Beginner Tips + Advice
Starting RP for the very first time or joining a brand new server can be daunting. But the good news is, I’ve already been there! I was exactly where you are right now and I know how overwhelming it can be. So I’m sharing my best beginner tips and advice to help get you started!
Join RP Server Discords
A lot of servers will let you join their discord even before you get whitelisted, Don’t be afraid to do so! Scope out the vibe. Do the players seem engaged? Are people friendly and helpful? Does it seem like a good fit for you and the character(s) you’re thinking of bringing to the server?
Not all the channels may be visible to you (yet), as some may be locked until you’re whitelisted, but you can usually still get a feel for the rules, the overall vibe in the community and decide if it’s a good fit for you. In my experience, most people are happy to help and respond to questions pretty quickly as well.
Browse GTA Streams on Twitch
Another thing you can do is pop into the GTA 5 category on Twitch. Most streamers will put the name or abbreviation of their server in their stream title. For example I’m on TwitchRP so you’ll see me and other streamers on this server with TwitchRP or TRP in our stream title. Watch me RP as Dr DESHrespect live on Twitch!
This is something I did when I was considering which servers to apply to. I’d watch a few streamers on different servers, so I could get a sense of the characters, interactions, and the way they handled things as well as the quality of RPers and it really helped me narrow down which servers to apply to.
Don’t be afraid to interact with others outside of RP. In fact, it can actually help your bond when you do RP. Most servers will have channels where you can share pics or clips from your stream or videos you make featuring and tag your friends. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and get a conversation going.
It can also be a great way to get to know others in the community you might not necessarily interact with or come across in-game. (Perhaps they’re in another time zone or aren’t on during the hours you normally are) but you can still build relationships with them.
A popular site amongst the GTA RP community is Hasroot. Here you can browse live channels by server. Click on one and it will take you straight to their Twitch channel.
Introduce Yourself to Everyone
As a new player in town, don’t be afraid to go around and introduce yourself! Meet as many people as you can! Ask them what they do for work, for fun, try to remember something about them whether it’s their accent, something unique about the way they dress or a fun fact about them to help you remember who is who.
In the same respect, make sure your interactions with others are memorable. Does your character have a go-to catchphrase or emote? Use it! Whenever you meet someone new, make your interaction meaningful in some way so you make a lasting impression.
Get people’s numbers! Plan some activities! Before you know it, you’ll have a ton of friends in the city at any given time you can hang out with. Don’t be afraid to be the one to get things going. It can help some shy RP-ers maybe come out of their shell, the more welcoming you are.
I play a character that’s always getting into trouble, yet I still make sure to introduce myself to everyone and try to make them feel welcome. Whether they choose to join in our “activities” is up to them, ofc. Unless we deem them a sacrifice. But in general, try to be welcoming and don’t intentionally exclude anyone. The best way to do this is to always have an agenda in mind, then invite others to join.
Don’t Be Yourself
If you’re shy IRL, maybe it’s a good idea to have your character be the opposite. Maybe they’re overly confident or have a larger than life personality. Someone who doesn’t mind inserting themselves into conversations. If you’re someone who gets nervous in social situations, have your character be someone who never gets embarrassed or if you sometimes don’t know how to respond, make that PART of your character. Maybe your character is Santa Clause and when you’re quiet, you pull out a notepad and add people to the naughty list.
In general, you don’t want your character to be too similar to you IRL. They can have similarities, sure, but you are playing a character after all, not yourself. You want to be invested in your character without getting too attached. For example, say someone you run into on the server for whatever reason doesn’t like your character. Remember this is RP. If you were playing a character exactly like you, it’d be hard not to take it personal, whenever they’d talk shid on your character, because you would feel personally attacked. It’s all about balance.
Quick Tip
When you’re new, it can be hard to remember everyone you come across, especially if they change their hair or clothes often or look similar to other characters. In addition, many RPers play more than one character and they may have a different name in discord than they do on Twitch or Twitter. That’s a lot to keep track of.
Something that really helped me when I first started out was creating a “cheat sheet” for myself whenever I needed a quick reminder. Remember, this should only be things your CHARACTER has learned, not things you learned OOC. I’d add a screenshot of each person I met, along with their character name and something my character learned about them like where they worked, what gang they were in, etc. Along with their discord and/or Twitch name. If you’re a streamer, another thing you can do when players from your server pop into your chat is use the “nickname” feature on Twitch to add their character name(s) to help you keep track of who is who.
Be a Less Selfish Roleplayer
This is something I myself have definitely been guilty of. My character is very chatty and sometimes I have to stop myself from talking over others. Remember every roleplayer is different. Some may be shy or less talkative but it’s important to give everyone space to RP.
So, if two people are having a discussion that has nothing to do with you, it’s okay to listen without feeling the need to insert yourself into every conversation. However, if you have something to add to the conversation or the scene, that’s one thing, but if what you’re about to say is going to change the subject or interrupt their RP, sometimes it’s better to sit back and let others have the spotlight.
If someone is having a moment, let them have their moment. RP can be addicting and it’s okay to be excited and have a character that is boisterous or outgoing. But regardless if you’re a creator or not, get others involved! Have a “the more, the merrier” mindset. Invite others when you’re doing an activity or encourage others to join in the conversation by asking them questions.
Show off Your Friends
And if you do happen to be a creator, feature others in your videos! If you meet some interesting characters, show them off! It’ll make them feel important to be included in whatever you’re doing. They may not always join in, but I promise, they’ll appreciate the gesture, nonetheless. This can also be helpful for shy or new players that may want to join in but aren’t sure how.
If you’re a true extrovert or your character loves being the center of attention, just remember- it’s all about balance. Having a big personality can be something people gravitate to and want to be around, but it can also turn people off. If others feel you’re constantly trying to take control of the conversation and make it about you or you’re constantly interrupting people, they may start to avoid you and you don’t want that.
You ofc want to stay true to your character, and react to the situation how your character would IRL but always think about how it will affect everyone involved. Ask yourself, “will what I’m about to do/say benefit everyone? Or just me?”
Give others a chance to shine too, especially if they’re shy and don’t always get to. If you notice someone else getting interrupted, try circling the conversation back to them by saying something like “what were you asking?” or “oh, I think you wanted to add to that?.” If you’re a streamer or YouTuber, feature others in your content! Everyone you meet will have their own personality, unique traits and comedic moments. Don’t be afraid to share the spotlight and highlight some other awesome creators in the community! Check these hilarious highlights from my GTA streams featuring some amazing RPers!
Looking for more beginner tips? Check out my Complete Beginner Guide to GTA RP!
Drinker of Coffee, Lover of Games, Creator of Content
[…] Beginner Tips and Advice […]
[…] Beginner Tips & Advice […]