Roleplay and examples
IC versus OOC: does your character know what you know?
IC concerns your character’s in-game life; OOC concerns the player’s knowledge and communication. Controlling the same character does not merge the two.
Vice Roleplay · Sources checked:
The In Character (IC) and Out of Character (OOC) distinction explains which information can drive a scene. As a player, you see the screen, forum and Discord. Your character acts on what they experienced, observed or were told inside the story.
Ask where the information came from
Recognising a player’s username does not mean your character knows that person’s name or history. An introduction, a news report or another IC interaction can provide an in-story source.
For example, you see a friend’s character at a venue in a screenshot. If your character was elsewhere, seeing that image as a player does not automatically provide an IC reason to head straight there.
Understand what each channel is for
Separate character dialogue from a technical question. Ask about an unfamiliar key or command through an appropriate OOC channel. Turning story information from that conversation into a character advantage is a different matter.
Characters may dislike each other without their players arguing in private messages. Likewise, friendship between players does not automatically make their characters friends.
Keep both sides consistent
Short notes can track whom your character met, who told them something and what they promised. This makes checking the origin of information easier.
If unsure, ask an appropriate clarification before acting as if the knowledge exists. Use the reporting route described in the current rules rather than turning the scene into an argument. IC / OOC is not just vocabulary: it guides consistent decisions in play.
Sources and scope
This article was prepared with AI assistance after checking the sources and Vice rules. Example scenes were written for explanation and do not describe actual player incidents. Current server rules and on-screen requirements take precedence.