📖 Guide New Players Roleplay 101

Beginner's Guide

New to roleplay? Start here. Everything you need to know to begin your journey in Circle City.

🎭 What is Roleplay?

The foundation of everything we do

Roleplay (RP) is collaborative storytelling. You create a character and make decisions as that character would — not as yourself.

🎯 The Goal

Create interesting stories together. Every interaction is an opportunity for character development, conflict, friendship, or comedy.

🤝 The Golden Rule

Treat others how you'd want to be treated. Your fun shouldn't come at the expense of someone else's experience.

💡 Key Mindset

Your character can fail, lose, or look foolish. That's often where the best stories come from!

💡
Pro Tip: Think of RP like improv theater. The best scenes happen when you say "yes, and..." instead of blocking others' ideas.

🚀 Getting Started

From zero to roleplaying in 5 steps

1

Install FiveM

Download and install the FiveM client from the official website. It's free and takes about 10 minutes.

2

Connect to Circle City

Use the code rmabokp in the FiveM server browser, or click "Connect with FiveM" on our homepage.

3

Create Your Character

Customize your appearance. Take your time — this is who you'll be in the city!

4

Read Server Rules

Every server has rules. Take 5 minutes to read them — it'll save you from headaches later.

5

Jump In!

Don't overthink it. Walk around, talk to people, and let your first interactions be simple.

👤 Creating Your Character

Bring someone interesting to life

✅ Do This:

  • ✓ Give them a real name (first and last)
  • ✓ Pick 2-3 personality traits
  • ✓ Have a simple backstory (where are they from? why Los Santos?)
  • ✓ Give them strengths AND weaknesses
  • ✓ Think about their voice/mannerisms

❌ Avoid This:

  • ✖ "Main character syndrome" — you're not the hero
  • ✖ Being OP — your character should be able to fail
  • ✖ Edgy lone wolf — RP is collaborative
  • ✖ Playing yourself — be someone different!

📝 Example Character Concept

Jimmy "Two-Shoes" Moretti — A 34-year-old former shoe salesman from New Jersey who moved to Los Santos after a midlife crisis. He's overly friendly, slightly clumsy, and talks too much. He wants to start a food truck business but knows nothing about cooking. Flaws: terrible with money, trusts everyone, can't drive stick.

📜 RP Etiquette

The unwritten rules that matter most

🚫

No RDM / VDM

Random Deathmatch = killing without RP reason. Vehicle Deathmatch = running people over on purpose. Both are instant bans.

💬

Stay In Character (IC)

Everything you say in voice or /me should be as your character. Keep OOC (out of character) chat in brackets like ((this)).

🧠

No Metagaming

Don't use OOC knowledge IC. Your character doesn't know what you heard on Discord or saw on stream.

😨

Fear RP / NVL

If someone has a gun to your head, act afraid. No Value For Life = ignoring threats because "it's just a game."

No Powergaming

Don't force actions on others without giving them a chance to react. "/me punches you" vs "attempts to punch"

💀

Fail RP

Don't ignore injuries, jump off buildings, or act like nothing happened after a crash. Play realistically.

⌨️ Basic Commands

Essential tools for better RP

/me [action]

Describes an action: /me wipes sweat from forehead

/do [description]

Describes environment or state: /do The room smells like cigarettes

/try [action]

50/50 chance action succeeds: /try picks the lock

/inv

Check your inventory

/pay [ID] [amount]

Give money to another player

/id

Check your player ID and nearby players

/phone

Open your in-game phone

/job

Check your current job

🎬 Example Scenarios

Good RP vs. Bad RP — see the difference

❌ Bad RP

Player A: *walks up* "Give me your car or I'll kill you"

Player B: "No lol" *drives away*

Outcome: No roleplay, just demands and ignoring threats.

✅ Good RP

Player A (Masked): *steps out of alley* "Don't move. Keys in the ignition, nice and slow."

Player B: *hands trembling* "Please, it's all I have... my kids are in the backseat of that car."

Player A: *pauses, glances at the car* "...Get out of here. But I see you again, I won't be so nice."

Outcome: Tense, emotional, character-driven scene with a surprising ending.

🎬
Remember: The best RP comes from unexpected moments. Sometimes "losing" creates a better story than winning.

📚 RP Glossary

Common terms you'll hear

IC / OOC

In Character / Out of Character

RDM

Random Deathmatch — killing without RP reason

VDM

Vehicle Deathmatch — using a car as a weapon

Metagaming

Using OOC knowledge IC

NVL

No Value for Life — ignoring threats/danger unrealistically

Powergaming

Forcing actions on others without reaction time

Fail RP

Acting unrealistically or ignoring consequences

New Life Rule

After death, you forget events leading to it

Fear RP

Acting afraid when threatened

Backstory

Your character's history and background

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a mic?
Yes — Circle City is a voice RP server. You'll need a working microphone to interact with others.
Can I be a cop/EMS right away?
No — whitelisted jobs require an application and training. Start with a public job like trucking or taxi to learn the city first.
What happens when I die?
You respawn at the hospital. IC, you were severely injured and treated. Under the New Life Rule, you don't remember the events leading to your death.
I'm nervous. Any advice?
Start simple! Get a job as a taxi driver or trucker. You'll naturally meet people through work. Everyone was new once — we're a friendly community.
How do I make money?
Public jobs (trucker, taxi, miner, fisherman), crafting/selling items, or working for player-owned businesses.
What if someone breaks the rules?
Don't argue IC. Finish the scene, then report it through the proper channels with evidence (clips/screenshots).

Ready to begin your story?

You have everything you need. Now go create something memorable.