Out of Character

What's OOC all about? Maybe your orcish character doesn't like elves, but you still like to play them sometimes. In this case, your OOC opinion is that elves are fun to play, but your IC, or In Character, opinion is that elves are the scum of the land and fit to be enslaved. Be careful! Derogatory remarks made to players can be considered harassment. However, in a fighting game like The Arena, where each player controls a character that fights other characters (sometimes called a PvP, or Player vs. Player, game), inflammatory remarks between characters are only natural.

It is important to distinguish between what is OOC and what isn't. Reference to your character's stats must be OOC, because your character and those he associates with has no concept of those numbers. Each player needs to recognize that the following line is OOC; it is something that Lizard Man's player is saying to the other players.

Lizard Man: Hi all. 34/0 fighter, anyone for a fight?

Likewise, reference to parts of a computer, connections, AOL, "screen freezes," or places online are also all OOC. Online shorthand such as AFK are OOC. The following line is perfectly acceptable. Everyone in the room knows by reading it that Lizard Man can't possibly be talking with his character.

Lizard Man: Sorry, having modem trouble. BRB

When a ref calls a fight, the great majority of his or her calls for inits, damage, etc., are OOC. However, he or she will sometimes describe what is happening. This usually isn't something their character is doing, but a third-person description of what is happening to the other people's characters. In normal circumstances, this will only occur during a fight. Furthermore, the refs are the only ones permitted to directly describe the condition of another person's character. For example:

OGF Zai: He hits for 6 points of damage. Lizard Man is bleeding and staggers about.

Sometimes, it's not clear whether a player is saying something OOC, or if it's supposed to be something their character is saying. For these cases only, double parentheses should be used around the OOC text to denote it as such. Be warned! These OOC "bubbles" are considered disruptive on the screen, and should be used only in circumstances where they are absolutely necessary. Take the time to consider what you want to say OOC first. Maybe it's something your character can just as well say or think, if worded differently. Maybe it's something you can send via IM. OOC "bubbles" should only be used when all else fails!

Why do each of these not need the parentheses around them?

Hobgoblin: ((Aurak, did you get my bet?))
Hobgoblin: ((43/2 paladin, looking for a fight.))
Hobgoblin: ((Aurak, may I IM you?))
Hobgoblin: ((afk brb))

Well..? The first line is a question about something that Hobgoblin's character could just as well have asked, unless he's mute. If he is, in fact, mute, the player should ask to IM, then send the question that way. The second line is clearly OOC, because it includes character stats. The third is also OOC, because characters don't know what an "IM" is. The last one is just a common shorthand.

Remember, The Arena is a fantasy role-playing game. 90% of your chat should be your character's interaction, either by speaking or acting. The most dedicated role-players won't use a single line of OOC in the room, instead taking their questions to IMs or waiting to see if they can find out the answer on their own. It is acceptable to use OOC when necessary, but you should always try to avoid it. Overuse of OOC can quickly become room disruption. During off-hours, if people are present, watch them and see if it looks IC or OOC. If it's not clear after 20-30 seconds, you may want to ask, something like:

Lizard Man: Are we IC or OOC?

Don't "mix" OOC and IC. This means that your role-playing should not be affected by things your character has no concept of. This is especially important for two reasons. First, remember that your character can be in only one place at a time. When role-playing on the message boards, it is unlikely that your character will be welcoming a member to your guild and simultaneously searching through a lost mine for hidden treasure. It takes time to get from one place to another. Choose where your character is supposed to be. Don't ruin the realism by posting in several folders at once. Notify another player whose character might be more easily disposed to deal with a situation.

Second, your character should never act or speak against another character for actions his player has made against another player (including yourself). If someone jokes about your typos, that doesn't make them a suitable target for your character. Obviously, typos are OOC. If you want the other player to stop, it is the responsibility of you, as a player, to ask him. On the other hand, if another character humiliates your character, your character should be the one who returns the favor in some way, not your player.