Roleplaying

Overview

For now this article is about using game-mechanics to further roleplay. The nature and limits of roleplay itself are explained in multiple sections of the Rules .

Character-Management

Using multiple characters

You can create multiple characters for different roles. This allows for different roleplay concepts and clear separation of characters. Since each shift "resets" the story, you can of course reuse your character for multiple roles. But to other players it can be slightly unimmersive when their favourite bartender "Bob Beersky" from previous shifts, suddenly enters medical as their appointed surgeon.

The roles for each character can be adjusted to define which jobs they should be able to pick.

Character Creation

Most of the options are straightforward. While the gameplay-impact of chosing certain races is significant, picking a fitting text-to-speech-voice is even more so. Cosmetic details such as beards and hairstyles can be difficult to distinguish and tend to be less important than picking fitting clothes (which can be adjusted using the Loadout-options for each job).

Adding descriptions allow other players to gain additional information by examining you. Adding station-records can significantly enhance interactions with psychologists, surgeons and detectives. Make sure to write the texts in a way that a doctor / security officer would have entered them rather than using a narrative third person writing style.

Acting

Emotes

There are 3 types of emotes, some of which are restricted depending on the player-character. For example a robot can beep while a moproach cannot. Using these can make social interactions more immersive and help avoiding to talk over each other with the text-to-speech. For example instead of saying "yes" you can write "*nods" which will silenty display as "<Your Name> nods". Some emotes are auto-replaced, so if you put a o7 in your text the player will salute instead of saying "o7".

Speech Bubbles

You can display visual reactions using the "Z" menu. This is particularly useful for ghostroles with limited expression-options such as moproaches and mice since simple squeaking / chittering probably wont get your point across.

Audio emotes

There are some built-in emotes that also play a sound. Most notable examples are sighing, crying or saluting. Keep in mind that players have been conditions into interpreting gasping as a sign for lack of oxygen rather than an expression. Saluting is a very fitting option in front of superiors or when you are a combat-role such as security. If possible use the most appropriate emote-command. For example "*gasps" is better than "gasp" because it leads to "Bob gasps" instead of "Bob gasp"

• gasp | gasps
• deathgasp
• clap
• claps | claps. | claps! | clapping | clapped
• snap | snaps | snapping | snapped | snap fingers | snaps fingers | snaps fingers. | snaps fingers! | snaps their fingers | snaps their fingers. | snaps their fingers! | snapping fingers | snapped fingers
• scream | screams | screams. | screams! | screaming | screamed | shriek | shrieks | shrieks. | shrieks! | shrieking | shrieked | screech | screeches | screeches. | screeches! | screeching | screeched | yell | yells | yells. | yells! | yelled | yelling
• Laughing
  • Emotes: laugh | laughs | laughs. | laughs! | laughing | laughed | chuckle | chuckles | chuckles. | chuckles! | chuckled | chuckling | giggle | giggles | giggles. | giggles! | giggling | giggled
  • Chat: xD, lol, lel,rofl, lmao, lmfao, kek
• Saluting
  • Emotes: salute | salute. | salute! | salutes | salutes. | salutes!
  • Chat: o7
• Sighing
  • Emotes: sigh | sighs | sighed | sigh. | sighs. | sighed.
  • Chat: :i :|
• whistle | whistle. | whistle! | whistles | whistles. | whistles! | whistleblowing | whistleblowing. | whistleblowing!
• Crying
  • Emotes: cry | cry. | cry! | crying | crying. | crying! | cries | cries. | cries! | sob | sobs
  • Chat: :'( :'[ ='( ='[ )': ]': )'= ]'= ;-; ;_; qwq
• Race-specific
  • ??? squish | squish. | squish! | squishing | squishing. | squishing! | squishes | squishes. | squishes!
  • chitter | chitter. | chitter! | chitters | chitters. | chitters! | chittered | chittered. | chittered!
  • squeak | squeak. | squeak! | squeaks | squeaks. | squeaks! | squeaked | squeaked. | squeaked!
  • flaps (Requires wings... probably)
  • Silicons
    • beep
    • chime

Silent emotes

There are some auto-completing replacements for the chat that result in silent emotes such as ":)" causing the player to smile.

• Smiling: :) :] =) =] (: [: (= [= ^^ ^-^ :3
• Smile smugly: :u :v
• Wide smiling: :D
• Grin: :>
• Winking: ;) ;] (; [;
• Frowning: :( :[ =( =[ ): )= ]: ]= :D
• Wide Frowning: D:
• Surprised: :O
• Uncertain: :S
• Pout: :<
• Annoyed: >:i
• chatsan-stick-out-tongue: :p ;p :b
• Wide eyes: 0-0 o-o o.o
• Tearful salute: ;_;7
• Tearful smile: :') :'] =') ='] (': [': ('= ['=
• Surprised:._.
• Confused: .-.
• Unimpressed: -_- smh
• Shrug: :?
• Wave: o/ ^^/
• Look uncertain: :/ :\\

Freestyle

Descriptive texts that can be written by starting your message with "*". Write the text in third person since your Name is put in front like "<Bob> stares at the Xeno Queen in disbelief and horror"

Movement

• Falling on the floor (C-Key) while crying/sobbing
• Pacing back and forth unpatiently
• Looking by clicking into the general direction.
  • Suspiciously looking around before saying something secret
  • Looking back and forth confused
  • Looking at the person speaking
• Fluid/Fast looking enter the combat-mode since your view-direction will automatically follow the cursor
  • turning around to dance to music
  • provide disco-lighting as a cyborg using your flashlight
• Walking slowly (using the shift-key) when patrolling the hallways as a security officer
• Zooming around fast as a mouse can be fitting after being fed energy drinks or similar

Speaking

• Keep the text-amounts and typing-speed in mind when talking to others. If you are a slow typer you might want to prepare the text/question while waiting in line to the HoP to avoid having others wait.
• Try to split up messages to not overwhelm to other side. This is best done with a ... to indicate a follow up like "So, I was walking into the bar..." + "and security was already waiting for me!"
• You can immitate hesitation by adding "..." pauses or using "-" in your writing: "D-d-d-id you really... kill him?"
• Whispering (use tab to switch talking modes) can be fitting a secretive meeting but make sure the other person is near enough
• Use multiple languages (switch with L-Menu) when appropriate. Silicons/Robots for example would probably talk to each other in binary for increased efficiency.
• You don't always have to speak. You can also pass someone a written note. This makes most sense for formal complaints (and conspiracies)
• Mix spoken text with emotes (such as nodding) and racial-specific reactions (purring for felines when hearing something nice)
• Use "radio-speak" when talking over the radio like "Expedition Team 2 to Salvage Lead. We are en route but need medical assistance upon arrival. Do you copy?"
• Don't blurt out your lines when the situation does not allow for it. Avoid interrupting conversations or talking over people. Especially your superiors. If it is urgent interrupt politely like "Excuse me officer, do you have a moment?"
• You can "scroll up" previous sent messages using the Arrow-Up-Key
• When in critical state you can utter last words (up to 30 characters) and die. You can use this to warn others, provide a hint to the detective or asking them to delete your browser history. You can also have fun by cutting your words short intentionally like "Please revenge me. It was ..."
• As a mouse or other animal sometimes you want to be talkative even though people won't understand. Split your messages in fast bursts to display excitement as a mouse after having been fed cheese.
• There are some auto-replacements that allow for faster responses. "np" will result in a spoken "no problem", however sadly the text-to-speech will still only say "np". So if you are a fast typer you might want to still type out the words properly.

References

Source for reference-commands: [1] [2] [3]