Grand Theft Auto 5 remains one of the most impactful video game releases of all time. Thanks to the incredible success of GTA Online, this iteration of Rockstar's car theft simulator has survived three generations of console gaming and will seemingly never die. To this day it continues to be updated and ported to newer systems. It’s getting to the point where GTA 6 may never materialize since there are still billions to be made off of this 8-year-old game.
GTA 5 does such a good job of simulating real life that it’s spawned an entirely different kind of experience: the ever-growing role-playing scene. This modification has become immensely popular on Twitch thanks to NoPixel's server and its many fan-favorite broadcasters, such as Cyr, Sykkuno, Esfand, and the still permabanned xQc who all take on unique criminal personas and get themselves into wacky misadventures.
But even if you’re not a big-time Twitch streamer, you can still be a part of the GTA RP action by joining any of the many varied servers out there. But how do you join an RP server? And which ones are currently the best? Well lucky for you, we here at TheGamer are well acquainted with the world of Los Santos and know how to get you started so you can become literally anyone you want and do almost anything you please. So, here’s a useful guide to help you get started in the world of GTA roleplaying.
How To Get Into A GTA RP Server
It should go without saying that to join an RP server, you need to own GTA V and have it installed on your PC. There’s no way to roleplay on consoles as this is only possible by using a mod, so you need the PC version. However, considering how often the game goes on sale or is given away for free, there’s a good chance you already have a copy of it available somewhere on your computer.
To access these servers, you need to install a mod that will allow you to access a large list of available RP servers. The most well-known mod is FiveM, which is used by many of the servers that your favorite Twitch roleplayer likely frequents. You can find that mod here. Alternatively, some RP servers use the Rage Multiplayer client, which can be found here. Some servers may use other mods, but the vast majority run on one of these two options.
For some of the bigger, more popular RP servers – such as the ones we’ll list below – you’re probably going to have to do a little bit of extra work. These servers are hit with multiple requests from all types of potential roleplayers who want to join. For example, some of these servers may require you to fill out a form or application to join (if they’re even accepting new players at all.) Don’t be surprised if it takes a while to be accepted as you may be forced to wait in a queue before beginning your new digital life in Los Santo.
General Rules for RP Servers
While you are in the wild world of GTA, most RP servers have some standard rules that need to be followed.
One of the common rules you’ll find for most of these servers is that they absolutely do not want you to break character. That means once you’ve chosen your alternate persona, you need to embody that character. Don’t call people by their real name or go around metagaming (which in this case means referring to GTA 5 gameplay mechanics or using real-life knowledge that wouldn’t apply to Los Santos.)
Most of these servers don’t want you going around killing indiscriminately. You may be in the violent city of Los Santos, but you’re supposed to treat these servers like real places with real people. Thus, committing murder or other crimes will have actual consequences such as jail time, criminal trials, or even being banned from the server depending on how severe your offenses are.
And finally, don’t be a dick. While your character can be a surly or rude person, harassing people or generally being a jerk will get you kicked from a lot of servers. All servers have guidelines and rules of their own, so make sure to check out their individual websites so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Now let’s look at the most popular GTA RP servers as of right now.
GTA RP Servers
NoPixel
If you’ve done any research into GTA RP servers, then you’ve heard of NoPixel. All of the biggest streamers and content creators in the GTA RP community use it.
The server has strict rules when it comes to roleplaying. If you somehow manage to get in you absolutely have to stay in character at all times, no matter what happens. This is the serious server for serious roleplayers, and there’s zero tolerance for anyone who breaks the illusion. There’s also no tolerance for any out-of-character drama or harassment.
At this point, they have completely ended whitelisting potential prospects and have now simply moved on to donation-based recruitment. That means you’ll have to cough up some cash if you want to have even the slightest chance of joining. And even if you do pony up the donation money, there’s probably going to be one hell of a wait as so many players are lining up to get in. It’s like trying to join the most exclusive country club you can think of, so good luck!
Mafia City
The Mafia City Server has been around for quite some time and are among the biggest servers in the GTA RP realm. In Mafia City, things work a bit differently than normal. One of its major rulesets is no PvP firefights of any kind. It's all about living the Los Santos dream and trying your very best not to shoot your neighbors. Other than that, the only other major guideline to follow is to not be a jagweed (which is also a good rule for just about anything.)
Mafia City is constantly being updated and the level of detail, along with the absolute love for the world, shows in the support of its fans. In fact, if you head over to Mafia City’s Youtube channel, you can see videos that show off the in-depth systems for their police department, fire department, and more. This GTA RP server even has its own donator shop, which can be used to purchase a variety of in-game items, from weapon skins to vehicle upgrades.
AtroCity RP
Pronounced like the word "atrocity," AtroCity RP brings to the fold a more safe and open approach to the GTA RP scene. They consider themselves a "shared storytelling narrative," wherein the people and characters are set at the forefront of the experience. There’s plenty of jobs of both the legal or illegal variety. You can work for the city as a lawyer or be a reporter at Weazel News. Or you can sell drugs and rob houses. There’s even other options for making money like treasure-hunting, fishing, dumpster-diving, and more.
It remains one of the most under-the-radar yet still highly community-driven GTA RP servers available, and you genuinely won't find a more amazing group of individuals anywhere other than in AtroCity.
Evolve RP
Similar to AtroCity, Evolve is also rather smaller in size compared to these other heavy hitters, like NoPixel and Mafia City, but don't let that fool you. Evolve has a big heart, one that shines best in its toxic-free environment, attempting to rewrite the ways GTA RP itself can be envisaged by allowing for friendship to be the core driving principle. It offers plenty of special events for its players and there’s even the friendly Border Patrol who will help you get on your feet once you arrive in the city.
Their 10 main community tenents are rather easy to remember and follow, expressing a commitment to having fun and being respectful. While a GTA RP server at heart, Evolve prides itself on committing to the connections one can gain via their RP world. It doesn't have to always be about the punchline, simply just enjoy yourself and don't be a bully while doing so.
LucidCityRP
LucidCityRP is another smaller server that highly values strict roleplaying. The goal here is for your character to start small and eventually build a compelling story through interactions with other players and situations. There’s plenty of opportunities to work in law enforcement as well as criminal organizations.
This is a good place to start if you’re looking to get that NoPixel experience if you can’t get into the NoPixel servers (which you likely won’t at first.) They’re also one of the few RP servers that manages to incorporate new GTA Online features, such as the recent Cayo Perico location.
The Family RP
Another RP server flying under the radar, The Family RP is a good place to go if you want to do some criminal roleplaying. You can join a crime family, cook some meth, and all kinds of wacky shenanigans.
The one interesting thing about The Family is how their applications process is handled. Once you apply to join the server, you’ll roleplay on a public server. If you keep your account in good standing – which means you play often and roleplay well with others – you’ll eventually gain access to the private server where the real roleplayers reside.
Department Of Justice
Not into the whole crime business? Want a roleplaying experience that's more about following the rules rather than breaking them? Then Department Of Justice Roleplay may be the server for you. There’s a good selection of law enforcement departments for you to join. You can work the beat within the city, be a highway patrolman, act as a sheriff out in the deserts of Blaine County, join the fire department, or handle 911 calls as part of the dispatch team.
That being said, you can also join the community as a civilian if the idea of wearing a uniform doesn’t appeal to you. That of course includes being one of the criminals that the many departments may have to apprehend.
San Andreas Role Play
What began as a small RP community-based in a modded version of the 2004 original Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, SARP eventually spun off into its own new territory on the Xbox One platform set within the more modern GTA 5.
Since 2017, San Andreas Roleplay has intended to bring alive a fresh and more immersive experience, best reiterated within their own recruitment post via gtaforums from early 2020:
"Let's face it: GTA 5 Xbox One RP has a poor reputation. Many servers fail to be truly immersive in their games, and most are content with simply being "average." Here at SARP, however, we strive to rise above the competition in order to provide the most realistic and immersive roleplay experience available on the Xbox One platform."
After being recruited, all potential candidates eventually go through their own training phase, wherein you will learn not only the basics of RP itself in GTA but also the nuances and variety that SARP specifically has in store.
Eclipse
As one of the major GTA RP servers, Eclipse offers arguably one of the most streamlined roleplay experiences in San Andreas. There's a handy download and play option available on their website, allowing for instant fun and games for those desperately seeking something new in the RP world. They also allow for up to 200 players to be active at one time, so you’ll meet plenty of people around the city.
Eclipse has multiple factions and jobs to choose from, in addition to a slew of advanced gameplay scripts for all kinds of varied off-hours fun. They even allow players the option of choosing between voice or text chat, making the overall feel of the server far more open and welcoming for interesting ways of approaching GTA RP.
GTA World
On the other side of the spectrum is GTA World, a specifically text-based RP server that does away with the endless chatter and makes reading all the more satisfying. So it's a bit different than most, but it has within it a community of well over 60,000 characters, more than 30 active factions, and exactly 881 businesses.
In this RP server, the focus has now been turned to the dynamics of the RP experience and how best to tip the scales in favor of what that could be. GTA World is always being updated and is open, unlike most, to player feedback when it comes to building out the experience even further. In addition, it's all about the fun and not about the donations, as they specifically state there is no pay to win scheme for their reality. If you're into text-based GTA RP, join GTA World today to see what Los Santos truly has to offer.