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Dispatch → Meta → Gameplay
IC and OOC: Guide for New Players
A Quick IntroductionIC means 'In Character' and OOC means 'Out of Character'. These terms are used on NationStates, to denote how a nation (player) communicates with other nations. IC means, the player is simulating his/her nation. When the player is communicating as the President/Prime Minister (or whosoever is the head of your nation) with other nations, it is called as In Character posts. While if a player is chatting with other players about Real Life issues, it is called as Out of Character communication.
For example, if a nation on RMB is talking about his/her nations's trade and economics, it is regarded as IC. If a player is telling how hectic his school life is, it is regarded as OOC.
Types of Governments: IC and OOC
There are three types of Government you would encounter in NationStates:
National Government: This is your nation's government, or in other words your nationstates account. You simulate your nation by solving issues, writing IC dispatches, or participating in RolePlay. This is the part of IC government.
Regional Government: This is the government of your region, constituted by yourFounder, WA Delegate and other Admins. This regional government manages your region and takes all major decisions of your government. This is the part of OOC government.
Interregional Government: You will be able to access this government, only if your region is part of any interregional allaince, such as Assembly of Regions. Technically, these are region, but speaking in terms of gameplay, they represent organisations, to simulate RL (Real Life) organisations like NATO, CSTO, etc. This is the part of OOC government.
Please Note: Interregional Government should not be confused with RP alliances. During RolePlay, certain alliances might be there to fight/practice diplomacy to proceed the story in roleplay. Such an allianes lies only in the context of RolePlay and is not part of any government.
How to identify IC and OOC
Most of the times players don't specify whether it's IC or OOC. You need to identify whether the post is IC and OOC by analyzing its tone and context in which it is posted. For example, if a player is proposing other nations to set up trade and diplomatic relations in his/her nations, it is obviously In Character.
A thin line separating IC and OOC
Let's say some nations posted this on the RMB, "I wish to abolish the right of gun ownership in my country".
This type of context can have two meanings, either the player is discussing about Gun Law of his RL country, or he is talking about his nationstates nation, and wishes to abolish an adopted policy. You can only get to know about its true meaning by analyzing tone (exclamation marks or emojis) and the context in which the post is made on the RMB.