Roleplaying

260x260px|thumb|A compilation of clips from various roleplays.
Roleplaying, role-playing or simply 'RP' is the act of assuming and playing a role other than your actual self. A form of make-believe and pretending. When roleplaying a character you might assume a completely different personality, values and goals or simply be an alternate version of yourself that is not really you.
==Roleplay in VRChat==
Roleplay in VRChat shares elements with other forms of roleplay and acting, namely LARP, Improvisational Theatre, and even some tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons. What makes roleplay in VRChat unique is primarily the way the medium of VR is leveraged to provide an immersive experience for participants.
If you are brand new to roleplaying in general it's good to study some established basic concepts before getting started.
*Roleplaying Concepts - A list of concepts and explanations for roleplay in VR.
*Conf's Roleplay Guide - A roleplaying guide written by Conflee.
==Worlds and Characters==
VRChat allows users to upload custom worlds and avatars for use in the game. For roleplay, this means that characters and the worlds that they inhabit are no longer limited to existing only in one's imagination. They are physically represented in the game, and through the power of VR, you can see the world through your character's eyes. 
A large collection of of public avatars and worlds are available making it easy for new players to find a model to turn into a character, and start roleplaying. Additionally, many players choose to go the extra mile and make custom avatars for their characters. This is similar to how a costume might be used in LARP, however, avatars in VRChat can make the physically impossible real. 
===Development===
This article won't expand on how to create an original character - "OC" - for short, or the technical sides on how to create 3D models or worlds. Here are some useful resources:
*VRChat Docs - Developer Documentation for creating worlds and avatars
*VRChat Learning Channel - Tutorials and guides on YouTube from VRChat developers
===Optimization and gear===
Due to the nature of roleplay lobbies, there are usually many people, and therefore many avatars present in the game world. It is generally seen as good etiquette to use an avatar that is optimized, that is, easier for computers to render in such lobbies. Many lobbies have rules regarding avatar performance, so make sure to read those before bringing an avatar into a roleplay lobby. Different groups have different requirements.
*VR Gear - List of different VR gear and terminology used by RP groups
==How do I start Roleplaying?==
Many groups organize and meet via Discord since public worlds tend to get chaotic. Some groups are public for anyone to join others are closed and require some sort of application or vouching for new players. When you are joining a group be sure to study their rules beforehand.
*All RP Groups - A list of all roleplaying groups that are documented on the wiki.
===Join an Open Roleplay===
Joining an Open Roleplay group requires minimal or no application process to join. With minimal restrictions on the characters themselves. Most current open roleplays tend to focus on social roleplay. Lobbies are usually run on a weekly schedule, but characters are allowed to "drop-in." That is, players do not have to commit to a single character, or even frequent the lobby in order to experience what the roleplay has to offer. Due to their accessibility, Open Roleplays offer a fantastic space for experimentation with character ideas.
===Apply to a Closed Roleplay===
Closed Roleplay requires some form of an application process or vouching system. Usually in the form of a character sheet following specific rules or theme dictated for the roleplay. This allows the roleplayers to tell a cohesive story centered on a specific cast of characters. "Closed" does not inherently imply that new people can't join, though it is generally helpful to familiarize oneself with the scene before committing to a Closed Roleplay. Some of the largest Closed Roleplay are often combined with high production value and content creation such as livestreaming on Twitch or YouTube.
===Create your own Roleplay===
Creating your own roleplay group can require a lot of dedication and time but be worth it if enough players are interested. A good start is creating a discord and wiki article explaining the theme, setting and rules for your group. To create articles on this wiki you have to register a new fandom account. Also see: The wiki start page.
==Common themes and overarching groups==
===Metaverse RP===
Metaverse is the largest roleplay setting in VRChat, being host to numerous open and closed roleplays. The term is borrowed from the many-worlds interpretation and multiverse description in quantum physics. If a roleplay is denoted as a Metaverse Roleplay, that means characters in that roleplay may potentially interact with characters in other Metaverse Roleplays. In addition, there are many characters in the Metaverse that are not tied to any specific roleplay.The definition "metaverse" has no connection to Facebook/Meta and adopted the terminology already in 2017. 
*Metaverse RP Lore - Categories for various Lore related to the metaverse
===MilSim & Military RP===
MilSim short for Military simulation aims to simulate Combat and Immersion rather than a formal setting. Military RP on the other hand is a very popular form of Roleplay that is similar but aims to simulate fictional or historical military events. These groups are sometimes connected to other fictional lore canon from anime or video games that lack VR compatibility or the capability to create your own worlds and models. Different groups have different focus and often create their own Nation, Group, or Army. 
*:Category:Military RP Groups - List of Military RP groups
*:Category:Waifu RP Groups - Anime inspired military groups
===Light RP - improv and social games===
Some Roleplay also referred to as "Light RP" are more similar to improvisational theater than any more structured or organized Roleplaying groups. They may lack any overarching theme or direction and adopt a more "anything goes" aspect and focus on jumping between public lobbies or entertaining friends or an audiance in various ways. Several of the largest VRChat livestreamers fall under this category. Such as Lolathon, Roflgator and MurderCrumpet.
==Community Resources==
===General Resources===
* VRCRP Calendar - A Google Calendar specifically for Metaverse Open LobbiesIf you have an Open Metaverse lobby that you wish to have added to this calendar contact Nines on Discord with the roleplay's schedule. There is contact information contained within the calendar.. 
===Open Roleplaying Lobbies===
*Aether Chronicles - A VR RP created for both beginners and veterans alike. The RP facilitates players of all skill levels by blending a casual Open Lobby with structured modules run by game masters.
*Dream Tree Cafe - A social RP set in a dream world, the cafe being built within a dream which allows people from any RP (Metaverse or not) to show up and enjoy a nice coffee and some company!
*The Meatrack - The Meat Rack is a collection of cyberpunk oriented local businesses located at rock bottom Lower Zaphira, mostly inhabited by criminals and people who can't make it in the rest of the extremely corporate city.
*Purple Lotus RP - A free-form roleplay environment created to welcome new roleplayers, with multiple locations in Zaphira City.
===Closed Roleplays and Lore===
While you may not be able to join closed RPs directly, some have paths to join via established members vouching for you or working your way to a character role by participating as supporting cast or being active in related communities over time. 
Some closed Roleplays have dedicated writers that help document their history and lore with their own categories on this wiki. 
*:Category:Neon Divide Lore - Lore for Neon Divide, a cyberpunk SciFi and Shadowrun inspired RP
*:Category:Fractured Thrones Lore - Lore for the Fractured Thrones, a medieval-fantasy era themed RP
*:Category:Ascension Lore - Lore for the Ascension Academy RP, a magical school fantasy themed RP
*:Category:Imperial Waifu Lore - Lore for the Waifuwehr, a fictional alternate history and anime inspired Military RP
*The Mortisian Syndicate - A semi-open social RP set in 1920s in Babylon, Louisiana. Mafia themed RP.
==Gallery==
==Notes==
*This article is protected and can only be edited by moderators of the wiki. To update join our discord and suggest a change!
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