Getting started with GTA RP on FiveM, from picking a city to getting whitelisted

GTA RP is roleplay in GTA V. You play a character (police officer, medic, mechanic, small-time crook…) in a city shared with other players, and you bring their story to life. On PC, it happens on FiveM servers, each with its own rules and atmosphere.

What you need

• GTA V on PC, a legitimate copy (Steam, Epic Games or Rockstar Games Launcher).
• FiveM, downloaded only from fivem.net.
• A decent microphone, because most cities are played by voice, with in-game proximity chat.
• A Discord account. That's where announcements, rules and often the whitelist happen.

FiveM only runs on PC. On consoles, roleplay happens in GTA Online, organised by Discord communities.

Picking your first city

• Check the type of access. With open access, you connect directly. It's ideal for getting started. With a whitelist, you need to be approved on Discord. By application, the team runs a questionnaire or an interview.
• Pick the roleplay level. Serious RP asks you to stay in character at all times. Semi-RP and casual RP are more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
• Watch the minimum age. Many cities require players to be 16 or 18.
• Look at activity when you play. A city that is lively in the evening, when you play, beats a big number at another time.
• Read the rules in full. Clear rules and an active team are good signs.

On Rankserveurs, the "without whitelist", "whitelisted" and "serious RP" categories apply these filters for you.

Vocabulary to know

• IC is what happens in character, and OOC is what's out of character (talking about your connection or real life). OOC talk belongs in the dedicated channels, not in the city.
• RDM (random deathmatch, "freekill" in French communities) means killing someone without a roleplay reason. It's forbidden almost everywhere.
• Metagaming means using information from outside the game (a stream, a Discord message) in the game.
• Powergaming means forcing an unrealistic or unbeatable action, or abusing game mechanics.
• Fear RP means reacting like a real person when facing a weapon or danger, instead of charging in like in an action game.

Each server sets its own rules. When in doubt, its rules are what count.

Preparing a whitelist application

1. Read the rules to the end. Questions are often about them.
2. Build your character with a believable name, an age, a coherent past, a job or a goal. No need for a novel, just a story that holds together.
3. Answer in your own words. Copied or generated text is easy to spot.
4. Prepare for the voice interview when there is one. The team mostly checks that you understood the rules and the server's spirit.
5. Be patient. Response times vary from one city to another.

Your first hours in the city

Start with a legal job or a simple activity to give yourself time to observe. Ask questions in the Discord help channels rather than in the city. Nobody expects a newcomer to know everything, but everyone expects you to respect other players and their stories.

Good habits

• No file to install. FiveM downloads the server's resources itself. A "launcher" sent by private message is a red flag.
• Nobody needs your passwords. Not for Rockstar, Cfx.re or Discord.
• Look at the shop. Rockstar's licence for FiveM prohibits selling virtual currency for real money and paid loot boxes. Such practices can be reported from the server's listing.

In short

1. Legitimate GTA V on PC, FiveM from fivem.net, a microphone and Discord.
2. A first city with open access or semi-RP, active when you play.
3. The rules read in full and the basic vocabulary understood.
4. An application written in your own words if you aim for a whitelist.
5. No file to install, no password to give.