In AI chat, ERP stands for erotic roleplay: adult, sexual roleplay between fictional characters. (Outside AI communities, ERP usually means enterprise resource planning software. Very different thing.)
Quick answer
ERP is adult roleplay: you and a fictional character play out a romantic or sexual scene together through text, voice or images. On Affiny, adult roleplay between fictional adults works on the free plan, and subscribers get God Mode for fully uncensored scenes and scene direction. Your chats are private, and you can set boundaries your companion remembers.
Where the term comes from
ERP comes from online roleplay communities, where RP has meant roleplay since the early days of chat rooms, forums and multiplayer text games. The "E" marks the adult version. Players used it to set expectations: is this scene going to be adult or not?
The term went mainstream in AI companion circles in early 2023, when Replika removed erotic roleplay overnight. Many long-time users felt their companion had suddenly changed personality. After a backlash, it was restored for some users, but the episode made "ERP" a standard search term and made many people wary of apps that might change the rules without warning.
Related terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RP | Roleplay |
| ERP | Erotic roleplay |
| NSFW | Not safe for work: adult content |
| SFW | Safe for work |
| OOC | Out of character: stepping outside the story to talk |
| Slow burn | A long build-up before anything happens |
| Filter | An app's system for blocking adult content |
| Hard limit | Something you never want in a scene |
| Soft limit | Something you're unsure about, or only want with care |
What makes ERP good
Good erotic roleplay is mostly good roleplay:
- Build-up. Tension, flirting and anticipation matter more than jumping straight in.
- Character. The scene feels better when she stays herself: a shy dandere and a bold succubus should feel completely different.
- Setting. A few details of place and mood (candlelight, rain, a hotel room, a dream) carry a lot.
- Consent and pacing. Checking in, even in character, keeps it enjoyable for you.
- Continuity. A story that remembers what happened last time feels like a relationship, not a reset.
What to look for in an ERP-friendly app
- Clear rules, written down, so they don't change overnight
- Privacy: can staff read your chats?
- Memory, so the story and your preferences carry over
- Boundaries: can you tell the companion what you don't want, and will it remember?
- Voice and images, if you want more than text
- Control: can you steer the scene when it drifts?
The rules on Affiny
Allowed between fictional adults: romance, explicit chat, fantasy, dark fiction, BDSM and taboo scenarios.
Never allowed: anything involving minors or characters who look like minors, hate or extremism, glorifying real-world violence, impersonating real people, or harassing real people. See privacy and safety.
How it works on Affiny
- Everywhere. Adult roleplay works in regular chat, voice calls and image generation.
- Turn-ons. When you create a companion, you can pick up to 4 of 97 optional turn-ons that shape how she acts.
- Boundaries. Tell your companion what you're not into; it's saved to memory under the Boundary category.
- Personality sliders (subscribers). The Desire slider moves her from platonic closeness to flirty and explicit.
- God Mode (subscribers) lets you write scene directions and unlocks fully uncensored roleplay. God Mode.
- Your chats are private. No one at Affiny reads them or listens to your calls.
Tips for better ERP
- Set the scene first. Where are you, what's the mood, what just happened?
- Pick a companion who fits. A succubus and a dandere create very different scenes.
- Use Roleplay Mode for descriptive, immersive replies; Text Mode (subscribers) for flirty messaging. See chat tiers and modes.
- Say what you want, and what you don't. Your companion adapts, and remembers.
- Step out of character if needed. A quick OOC note ("let's slow down") works fine.
- Picture a moment. Adult scenes between fictional adults are supported in image generation.
Related: AI roleplay · God Mode · Replika alternatives · Privacy and safety
