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Finally, it’s time to play your online RPG. You’ve done all your preparations. Everyone is online on time and ready to share an adventure. You have your backup plans for when something goes wrong that you can’t control.

Now we’re going to talk about things you can control yourselves.

Etiquette is more than just a skill on your character sheet -- it’s how you play the game. There are certain social skills that separate good players from great ones. Online gaming puts them to the test because the medium limits your interactions. At the same time, the technology heightens certain things that can ruin the experience for everyone.

Mind Your Microphone

It’s easy to misjudge the sensitivity of a microphone or forget where they are located. I’ve seen countless people act very awkwardly when having a microphone put in their face, or attached to their shirt. These same people forget all about them after a few minutes of conversation, and start accidentally hitting them, or get up and walk away trailing the wires behind them. It’s a very common problem, so here are some things to remember when you’re wired for sound.

• Your microphone is live

You need to be mindful of the fact that microphones pick up sounds that are normally ignored or too quiet to hear. The sound of someone breathing into their mic can be very loud. Players, remember to use the Mute feature to prevent accidentally cutting in on someone else with any background noise. On the other hand, GMs should always have their microphone live, as they are usually the one talking the most, and it’s one less thing for them to think about.

Discord is one of the most popular apps right now for online gaming. Players should use Push-to-Talk. GMs should set their audio on Voice Activity. Discord also has a feature called Priority Speaker which reduces the volume of other voices when the Priority Speaker is talking. The Priority Speaker setting can be assigned to a role, and it should go to the GM.

• Protect others

If you have to go away from the keyboard (or AFK) for some reason, be sure to let others know discreetly, then mute yourself before taking off your headphones and putting them down. This prevents a lot of harsh noises as your microphone bumps or scrapes against things. These noises can really hurt other people's hearing, not to mention disturb the game.

• Don’t share your food

In my previous post I recommended eating a meal beforehand, and having your drinks and snacks ready at your computer before game time. Be mindful of the fact that your microphone is very close to your face, and can pick up -- and amplify -- otherwise minor noises, like chewing and swallowing. This can be very disturbing to others, or prevent the person talking from being heard properly.

Misophonia is something to be mindful of in others, and is likely something you don’t realize is a problem until you run directly into it. Yet another reason to use Push-to-Talk.

Play Nice

• Stay on topic

Once the game is properly underway, side conversations need to come to an end. If you want to discuss the news, your personal life, or anything else outside of game, there is usually a period at the start and end of every game to do that. If there isn’t, schedule one. Assume that game time is a precious, limited resource, and respect that other people want to focus on what they are there to do. This is especially true of online games with people you don’t know personally.

• Distractions happen

The goal of everyone at the game should be to prevent distractions and allow the active player or GM to communicate as clearly as possible. This allows the game to run smoothly and everyone gets to have a good time. That being said, be patient when an unavoidable distraction occurs. Kids need attention. Pets interrupt for a myriad of ways for all kinds of reasons. Computers fail for no reason. Be patient with others interruptions, and reduce the impact of your interruptions on others. Your vigilance with Push-to-Talk or Mute is key here.

• Share the spotlight

This is a key skill at any RPG table, but possibly even more important when online. Great players know their fellow players interests and strengths. They use that knowledge to recognize when a situation falls into that category, and either makes room for them to shine, or intentionally calls attention to the fact that they should take over. This is especially key for new or shy players. When playing online, it serves as an audio cue for everyone else to stay silent and pay attention to the acting player.

• Allow other people to finish talking

Most online chat methods can only keep one voice clear at one time. To prevent a garbled mess, and constantly repeating yourself, give others the chance to finish their statements before starting yours. There is a fine line to walk here, as sometimes you need to take the initiative or interrupt for character reasons. This should be the exception to the rule, especially when dealing with the Game Master.

• Be ready for your turn

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re sitting at your computer. You use it for all kinds of things at once. How many tabs do you have open right now? How easy would it be to check social media when it’s not your turn in the game? Why is everyone shouting at me? Oh, it’s my turn?!? What’s going on again?

Your fellow players deserve the courtesy of your attention to the game as much as possible. Wait for social cues for the spotlight to pass to you. Have a plan for your next turn in combat. Execute it as quickly and with as little interruption of the flow of game as possible. When you pay attention, you avoid needing to ask questions about the current situation before taking your turn.

• Don’t distract the Game Master

In all RPGs, the GM has a lot to keep track of. Online games may be adding a lot of technical details for them to manage as well. If the GM pauses, it may be due to looking something up, or managing the virtual table. Don’t use this pause as an excuse to ask rules questions unless they’re pertinent to the situation. Politely check in with them to make sure they’re ready to continue.

• Schedule breaks

However long your game runs, be sure to take a break every few hours to allow everyone to step away from the computer. GMs should schedule or announce a break between scenes, so there isn’t a break in the action. If needed, assign someone as a timekeeper to bring up the topic.

That’s a Wrap

It’s been a long year, and it looks like it’s going to be a long winter of continued isolation and quarantine measures. Many people are in need of the social interaction and mental escape that role-playing games provide. At the same time they are short on time, energy, and coping capacity. When you follow these guidelines of online gaming etiquette you help everyone at the virtual table have a good time. 

We have the Power, Gamers.