Online Text RPGs: Dealing With OOCness - Asking When  IRE Text
Games Images  By Lisa Ohanian  In online text games where role
playing is ‘strongly encouraged’ but not strictly enforced (like
those made by Iron Realms Entertainment), the matter of staying
in-character (IC) can be a tricky issue. Those who prefer to
play online text games for combat or for the social aspect will
inevitably falter at times, and go out-of-character (OOC). Most
of the time, this is harmless enough. But occasionally this
disconnect can cause confusion, drama, or simply the ruining of
a significant moment in the other character’s roleplay.  So
where does one draw that line between tactfully informing or
nudging the other player towards roleplaying in critical
circumstances, and becoming a self-righteous roleplaying nazi
worthy of blacklisting? Read on for some advice on when to
address OOCness in online text games. Part two of this series,
coming soon, will then detail how to proceed tactfully, once
you’ve decided whether you want t