Deffinition of RPG please help clarify

[BaneX]

Ok im on another forum and an on going arguement is going that there are some people who want to claim that every game is an rpg game.My question to you is what does a game need in your eyes to be considered a roleplaying game.Mines pretty simple

1. charecter development
2. side quests
3.decisions to be made that could affect the outcome.

Now someone commented that tombraider is an rpg and i about lost it.They stated because you are playing the role of lara croft.But my arguement right back is, theres no alternate path everything has to be done 1 way to get through to the next area.Sure theres a storyline, but you could play it over and over and nothing would ever change.IMO a game needs the 3 things i listed to be an rpg and normally if it was 1 person that just made the arguement, i wouldnt mind but its actually a 50/50 split. has that forum lost there mind or is it just me??

I came to you guys because this is the most gaming intelligent forum out there.I buy most of my games from the reccomendations here.I

[Renzatic Gear]

I'd say the defintion is pretty simple..you're playing the role of your character based on how you'd want to play him. Having multiple solutions and dialog paths, quests, and NPC's in an ever expanding explorable world is my definition of an RPG.

[Friend_Bear]

There is two definations of RPG, Renzatic Gear explained one way and the other way is the more traditional RPG copied from the original Dungeons & Dragons series where you create a character and based on your actions and enemys killed you gain experience to futher develop your character.

Other so-called RPGS such as the Zelda series and others like them are pseudo-rpgs where its true that you control a character and interact with the universe you have been placed in however you don't gain experience points for doing actions and killing monsters, so there not true rpgs.

For me, if you create a character/s and they gain experience and grow beyond there original creation, then its an RPG or at least has rpg elements.

[no.1gamer]

RPG (n) : a computer language that generates programs from the user's specifications esp. to produce business reports

Before you dismiss this definition of the term "Role-Playing Game," you should also know that the origin of the term is from 1966 which was the beginning of the "RPG video game" you're trying to define. Of course, back then you wouldn't see flashy graphics or complex battle systems. Actually you wouldn't see any graphics at all, as the entire adventure was text based.

If you consider yourself not only a gamer but also a nerd, you already know that "RPGs" can be played with dice and paper to substitute any form of "computer language."

Feel free to distinguish the difference between turn based, action, MMORPG or strategic RPGs. Each will have fully 3 dimensional graphics as well as digital 5.1 surround sound. Also feel free to distinguish the difference between these and an "RPG" that can be played with hundred year old technology (dice and writing utensil).

I honestly can't distinguish the differences. And I already put my dictionary away, so I'll conclude this post by saying that Final Fantasy 3 for the Super Nintendo is my favorite "RPG." And until I experience another "RPG" that can entertain me more than FF3, it will remain my definitive "RPG."

I hope this helps with the search for the answer to your question...

[T.Tashi]

Ok im on another forum and an on going arguement is going that there are some people who want to claim that every game is an rpg game.My question to you is what does a game need in your eyes to be considered a roleplaying game.Mines pretty simple

1. charecter development
2. side quests
3.decisions to be made that could affect the outcome.

Now someone commented that tombraider is an rpg and i about lost it.They stated because you are playing the role of lara croft.But my arguement right back is, theres no alternate path everything has to be done 1 way to get through to the next area.Sure theres a storyline, but you could play it over and over and nothing would ever change.IMO a game needs the 3 things i listed to be an rpg and normally if it was 1 person that just made the arguement, i wouldnt mind but its actually a 50/50 split. has that forum lost there mind or is it just me??

I came to you guys because this is the most gaming intelligent forum out there.I buy most of my games from the reccomendations here.I
Ah that's easy! +12 drawven axe 4% against the undead. If a game has that in it, it's a rpg.

Seriously though, the last time I got into a debate like this, after everyone gave their definition, Madden ended up being a rpg. :rolleyes: I'm from the pen and paper days so yeah it's a peeve for me too...

You need #1 an element of fantasy, be it swords and sorcery or space travel.

#2 Character development, storywise and stat wise. P&P D&D is a highly mathematical affair with lots of dice rolls and modifiers. Sure under the hood any game is lots of math, but in an rpg all those numbers are readily available too see and manipulate. HP, magic points, strength, defense, constitution, dexterity, alignment, etc. and all these are relative very directly to gameplay. Tpyically the more stat tracking you have the more rpg you have. The fewer stats a game has the less of a rpg it is.... imho.

#3 Item juggling. What's a rpg without a ton of junk to sort thru?

But sometimes the line is really blurred... Draken... rpg or no? I say action adventure but I wouldn't argue if someone said Draken was a rpg.

[MyDogTheProphet]

Video game RPG:-

Invented by Americans with classic titles like Ultima, Wizardry & Rogue

Refined by the Japanese with Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star & Dragon Quest (and to some extent Zelda)

Perfected by Bioware (Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights) Sonic Team (Shining series, Phantasy Star) Square (Chronotrigger, Secret Of Mana.) Black Isle (Planetscape:Torment, Fallout)

anyone who says otherwise is just talking out of their backsides

[Aku]

Video game RPG:-

Invented by Americans with classic titles like Ultima, Wizardry & Rogue

Refined by the Japanese with Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star & Dragon Quest (and to some extent Zelda)

Perfected by Bioware (Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights) Sonic Team (Shining series, Phantasy Star) Square (Chronotrigger, Secret Of Mana.) Black Isle (Planetscape:Torment, Fallout)

anyone who says otherwise is just talking out of their backsides

Secret of Mana! Wow, I played that one about ten years ago on my old Super Nintendo. If I remember right, you had three people in your party (including yourself). I only remember parts of it now, like a village in the desert, and this island. And the final battle against some giant dragon. I remember liking the music. It was just a fun game.

[Aku]

Two other great old consle RPGs were Crystalis and Scheherrezade (sp?), both on the original NES. Scheherrezade was a great game, with a good story, music, and fun gameplay. Legend of Zelda on the SNES was also a lot of fun. I should be posting this on the console forums, lol, but these games are what springobarded me to pc gaming, and I really miss them.

[Renzatic Gear]

Oh man! Crystalis! I loved that game. Back in the day when it was still a brand new game I remember renting it like 10 times in a row, too bad SNK never made a sequel.

[Friend_Bear]

Secret of Mana is still in my top 10 of all-time best RPGS. The game is a classic.

[Friend_Bear]

Ah that's easy! +12 drawven axe 4% against the undead. If a game has that in it, it's a rpg.

Seriously though, the last time I got into a debate like this, after everyone gave their definition, Madden ended up being a rpg. :rolleyes: I'm from the pen and paper days so yeah it's a peeve for me too...

You need #1 an element of fantasy, be it swords and sorcery or space travel.

#2 Character development, storywise and stat wise. P&P D&D is a highly mathematical affair with lots of dice rolls and modifiers. Sure under the hood any game is lots of math, but in an rpg all those numbers are readily available too see and manipulate. HP, magic points, strength, defense, constitution, dexterity, alignment, etc. and all these are relative very directly to gameplay. Tpyically the more stat tracking you have the more rpg you have. The fewer stats a game has the less of a rpg it is.... imho.

#3 Item juggling. What's a rpg without a ton of junk to sort thru?

But sometimes the line is really blurred... Draken... rpg or no? I say action adventure but I wouldn't argue if someone said Draken was a rpg.

I agree, often there is a very fine line between RPG and Action Adventure

[Aku]

Seriously though, the last time I got into a debate like this, after everyone gave their definition, Madden ended up being a rpg. :rolleyes: I'm from the pen and paper days so yeah it's a peeve for me too...

I always think of Jagged Alliance 2 as an rpg. It's a tactical combat game, but you have a party, they have character traits and statistics, they have special skills, they gain experience, there's a storyline, you interact with NPCs, it's non-linear, there are what you could call 'quests' where you have choices.

[Deathstroke]

Well, if you want to get really technical about it, there are no games that allow you to play as an actor right? Therefore, there really is no such thing as an RPG.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

I agree, often there is a very fine line between RPG and Action Adventure

LOL... I would disagree strongly with this. An RPG game has stats, choices, and branching storylines that offer moral dilemmas to the characters for the most part, and are intregal to the storyline and characters' well-being, in the long-run (eternal damnation, saving graces, mercy killings). Combat is generally D20 in nature, and has a group of characters interacting with each other in a group, in order to make up short-comings in their own makeup, or with a huge variety of other characters (NPC's) who offer clues and services. Inventory weight (encumbrance) is often an added worry, as is scope, travel and time frame/constraints. Levels, skill and stat advancement are the norm. Let's not get this more complicated than it needs to be people! :p

RPG- Morrowind, Phantasy, Ultima, Neverwinter Nights, Evil Islands, Zelda....

Action/Adventure- Drakan, Mario Sunshine, Grand Theft Auto 3, Tomb Raider, Project Eden...

Most Action Adventure games don't have long-lasting moral dilemmas, with the abilty to hose down and kill most NPC's with impunity... If a key character is killed, restarts/reloads are generally in enforced. Choices are either A) or B). Combat is mainly twitch-shooting, third-person, and fast and furious... not deliberate and planned as in RPG's. Encumbrance is not normally a worry, with the ability to carry hundreds of items, the norm. Levels (as in area levels or zones) replace character levels, and mark progression through a game, with little or no time contraints.

The two catagories are black and white.

[Renzatic Gear]

Well, if you want to get really technical about it, there are no games that allow you to play as an actor right? Therefore, there really is no such thing as an RPG.
Actually Planescape comes pretty close to that, offering multiple outcomes to the same situations and whatnot.

[Deathstroke]

But do you get to play an actor?

[Suicides-by-Steve]

But do you get to play an actor?

In Morrowind Tribunal you DO get to play as an actor... It's actually pretty funny. You're given a couple minutes to read this ridiculously HUGE script, that is then acted out verbatim on-stage. The playwright just previous to you going on-stage informs you that the audience knows the lines in and out... If you screw up during this process, the peole hideously boo and shout at you... By the time I was done, I had tears in my eyes... Oh, and a bloody Ice Sword of the Monarch- an assassin attempted to kill me.

But this is deviating from the topic. An RPG allows you to take on the "persona" of an alter-ego... A big difference from being an actor... People everyday could put on a "persona" in their everyday life, not at all like the inner-self in some cases. They're not actors are they? Are they role-playing? No... it's a facade... Again, I think you're over-analyzing what a RPG is... It has nothing to do with acting... :confused:

Now, if I want to over-analyze what YOU'RE saying, then I could say that, no, you're wrong... you act all the time as an actor while playing a CRPG... The medium is just different. We're acting through a GUI and a selection of differing options, yet acting out just the same... I'm certainly acting when I refuse to give mercy to a suffering slave, I'm acting when I pick-pocket someone... etc.

[moya]

Let's not get this more complicated than it needs to be people!

Heh heh heh! (http://www.indie-rpgs.com/articles/1/) ;)

[Suicides-by-Steve]

I always think of Jagged Alliance 2 as an rpg. It's a tactical combat game, but you have a party, they have character traits and statistics, they have special skills, they gain experience, there's a storyline, you interact with NPCs, it's non-linear, there are what you could call 'quests' where you have choices.

That's because it IS an RPG... It's coined, strangely enough, as a Turn-based Tactical (or Strategic) RPG... ;) Silent Storm and Shadow Magic are in the same category.

[Aku]

Well, if you want to get really technical about it, there are no games that allow you to play as an actor right? Therefore, there really is no such thing as an RPG.

Fallout 2 lets you become an adult film star. ;)

[Deathstroke]

Welll, you guys set me straight. I guess there are such things as RPG's after all.

[no.1gamer]

But do you get to play an actor?

You get to play an actor in Final Fantasy 3 as well. You take the role in an opera and must memorize several lines. I think pretty much every RPG to follow borrowed something from FF3.