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This article is about games in which one plays the role of a character. For their electronic counterparts, see Electronic role-playing games. An electronic role-playing game is a broad genre of video games.
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A role-playing game (RPG; often roleplaying game) is a game in which the participants assume the roles of fictional characters and collaboratively create or follow stories. The history of role-playing games begins with an earlier tradition of Role-playing, which combined with the rulesets of Fantasy wargames in the 1970s to give rise to Role-playing game terms are words used in a specific sense ( terms) in the context of Role-playing games This includes both terms used within RPGs to describe in-game A role-playing game theory is an academic or critical study of Role-playing games (RPGs as a social or artistic phenomenon A role-playing game system is a set of Game mechanics used in a Role-playing game (RPG A campaign setting is usually a Fictional world which serves as a setting for a Role-playing game or Wargame campaign This is a list of individuals that Design Role-playing games, including Live-action role-playing games but excluding computer and console This list includes manufacturers of Card games Board games miniatures games wargames Role-playing games and Collectible card games This is a list of Role-playing games (RPGs by name. For a list subdivided by Genre, see List of role-playing games by genre. This is a list of Role-playing games subdivided by Genre (although many games do not fit clearly into one genre or another A game is a structured activity, usually undertaken for Enjoyment and sometimes also used as an Educational tool A narrative or story is a construct created in a suitable format (written spoken poetry prose images song Theater, or Dance) that describes a sequence of Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines. UserScottandrewhutchins: http//enwikipediaorg/w/indexphp?title=Characterization&diff=next&oldid=157919139 --> Characterization is a process of conveying A role-playing game system is a set of Game mechanics used in a Role-playing game (RPG Within the rules, players can improvise freely; their choices shape the direction and outcome of the games. Improvisation (also called extemporization) is the practice of acting singing talking and reacting of making and creating in the moment and in response to the stimulus of

The main purpose of a role-playing game is to have fun playing it. That makes role-playing games fundamentally different from board games, card games, sports and most other types of games. A board game is a Game in which counters or pieces that are placed on removed from or moved across a "board" (a premarked surface usually specific to that game A card game is any Game using Playing cards either traditional or game-specific Sport is an Activity that is governed by a set of rules or Customs and often engaged in competitively Role-playing games are more collaborative and social than competitive. [1] A typical role-playing game unifies its participants to play as a group, instead of in competition. Like serials or novel sequences, these episodic games are often played in weekly sessions over a period of months or even years, although one session games are also common. Serials in Television and Radio are series often in a weekly Prime time slot that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a serial fashion A novel sequence is a set or series of Novels which share common themes characters or settings but where each novel has its own title and free-standing storyline and can thus

Role-playing games are a form of interactive and collaborative storytelling. Storytelling is the ancient art of conveying events in Words Images and Sounds often by Improvisation or embellishment Like novels or films, role-playing games appeal because they engage the imagination. A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story Imagination is the ability to form Mental images/sounds/feelings or the ability to Spontaneously Generate images/sounds/feelings within one's own Mind Interactivity is the crucial difference between role-playing games and traditional fiction. Whereas a viewer of a television show is a passive observer, a player at a role-playing game makes choices that affect the story. Such role-playing games extend an older tradition of storytelling games where a small party of friends collaborate to create a story. A storytelling game is a Game where two or more persons collaborate on telling a spontaneous story. Most role-playing games are conducted like radio drama: only the spoken component is acted, and players speak out of character to describe action and discuss game mechanics. Radio drama is a form of audio storytelling broadcast on radio. Out of character (sometimes abbreviated to OOC) is a phrase used in entertainment and Role-playing to differentiate between a person playing a character The genre of role-playing games in which players do perform their characters' physical actions is known as live-action roleplaying games (LARP). A live action role-playing game ( LARP) is a form of Role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions

While simple forms of role-playing exist in traditional children's games such as "cops and robbers", "cowboys and Indians" and "playing house", role-playing games add a level of sophistication and persistence to this basic idea. Some children's games include Apple core Aki 123 Bad Egg Ball Tag Blind Man's Bluff Participants in a role-playing game will generate specific characters and an ongoing plot. Mythos (Aristotle In literature the plot comprises all the events in a story particularly rendered towards the achievement of some particular Artistic or Emotional A consistent system of rules and a more or less realistic campaign setting in games aids suspension of disbelief. A campaign setting is usually a Fictional world which serves as a setting for a Role-playing game or Wargame campaign Suspension of disbelief or "willing suspension of disbelief" is an aesthetic theory intended to characterize people's relationships to art The level of realism in games ranges from just enough internal consistency to set up a believable story or credible challenge up to full-blown simulations of real-world processes. Realism in the Visual arts and Literature is the depiction of subjects as they appear in Everyday life, without embellishment or interpretation The GNS Theory, as originally developed by Ron Edwards, is a relatively amorphous body of work attempting to create a theory of how Role-playing games The GNS Theory, as originally developed by Ron Edwards, is a relatively amorphous body of work attempting to create a theory of how Role-playing games The GNS Theory, as originally developed by Ron Edwards, is a relatively amorphous body of work attempting to create a theory of how Role-playing games

Video games incorporating settings and game mechanics found in role-playing games are referred to as computer role-playing games, or CRPGs. A game mechanic is a construct of rules intended to produce an enjoyable Game or Gameplay. A computer role-playing game ( CRPG) is a broad Video game genre originally developed for personal computers and other home computers Due to the popularity of CRPGs, the terms "role-playing game" and "RPG" have both to some degree been co-opted by the video gaming industry; as a result, traditional non-digital pastimes of this sort are increasingly being referred to as "pen and paper" or "tabletop" role-playing games, though neither pen and paper nor a table are strictly necessary. Cultural appropriation is the adoption of some specific elements of one culture by a different cultural group

Contents

History

Main article: History of role-playing games

The assumption of roles was a central theme in some early 20th century activities such as the game Jury Box, mock trials, model legislatures, and "Theatre Games". The history of role-playing games begins with an earlier tradition of Role-playing, which combined with the rulesets of Fantasy wargames in the 1970s to give rise to In the 1960s, historical reenactment groups such as The Sealed Knot and the Society for Creative Anachronism began to perform "creative history" reenactments introducing fantasy elements, and in the 1970s fantasy wargames were developed, inspired by sword and sorcery fiction, in which each player controlled only a single unit, or "character". "Reenactment" redirects here For the 1968 Romanian film see The Reenactment. The Sealed Knot is a British historical association dedicated to costumed reenactment of Battles and events surrounding Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a historical re-creation and Living history group founded in 1966 which A fantasy wargame is a Wargame that involves a fantastical setting, and employs rules for items such as magic and non-human intelligent creatures Sword and sorcery ( S&S) is a fantasy subgenre generally characterized by swashbuckling heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts The earlier role-playing tradition was combined with the wargames' rule-based character representation to form the first role-playing games. [1][2]

Dungeons & Dragons, published in 1974 by Dave Arneson's and E. Gary Gygax's TSR, was the first commercially available role-playing game. Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by David L Arneson (born October 1, 1947 in Minnesota, United States) is an American Game designer. Ernest Gary Gygax ( July 27, 1938 &ndash March 4, 2008) ( IPA:) was an American Writer and Game designer TSR Inc was an American game publishing company most famous for publishing the Dungeons & Dragons Role-playing game. TSR marketed the game as a niche product. Gygax expected to sell about 50,000 copies total to a strictly hobbyist market. [3] After establishing itself in boutique stores it developed a cult following.

Another early game was Traveller, designed by Marc Miller and first published in 1977 by Game Designer's Workshop. Traveller is a series of related Science fiction Role-playing games the first published in 1977 by Game Designers' Workshop and subsequent editions Marc W Miller (born 1947 is an American Game designer. Miller was one of the founding partners of the Game Designers' Workshop (GDW and the original Game Designers' Workshop (GDW was a Wargame and Role-playing game publisher from 1973 to 1996. This was originally intended to be a system for playing generic space-opera-themed science-fiction adventures, in the same sense that Dungeons & Dragons was a system for generic fantasy adventures, but an optional suggested setting called the Third Imperium was detailed with the publication of following supplements and since then this setting has become strongly identified with the game.

Dungeons & Dragons was a subject of controversy in the 1980s when well-publicized opponents claimed it caused negative spiritual and psychological effects. Dungeons & Dragons controversies concern the first and most popular Role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D which has received significant attention in the " Badd " is the second single from the Ying Yang Twins album U Academic research has discredited these claims. [4] Some educators support role-playing games as a healthy way to hone reading and arithmetic skills. [5] Though role-playing has been accepted by many,[6] others continue to object. [7]

Due to the game's success, the term Dungeons & Dragons has sometimes been used as a generic term for fantasy role-playing games. A genericized trademark (also known as a generic trademark or proprietary eponym) is a Trademark or Brand name that has become the colloquial TSR undertook legal action to prevent its trademark from becoming generic. A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual [8]

Games such as GURPS and Champions also served to introduce to role-playing games game balance between player characters; later, Vampire: The Masquerade and similar games served to emphasize storytelling and plot and character development over rules and combat. The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, commonly known as GURPS, is a Role-playing game system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming Champions is a Role-playing game originally by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson, Bruce Harlick, and Ray Greer, published Game balance is a concept in Game design describing fairness or Balance of power in a Game between multiple players or strategic options Created by Mark Rein·Hagen, Vampire The Masquerade was the first of White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness live-action In recent years, rules stringency has been combined with literary techniques to develop games such as Dogs in the Vineyard that stress player input into a tense situation to give players moral agency in the course of the emerging story. Dogs in the Vineyard is an independently published Role-playing game written by D

Competition from computer role-playing games and collectible card games led to a decline in the role-playing game industry. A computer role-playing game ( CRPG) is a broad Video game genre originally developed for personal computers and other home computers Collectible card games (CCGs also called trading card games (TCGs or customizable card games (CCGs are played using specially designed sets of cards The financially troubled market leader TSR, Inc. was eventually purchased by Wizards of the Coast. TSR Inc was an American game publishing company most famous for publishing the Dungeons & Dragons Role-playing game. Wizards of the Coast (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of Games primarily based on Fantasy and [9] To better cope with the economics of role-playing games, and to combat growing bootlegging problems, they introduced a new regime of open gaming, allowing other companies to publish D&D-compatible supplements. Bootleg role-playing games are unauthorised copies of game instructions and gameplay rules of Role-playing games As with the music and video industries the business Open gaming is the movement within the Role-playing game (RPG industry that is somewhat similar to the Open source movement Meanwhile, self-defined "Indie roleplaying" communities arose on the internet, studying role-playing and developing several forms of role-playing game theory such as GNS Theory, and critical reflection on role-playing games has become popular in Scandinavia leading even to a yearly academic conference. An indie role-playing game is a Role-playing game published outside of traditional "mainstream" means A role-playing game theory is an academic or critical study of Role-playing games (RPGs as a social or artistic phenomenon The GNS Theory, as originally developed by Ron Edwards, is a relatively amorphous body of work attempting to create a theory of how Role-playing games

In thirty years the genre has grown from a few hobbyists and boutique publishers to an economically significant part of the games industry. Grass-roots and small business involvement remains substantial while larger projects have attracted several million players worldwide. Games industry leader Hasbro purchased Wizards of the Coast in 1999 for an estimated $325 million. Hasbro ( is an American Toy company It is one of the largest toy makers in the world second only to the toy giant Mattel. [10]

Varieties

In traditional role-playing games, participants usually sit around a table and conduct the game as a small social gathering. One participant, the "gamemaster" (GM), describes the setting and the actions of the inhabitants, while the others describe their characters' actions and responses. A Gamemaster or Game Master (often abbreviated as GM) is a player in a multiplayer Game who acts as organizer arbitrator and officiant in rules situations Players usually keep track of the details of their character(s) on paper character-sheets. The game system typically requires players to roll dice or employ some sort of randomizer to determine the outcome of some of their actions, most typically in combat or other stressful situations. These are also known as tabletop or paper and pencil role-playing games, to distinguish them from LARPs or computer role-playing games. [11] [12] Games that emphasize plot and character interaction over game mechanics and combat sometimes prefer the name storytelling game. A storytelling game is a Game where two or more persons collaborate on telling a spontaneous story. These types of games tend to minimize or altogether eliminate the use of dice or other randomizing elements.

Electronic media

The challenge of producing a video game with which players can interact through role-playing, rather than simply a framework within which they can interact with each other, is yet to be answered. A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. Within the computer industry, the term "RPG" instead refers to role-playing video games. An electronic role-playing game is a broad genre of video games. It has so far proved impossible to recreate the flexibility, characterization, and depth of traditional roleplaying gaming.

Nonetheless, computers and other electronic media are not unknown in role-playing. Computer-assisted role-playing games blend elements of traditional role-playing with computer gaming. Computer-assisted gaming (or CAG refers to games which are at least partially computerized but which are actively regulated by a human referee Computers are used for record-keeping and sometimes to resolve combat, while the participants generally make decisions concerning character interaction. This may include tools used to facilitate traditional pen & paper games to be played over the internet. Such tools may be nothing more than an IRC program, but there is also specialized software which includes built-in functions for dice, character sheets, mapping, and such (e. g. , OpenRPG). OpenRPG is a Computer-assisted role-playing game application that allows people to play Role-playing games in real-time over the internet

Some role-playing games use the internet as their medium. Online text-based role-playing games, in which players interact through a text-based medium rather than face-to-face, are popular on the internet. An Some games are played in a turn-based fashion, whether play-by-mail games using email, or play-by-post games on internet forums. Play-by-mail games are Games of any type played through postal Mail or e-mail. Electronic mail, often abbreviated to e-mail, email, or originally eMail, is a Store-and-forward method of writing sending receiving A play-by-post game (PbP is an Online text-based role-playing game. An, or message board, is a Bulletin board system in the form of a discussion site Others are played in a more real-time way, similar to offline games, over TELNET or IRC; these are known as MUDs. Telnet ( Tel ecommunication net work is a Network protocol used on the Internet or local area network (LAN connections In computer gaming, a MUD ( Multi-User Dungeon, Domain or Dimension) is a multi-player computer game that combines elements of Finally, some people use internet chat clients or dedicated virtual tabletop software to play what would otherwise be a traditional RPG.

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are also a popular form for computer role-play, as it combines the benefits of both computer role-playing games, and text-based role-playing games. A massively multiplayer online role-playing game ( MMORPG) is a genre of Computer role-playing games (CRPGs in which a large number of players interact with [13]

The upcoming Fourth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons is slated to make use of an online Digital Tabletop and numerous online tools to expedite play of the game as part of their D&D Insiders program. [14]

Live-action

A live action role-playing game (LARP), is played more like improvisational theatre. A live action role-playing game ( LARP) is a form of Role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions Improvisational theatre (also known as improv or impro) is a form of Theatre in which the Actors use Improvisational acting techniques Instead of describing their characters' actions, participants act out their characters' actions, often in costume. Further, the players' environment is used to represent the imaginary environment of the game world.

LARPs de-emphasize die rolls and rulebook references. Theatre-style live action role-playing games often use rock-paper-scissors or direct comparison of attributes to resolve conflicts symbolically, while some LARPS use physical combat with foam weapons. Rock-paper-scissors (also known as scissors-paper-stone, Jan-ken-pon, rochambeau (sometimes spelled roshambo) A foam weapon, (also known as a boffer or latex weapon) is a padded weapon used for simulated combat LARPs vary in size from a handful of players to several thousand, and in duration from a couple of hours to whole weeks. [15]

Freeform

Freeform role-playing games are played with minimal or no formal rules and a greater focus on character or plot development, with the organizers as referees. Freeform role-playing games, also called freeforms, are a type of Role-playing game which employ minimal or no rules occupying a middle-ground between traditional A referee is a person who has authority to make decisions about play in many Sports Officials in various sports are known by a variety of titles including referee Most free-form games are also live-action games, though they exist in both traditional and computer-assisted forms. Free-form games are most often seen at gaming conventions, though they are also sometimes run by gaming clubs or a dedicated team of independent GM's. A gaming convention is typically a two- or three-day convention at which people play Role-playing games, Collectible card games, miniatures wargames A club is an association of people united by a common interest or goal

Game systems

Main article: role-playing game system

The set of rules of a role-playing game is known as its game system; the rules themselves are known as game mechanics. A role-playing game system is a set of Game mechanics used in a Role-playing game (RPG A game mechanic is a construct of rules intended to produce an enjoyable Game or Gameplay. Although there are game systems which are shared by many games, for example the d20 system, many games have their own, custom rules system. The d20 System is a Role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons

Many role-playing games require the participation of a gamemaster (GM), who creates a setting for the game session, portrays most of its inhabitants, known as non-player character (NPCs) and acts as the moderator and rules arbitrator for the players. A Gamemaster or Game Master (often abbreviated as GM) is a player in a multiplayer Game who acts as organizer arbitrator and officiant in rules situations A non-player character, often shortened to NPC, is a character that is controlled by the Gamemaster in Role-playing games or one that is not The rest of the participants create and play inhabitants of the game setting, known as player characters (PCs). A player character or playable character (PC is a Fictional character in a Video game or Role playing game who is controlled or controllable The player characters collectively are known as a "party".

During a typical game session, the GM will introduce a story goal for the players to achieve through the actions of their characters. Frequently, this involves interacting with non-player characters, other denizens of the game world, which are played by the GM. A non-player character, often shortened to NPC, is a character that is controlled by the Gamemaster in Role-playing games or one that is not Many game sessions contain moments of puzzle solving, negotiation, chases, and combat. The goal may be made clear to the players at the outset, or may become clear to them during the course of a game.

Some games, such as Polaris and Primetime Adventures, have distributed the authority of the GM to different players and to different degrees. At least three Role-playing games are called Polaris. Polaris (1997 Polaris (published in 1997 is a French-language post-apocalyptic Primetime Adventures is a Role-playing game by Matt Wilson, independently published by Dog-eared Designs. This technique is often used to ensure that all players are involved in producing a situation that is interesting and that conflicts of interest suffered by the GM are avoided on a systemic level.

Games rules determine the success or failure of a character's actions. Many game systems use weighted statistics and dice rolls or other random elements. A statistic (or stat) in Role-playing games is a piece of Data which represents a particular aspect of a Fictional character. Dice notation (also known as dice algebra, common dice notation, RPG dice notation, and several other titles is a system to represent different combinations In most systems, the GM uses the rules to determine a target number though often the targets are determined in a more principled fashion. The player rolls dice, trying to get a result either more than or less than the target number, depending on the game system. Not all games determine successes randomly, however; an early and popular game without random elements is Amber Diceless Roleplaying Game by Erick Wujcik (1990). The Amber Diceless Roleplaying Game is a Role-playing game created and written by Erick Wujcik, set in the Fictional universe created by Erick Wujcik ( January 26, 1951 &ndash June 7, 2008) was an American designer of both Role-playing games and Computer role-playing

Most systems are tied to the setting of the game they feature in. However, some universal role-playing game systems can be adapted to any genre. A generic role-playing game system or universal role-playing game system is a Role-playing game system designed to be independent of setting and Genre The first game to feature such a system, GURPS, is accompanied by a number of sourcebooks which allow games to be created in different genres. The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, commonly known as GURPS, is a Role-playing game system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming The d20 system, based on the older role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, is used in many modern games such as Spycraft and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by Spycraft is a d20 -based Role-playing game dealing with superspies and modern action The Star Wars Roleplaying Game is a D20 System -based Roleplaying game set in the Star Wars universe

In practice, even universal systems are often biased toward a specific style or genre and adaptable to others. For example, although the d20 system has sourcebooks for modern and futuristic settings, most published d20 system material stays within Dungeons & Dragons' combat-focused fantasy milieu. d20 Modern is a Roleplaying game designed by Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, and Charles Ryan. d20 Future is an accessory for the D20 Modern Role-playing game written by Christopher Perkins, Rodney Thompson, and Hack and slash or hack and slay can refer to either a subgenre of Action game, or a type of Gameplay.

Statistics

Main article: Statistic (role-playing games)

Characters in role-playing games are usually represented by a number of statistics. A statistic (or stat) in Role-playing games is a piece of Data which represents a particular aspect of a Fictional character. Statistics are an abstract measure of how successful a character is likely to be at a class of tasks. Many game systems make distinctions between two key types of statistic: attributes and skills. An attribute is a piece of data (a “ statistic ” that describes to what extent a Fictional character in a Role-playing game possesses a specific A statistic (or stat) in Role-playing games is a piece of Data which represents a particular aspect of a Fictional character. Some, such as Burning Wheel and The Shadow of Yesterday include character motivations among these resources. The Burning Wheel is a Fantasy Role-playing game independently written and published by Luke Crane. The Shadow of Yesterday (also TSoY) is a fantasy Narrativist indie Role-playing game, designed by Clinton R These names are not at all consistent across different games, however.

Attributes are statistics all characters possess: strength, agility, and intelligence are common examples. These are ranked, often on a numeric scale, so that a player can gauge the character's capabilities. For example, a character's strength rating could be used to determine the likelihood that the character can lift a certain weight.

Skills are abilities that only some characters possess, such as negotiation, horseback riding, and marksmanship. Game systems often define skills that are genre-appropriate. For example, fantasy settings generally include magic skills, while science-fiction settings may contain spaceship piloting skills. Some Role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the Paranormal sense However, some skills are found in several genres: a medieval rogue and a Wild West outlaw may both be very proficient at throwing knives.

Character motivations are things that the character will fight for. The Riddle of Steel's Spiritual Attributes, Burning Wheel's Beliefs and The Shadow of Yesterday's Keys are such features. The Riddle of Steel (abbreviated as TRoS) is a Role-playing game (RPG created by Jacob Norwood and published by Driftwood Publishing The Burning Wheel is a Fantasy Role-playing game independently written and published by Luke Crane. The Shadow of Yesterday (also TSoY) is a fantasy Narrativist indie Role-playing game, designed by Clinton R They might reveal secrets the character has kept, aspirations they hold, or other characters they care about.

Character creation

Main article: Character creation

Before play begins, players develop a concept of the role they would like to play in the game. Character creation (also character generation or character design) is the process of defining a Fictional character for a game They then use the game system's character creation rules to form a representation of their characters, in terms of game mechanics. The character's statistics are recorded on a special-purpose form called a character sheet. A character sheet is a record of a Player character in a Role-playing game, including whatever details notes game statistics and background information a player Some systems, such as that of Feng Shui, require characters to choose from a set of pre-built template characters with only a small amount of customization allowed. Feng Shui is a Martial arts -themed Role-playing game, designed by Robin Laws, published first by Daedalus Entertainment and now by Others, like the d20 System, use character classes to define most character concepts, but allow some freedom with the statistics within those classes. The d20 System is a Role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons This article is about a concept in role-playing games For character classes specific to Dungeons and Dragons see Character class (Dungeons & Dragons. Still others, such as GURPS, allow the player to create their own character concepts by freely assigning statistics. The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, commonly known as GURPS, is a Role-playing game system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming

Game statistics are not a substitute for a character concept. For example, one Wild West gunfighter may become a quick drawing revolver marksman, whereas another with similar game statistics could be a mounted rifle expert. Many systems take this into account, requiring statistics to be described, such as Dogs in the Vineyard's Traits and Possessions. Dogs in the Vineyard is an independently published Role-playing game written by D

Template-based systems have the advantage of easy and quick character creation. It also provides the GM with the means to spend less time approving each character for play. The sacrifice is in flexibility and concept. Templates are essentially pre-built characters that are balanced against each other and pre-approved by the game companies.

Class-based systems give slightly more freedom but still require a player to choose from a set number of roles for their character. The character's powers are generally set by the character class, but the specific statistics are assigned by the player.

Character point-based systems allow complete freedom of concept. Character points are abstract units used in some Role-playing games during Character creation. The downside is that, in many cases, character creation is much more complex, making the GM spend a lot more time examining and approving each character concept.

A few games allow free-form character creation. Characteristics are simply assigned as a player sees fit, and the final result is submitted to the GM or group for approval. Free-form character creation can be implemented in any game system, but is only rarely the prescribed or assumed method.

Campaign settings

Main article: Campaign setting

Each game has a setting in which adventures and campaigns can take place. A campaign setting is usually a Fictional world which serves as a setting for a Role-playing game or Wargame campaign In Fiction, the setting of a story includes the time location and circumstances in which it takes place An adventure is either a Published or otherwise written collection of plot character and location details used by a Gamemaster to manage the plot or See also Campaign setting. In Role-playing games, a campaign' is a continuing storyline or set of adventures typically Usually a campaign setting is designed for a specific game (such as the Forgotten Realms setting for Dungeons & Dragons) or a specific genre of game (such as Medieval fantasy, World War 2, or outer space/science fiction adventure). The Forgotten Realms is a Campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D Fantasy Role-playing game, created by Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by There are numerous campaign settings available both in print and online. In addition to published campaign settings available for purchase, many game masters create their own. A Gamemaster or Game Master (often abbreviated as GM) is a player in a multiplayer Game who acts as organizer arbitrator and officiant in rules situations

Campaign settings exist for almost all genres of fiction; however, because the world's most popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, is part of the fantasy genre, fantasy is also the most played role-playing genre. Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated as D&D or DnD) is a Fantasy Role-playing game (RPG originally designed by RPGs of the fantasy genre are sometimes collectively called "Fantasy role-playing games" ("FRP").

The use of the term "world" in describing a campaign setting is loose, at best. Campaign worlds such as the World of Greyhawk detail entire cosmologies and time-lines of thousands of years, while the setting of a game such as Deadlands might only describe one nation within a brief segment of alternate history. Greyhawk, also known as the World Deadlands is a genre-mixing alternate history Roleplaying game which combines the Western and horror genres Alternate history or alternative history is a subgenre of Speculative fiction (or Science fiction) and Historical fiction

There are three primary types of campaign setting. The first exists in genre- and setting-specific role-playing games such as Warhammer or World of Darkness which exist specifically within one setting. A genre (ˈʒɑːnrə also /ˈdʒɑːnrə/ from French "kind" or "sort" from Latin: genus (stem gener-) is a loose set Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (abbreviated to WFRP or WHFRP) is a Role-playing game set in the Warhammer Fantasy The World of Darkness (or WoD) is the name given to three related but distinct Fictional universes The first was conceived by Mark Rein-Hagen, while the The second type of setting is for games that have multiple settings such as modern Dungeons & Dragons or those that were developed specifically to be independent of setting such as GURPS. The Generic Universal RolePlaying System, commonly known as GURPS, is a Role-playing game system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming The final type of setting is developed without being tied to a particular game system. Typically this last sort are developed first as stand-alone works of fiction, which are later adapted to one or more role playing systems such as the Star Wars universe or Middle-earth. Star Wars is an epic Space opera franchise initially conceived by George Lucas during the 1970s and significantly expanded Middle-earth refers to the fictional lands where most of the stories of author J

The range of genres represented by published settings is vast, and includes nearly all genres of fiction. While role-playing's roots began in fantasy, science fiction has been used in settings such as Traveller, horror formed the baseline of the World of Darkness and Call of Cthulhu and Spycraft was based in modern-day spy thriller-oriented settings. Fantasy is a Genre that uses magic and other Supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting Traveller is a series of related Science fiction Role-playing games the first published in 1977 by Game Designers' Workshop and subsequent editions Horror fiction is broadly Fiction in any medium intended to scare unsettle or horrify the audience Call of Cthulhu is a Horror fiction Role-playing game based on H Spycraft is a d20 -based Role-playing game dealing with superspies and modern action The Genre of spy fiction —sometimes called political thriller or spy thriller or sometimes shortened simply to Spy-fi —arose before

A small number of campaign settings fuse multiple genres into a single game. In GURPS Infinite Worlds, for example, the characters play "Infinity Patrol" agents who travel to alternate worlds. GURPS Infinite Worlds is a supplement for the Fourth Edition of the GURPS Role-playing game, published by Steve Jackson Games in Parallel universe or alternative reality is a self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own

Publishers

Main article: List of publishers of role-playing games

The largest publisher of role-playing games is Wizards of the Coast, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hasbro and publisher of Dungeons & Dragons, the D20 Star Wars RPG, and a number of smaller D20 titles. This list includes manufacturers of Card games Board games miniatures games wargames Role-playing games and Collectible card games Wizards of the Coast (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of Games primarily based on Fantasy and Hasbro ( is an American Toy company It is one of the largest toy makers in the world second only to the toy giant Mattel. Most analysts give White Wolf the second largest industry market share, with the company itself claiming an average market share of 22% since 1991 [1], and the highest share in live-action games. Most role-playing game publishers are privately held companies and do not release sales figures, making precise estimates difficult. There has been no publicly available, systematic examination of point of sale data, limiting further estimates to a rough consensus between industry analysts whose conclusions are often controversial.

Market research conducted at Wizards of the Coast in 1999-2000 indicated that more than 1. 5 million people played D&D on a monthly basis, and about 2 million people played all tabletop RPGs combined on a monthly basis. The success of the 3rd Edition of Dungeons & Dragons likely resulted in an increase in those totals. These figures for play are substantially larger than the figures for sales. In 2006, non-Dungeons & Dragons tabletop RPGs in the upper echelons of sales typically generated between five and ten thousand unit sales. Most commercially published RPGs are small press products, having less than a thousand units sold. See also Alternative media Small press is a term often used to describe Publishers with annual sales below a certain level The technology of print on demand is strongly used in RPGs, since it reduces run costs for the typical small print runs. Print on demand (POD, sometimes called publish on demand, is a Printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book (or other document are not

Business models

Role-playing games are produced under a variety of business models which succeed or fail based on those models' objectives. The smallest viable businesses are one person companies that produce games using print on demand and e-book technologies. Print on demand (POD, sometimes called publish on demand, is a Printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book (or other document are not An e-book (for electronic book: also ebook) is the Digital media equivalent of a conventional printed Book. Most of these companies provide a secondary income for their owner-operators. Many of these businesses employ freelancers, but some do not; their owners complete every aspect of the product. A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer Larger companies may have a small office staff that manages publishing, brand development and freelance work. Guided by a developer/manager, freelancers produce most of a game line's content according to a central plan. Finally, a few companies (such Wizards of the Coast and Mongoose Publishing) maintain an in-house writing and design staff. Mongoose Publishing is a prolific British manufacturer of role-playing, miniatures, and Card games actively publishing material since 2001

The standard business model for successful RPGs relies on multiple sales avenues:

Typically, RPG publishers have a very long life cycle once they manage to generate an initial successful game. TSR, the initial publisher of Dungeons & Dragons was an independent entity until 1997 when it was acquired by Wizards of the Coast, who was subsequently acquired by Hasbro in 1999. Many of TSR's contemporaries remain in business as independent publishers. The core design group of a publisher is often kept as a team within the new company for the purposes of continuity and productivity, though layoffs are common after such mergers and acquisitions. Layoff is the temporary suspension or permanent Termination of employment of an Employee or (more commonly a group of employees for Business reasons For example, Wizards of the Coast experienced multiple layoffs in the wake of acquiring Last Unicorn Games and after its own acquisition by Hasbro. Last Unicorn Games was a games publisher that was eventually absorbed by Wizards of the Coast. Hasbro ( is an American Toy company It is one of the largest toy makers in the world second only to the toy giant Mattel.

Publishing Associations

The Game Publishers Association (GPA) was formed to assist adventure game publishers. The stated goals of the GPA include facilitation of communication between game publishers and others in the gaming community and promotion of the adventure gaming industry as a whole. [16] The GPA maintains a member database, publishes a mailing list, and offers a "press exploder" tool which issues press releases to game-related outlets. The association guidelines are published on the organization's website. [17]

Indie publishers

Main article: Indie role-playing game

Indie games are produced by a self-identified independent games community, or individuals who identify with that community. An indie role-playing game is a Role-playing game published outside of traditional "mainstream" means Generally they are self-published or published by a collective group of small publishers. The indie role-playing game community often produces games with signature and idiosyncratic character. Some indie publishers often eschew the three-tier distribution model and sell directly online and at conventions, or directly to stores, but many do use distribution services. A gaming convention is typically a two- or three-day convention at which people play Role-playing games, Collectible card games, miniatures wargames The line between "indie" publishers and "mainstream" publishers is hazy at best. Varying definitions require that commercial, design, or conceptual elements of the game stay under the control of the creator, or that the game should just be produced outside of a corporate environment, or be distributed without dependence on the industry's three-tier retail structure.

Homebrew

Homebrew games are game systems designed by amateurs, most often for use by one gaming group. The term refers to a group's GM making or 'brewing' his or her unique set of rules to fit the campaign setting, or to appeal to the specific interests of the players. The term 'Homebrew' can describe anything from customizing an existing commercial product (by adding or changing a few minor rules), to creating an entire standalone system. Most long-running campaigns will eventually develop into a homebrew state, as "in house" rules, misunderstandings or selective application of rule-system accumulates.

References

  1. ^ a b Rilstone, Andrew (1994). Role-Playing Games: An Overview (HTML). RPGnet. Retrieved on 2006-09-01. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.
  2. ^ Where we've been and where we're going. : "Generation 1" games
  3. ^ Interview with Gary Gygax at Atlas of Adventure
  4. ^ The Attacks on Roleplaying Games - originally from the Skeptical Inquirer
  5. ^ An educator's opinion of role-playing games
  6. ^ Christian Gamers Guild explaining that one may be Christian and a roleplayer at the same time
  7. ^ "Dark Dungeons", a Jack Chick comic tract portraying D&D as the "Filth of Satan" and promoting book burning
  8. ^ TSR, Inc. v. Mayfair Games, Inc., No. Jack Thomas Chick (born April 13, 1924) is an American Publisher, writer and comic book artist, and has been called the most published Book burning (a category of biblioclasm or book destruction is the practice of destroying often ceremoniously, one or more copies of a book or other written material 91 C 0417 (1993).
  9. ^ Wizards of the Coast to acquire TSR, Ken Tidwell April 10, 1997
  10. ^ WotC buyout by Hasbro at about. com
  11. ^ An Introduction to Tabletop RPG's. Retrieved on 2007-09-14. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
  12. ^ Role-playing game - definition of Role-playing game - Labor Law Talk Dictionary. Retrieved on 2007-09-14. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 81 - Domitian becomes Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
  13. ^ Chart of Subscriber Growth, http://www.mmogchart.com
  14. ^ Dungeons & Dragons(R) Flashes 4-ward at Gen Con. Retrieved on 2007-10-31. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse
  15. ^ rec. games. frp. live-action Live Roleplaying FAQ
  16. ^ "GPA Mission Statement", Oct, 1996 Game Publishers Association Dupuis, Ann <http://www.thegpa.org/>.
  17. ^ "Game Publishers Association Operating Guidelines", Ratified Jan. 15, 1995 Adopted as Amended June 1, 2005 Game Publisher's Association <http://www.thegpa.org/>.

See also

External links

Lists and reviews

Community

Dictionary

role-playing game

-noun

  1. (games) A type of game, played either with pencil and paper, on a computer, or through another medium, in which the player(s) assume the role of a character. Gameplay is usually determined in part by statistics attached to each character and frequently influenced by a character class. Abbreviation: RPG.
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