Role-playing game

Dice are commonly used in tabletop role-playing games

A role-playing game (RPG) is a sort of creative game in which players tell the story of characters in a shared imagined space. This wiki relates specifically to the type of role-playing game called tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG) or pen-and-paper role-playing games (P&P RPG), although other forms exist (including live action role-playing games and computer role-playing games).

Although solo role-playing games exist, role-playing is generally a social activity for groups of players at a (real or metaphorical) table, who play the game through a conversation or discussion and agree on the events of the story according to the system of the game.

The first modern role-playing game is generally considered to be the original Dungeons & Dragons from 1974.

Definition of a role-playing game

Although there is no universally accepted definition of a role-playing game that includes everything that is considered a role-playing game and excludes everything that is not, a general idea of a role-playing game can be derived from the following principles:

1. A role-playing game takes the form of a narration, with the story that emerges consisting of a series of logically connected events in a game world (the narrative principle).
2. Critical game decisions are made collaboratively by using an agreed system (the Lumpley Principle).
3. At least one player takes on the role of a specific character, making decisions as if they are that character.
4. Any possible action that could be taken by a character can be adjudicated within the immersive framework of the game (the freedom principle).

Games other than role-playing games

In an improvisational game, criterion one is not present. An example would be a theatre game in which participants had to act out characters called out by an MC or the audience.

In make-believe, criterion two is not present. Decisions are made using standard social conventions. Cops and robbers and freeform LARP are make-believe games.

In a narrative game, the third criterion is not present. Players are narrating about characters, not as them. Once Upon a Time is a game like this; you can tell a story about just about anything, but you are not truly any one character within the game.

In a traditional game, the fourth criterion is not present. If there is no rule for it, you cannot attempt it. An example would be a board game, or a storytelling game that allowed only certain kinds of actions or decisions. Talisman is a game like this, as is the Baron Munchausen Role-playing Game (despite the name).

Note that since role-playing games include all the elements, they may at time incorporate other modes. But all the role-playing criteria have to be present at least some of the time to be a true role-playing game. At times, players might participate in a narrative mode; this is called meta-gaming. Traditional game elements come into play when the rules specify the kinds of results from specific actions. Some parts of role-playing require few rules; this is often described as immersion, and operates in the make-believe mode. Role-playing games often emphasize decisions or action more than continuity; when narration becomes disconnected or unimportant, the game might be described as beer-and-pretzels, gonzo, hack-and-slash, or surrealism.

External links

• Role-playing game at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
• Tabletop role-playing game at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
• What is a Role-Playing Game? at John H. Kim's Role-Playing Game Page
• An Introduction to Tabletop RPGs at John H. Kim's Role-Playing Game Page