ongoing storylines and established world rules. Don’t derail a situation for personal gain or to create unnecessary conflict. Everyone's immersion depends on players maintaining the flow of the game.Use Appropriate Language
Keep language appropriate to the context of the game and avoid offensive or vulgar terms that could detract from the experience. Any out-of-character conflicts should be resolved outside the game environment through appropriate channels.
Common Role-Playing Violations
Breaking role-playing etiquette can lead to disruptions and negatively affect other players' experiences. Avoid these common violations:
Metagaming
This occurs when a player uses out-of-character information to influence their in-character actions. For example, knowing another player's plan from OOC communication and using it to your advantage in-game is considered metagaming.Powergaming
Powergaming refers to forcing actions on others without giving them the opportunity to react. For example, if your character claims to knock someone out without allowing the other player to respond or defend themselves, that is considered powergaming. Always give others the chance to play their part in a scenario.Breaking Character
Switching between OOC and IC without clear distinction can ruin the immersion. For example, talking about game mechanics or real-life issues during an intense RP scenario is breaking character.Failing to Value Life (RDM/VDM)
Random Deathmatching (RDM) or Vehicle Deathmatching (VDM) are common violations where players engage in violent acts without proper RP context. This behavior disrupts the role-playing atmosphere and is subject to immediate penalties.Out-of-Character Chat Abuse
Using OOC chat to complain, argue, or berate other players is highly discouraged. OOC chat should be used sparingly and only for clarifications related to game mechanics or minor issues. Larger disputes should be handled through proper support channels.
Guidelines for Specific Roles
Different roles in the game come with unique expectations:
Law Enforcement (LEO): Officers should follow the in-game law, respond to calls realistically, and handle situations with professionalism. Unrealistic behavior (e.g., shooting on sight without cause) is not tolerated.
Civilian Roles: Civilians should contribute to the world through meaningful interactions—whether running a business, engaging in legal disputes, or interacting with other characters in a non-violent way. Avoid acting like a "superhero" or vigilante unless your character has a storyline that justifies it.
Criminal Roles: Criminal activities should be carried out with caution and reason. Random violence without justification breaks immersion and often leads to penalties.
Reporting Role-Playing Violations
If you witness or experience role-playing violations that disrupt your experience, report the incident through the Player Report System. Include details such as the player's name, the event's time, and any relevant screenshots or videos.
Use the Player Report Form to file your complaint.
Provide context, including how the violation affected your role-playing experience.
Our moderation team will investigate the issue and take appropriate action, ensuring that all players follow the guidelines.
Improving Your Role-Playing Experience
Collaborate with Others: Building a storyline with other players enhances immersion and makes the game more enjoyable for everyone.
Develop Your Character: Think about your character’s motivations, backstory, and how they would realistically interact with the world around them.
Be Adaptive: Role-playing often involves unpredictable events. Adapt to situations as they unfold and avoid getting frustrated when things don’t go as planned.
Penalties for Violating Role-Playing Etiquette
Violating RP rules can lead to consequences, ranging from warnings to temporary or permanent bans from the game. Repeated violations or extreme cases (e.g., trolling, harassment) may lead to more severe actions.
Need Further Assistance?
If you have questions about role-playing rules or need clarification on any of the guidelines, you can contact the Moderation Team via the Mountain Support Ticket Embed on Discord.