Metagaming

Metagaming is the act of applying OOC (out of character) knowledge to an IC (in character) situation.

A typical example is if your character knows something which they should have no reason to know. Handwaving details occasionally takes place, meaning that something might vaguely be alluded to, but not fully explained or threaded in detail. Sometimes, OOMs are used as a way to explain some events which might be handwaved, or absent altogether from the play in the main bar. Most people will read other threads or OOMs, even if they are not involved with what is being played out. In this case, it is important to keep track of what your character knows, and what you know. If your character has information they should not have, it can create an unfair advantage over the other player.

There are instances where characters are able to have information that might not be available to them usually. There are a number of telepaths in the bar, with the ability to read thoughts, or similar. There are characters who can shapeshift into inconspicuous forms, allowing them to go unseen. Or characters like Sherlock Holmes who can read the scuffs on your shoes, or Jim Moriarty with his spy cameras up in the rafters, watching everything. But even in these cases, information or acknowldegement of information is typically given OOC.

The distincting between IC and OOC information is sometimes blurry, as in the case with the rules. There are two sets of rules, both of which must be obeyed, though the IC rules are there to be broken so long as the OOC rules are followed.

Even though OOC information might be applied to IC play, this is generally not considered metagaming. It is a required mechanic of gameplay, in order to make the game fun for everyone involved.