This guide covers where text roleplay came from, the main formats, the terms you'll see, and how to write a first post people want to answer.
A short history of text-based roleplay
According to Wikipedia:
- 1978: MUD1, the first multi-user dungeon, starts the line of text games that eventually led to today's online role-playing games.
- Mid-to-late 1980s: play-by-post games appear on bulletin board systems, with players posting their turns on message boards.
- Later: text roleplay spreads to internet forums, IRC chat networks, email, chat rooms and social networks.
The tools changed, but the core never did: people building a story together, one written turn at a time.
The main formats
| Format | How it works | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-post (forums) | Players post longer turns on a forum thread, often once a day or less | Slow; long, detailed posts |
| Chat roleplay | Short turns in a chat room or chat server, in real time | Fast; short replies |
| MUDs and text game servers | A game server runs the world; players type actions and dialogue | Real time, with game rules |
| Moderated games | A moderator or game master runs events and plays the side characters | Depends on the group |
| AI story apps | You write your character's turn; an AI writes the other characters and the scene | Instant, solo |
Wikipedia also describes two writing styles that still apply: script format, which is mostly spoken lines, and story format, which describes actions, surroundings and events as well.
Common terms in text roleplay
These are community terms you'll meet in most groups. Exact rules vary, so read each group's guidelines.
- IC / OOC: in character and out of character. Out-of-character notes are usually put in brackets or double parentheses.
- Para / multi-para: a reply that's one paragraph or several. Many groups state the length they expect.
- Godmodding: controlling someone else's character, or making yours impossible to affect. It's almost always against the rules.
- Metagaming: using information your character couldn't know.
- Starter: the first post that opens a scene. See our guide to writing a roleplay starter.
How to start text-based roleplay
- Choose a format that fits your time. Forums suit people who want to write long turns slowly; chat suits quick back-and-forth; an AI story app suits solo play at any hour.
- Read the group's rules first. Post length, tense, content limits and age rules differ between communities.
- Make a character with one present goal. You don't need a full biography; one thing they want right now is enough. Our guide to playing yourself or a character helps you decide whose voice to use.
- Write a starter that's easy to answer. Give a place, your character doing something, a reason to interact and an open end.
- Give each turn one intention and one action, and leave the other player room to respond. See how to write roleplay dialogue.
Text roleplay etiquette and safety
- Don't write other players' reactions. Let them decide what their character feels and does.
- Keep real personal information out of the story, and be careful sharing contact details in public groups.
- Respect content limits and age rules. Adult themes belong only in adult spaces, among adults who have agreed to them.
- Use OOC to check in if a scene is heading somewhere a partner may not want to go.
Text roleplay with an AI partner
AI story apps turn text roleplay into something you can do alone, at any time: you write your character's turn, and the AI writes the other characters and the scene. The same skills apply, including clear actions, one intention per turn and a hook at the end. Our guide to AI roleplay covers the formats. Be My Story is one such app, with ten curated romance and drama story experiences you shape in your own words.
For things to play, start with our 100 roleplay ideas or ready-to-send roleplay prompts.
Frequently asked questions
What does text-based roleplay mean?
Collaborative storytelling in writing, where each person controls a character and takes turns writing that character's words and actions.
Where can I do text-based roleplay?
On roleplay forums (play-by-post), chat servers and chat rooms, text-based game servers, and AI story apps where an AI plays the other characters.
What do IC and OOC mean in roleplay?
IC means in character, written as your character. OOC means out of character, a note from you as a player, usually set off in brackets.
How long should a text roleplay reply be?
It depends on the group. Chat roleplay often uses a few lines, while forum roleplay may expect one or more paragraphs. Check the group's rules, and match your partner's length.
Sources
- Online text-based role-playing game — Wikipedia; history, formats and writing styles; checked October 19, 2026.
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