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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Swarmkeeper" data-source="post: 8490874" data-attributes="member: 6921763">It may serve some purpose to split roleplaying into Direct and Indirect components.I think the Direct components are covered nicely in the OP (and subsequent explanations).The Indirect components include at least two other aspects of the game.  While engaged in these Indirect components of roleplaying, I would argue that the player is, in fact, playing the game.First, there is character creation (as [USER=6701124]@Cadence[/USER] mentioned way upthread) in which a player is determining a background, personality traits, ideals, bonds, flaws, and perhaps a backstory - all of which serve to inform how the player will roleplay their PC during gameplay.  Second, during gameplay, there is time that is well-spent listening to the others at the table:  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">the DM describing the environment</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">the other players describing what their characters are saying or doing </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">the DM adjudicating actions.  </li> </ul>This is a critical part, IMO, of a player playing the game - listening and absorbing what is going in the game world so they can best roleplay their PC when their turn comes around.  Indeed, someone on their phone (or otherwise distracted) and not paying attention to these "not me" aspects of the game can truly be said to NOT be playing the game.</blockquote>