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RPG : The Breakdown

Started by David R, December 15, 2006, 08:22:09 PM

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David R

December 15, 2006, 08:22:09 PM
Okay lots of talk about what is and isn't a rpg. Just for fun let's try to breakdown rpgs into some bite sized pieces. We could talk about the kind of elements that constitute a rpg . We could talk about certain concepts associated with rpgs. Whatever.

Now IMO, all rpgs contain these elements or deal with this subject matter:

Story : It could happen during, after or be the sole purpose of a rpg.

Conflict Resolution : At it's core most if not all rpgs is about conflict and so, there are rules to deal with them.

Player Autonomy & GM Authority - Probably the main theme running through most rpg discussions. Most times it's what separates trad from indie games.

Just a couple of observations. Thoughts ?

Regards,
David R

Blackleaf

#1
December 15, 2006, 08:26:45 PM
...

James J Skach

#2
December 15, 2006, 08:36:35 PM
Quote from: StuartBreak it down (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh)
If that "song" ends up in my head tomorrow...I'm going to have to stalk you and kill you.
The rules are my slave, not my master. - Old Geezer

The RPG Haven - Talking About RPGs

David R

#3
December 15, 2006, 09:00:03 PM
Edit: Misunderstanding

Regards,
David R

Blackleaf

#4
December 15, 2006, 09:15:16 PM
...

David R

#5
December 15, 2006, 09:17:50 PM
Stuart those pictures were not work safe (not to mention pretty disgusting). Please don't do it anymore.

Regards (Edit: No reason, not to be polite)
David R

Blackleaf

#6
December 15, 2006, 09:23:05 PM
QuoteStuart those pictures were not work safe (not to mention pretty disgusting). Please don't do it anymore.

I linked to an image of MC Hammer dancing back and forth.  This one: http://gifdump.com/tag/M.C.%20Hammer/id/980/

They must have an anti-leeching script in place that serves up a different image if you're not looking at the image on that site, or loading it from your cache.

I have no idea what you saw... but I'm guessing it wasn't Hammer.

Sorry about that.

Edit:  Seriously.  I feel bad if anyone saw something awful. :(

Casey777

#7
December 15, 2006, 09:39:47 PM
(image removed since the original reason no only exists; thanks for the clarification!)
It wasn't goatse...but it was close enough. Imageshock, photobucket, whatever, are all free and help prevent this sort of thing.

The Yann Waters

#8
December 15, 2006, 09:42:26 PM
Quote from: StuartI have no idea what you saw... but I'm guessing it wasn't Hammer.
It was some image from rotten.com which looked like a man with his face smashed in.
Previously known by the name of "GrimGent".

Blackleaf

#9
December 15, 2006, 09:44:42 PM
Let's get this back on track...

QuoteNow IMO, all rpgs contain these elements or deal with this subject matter:

Story : It could happen during, after or be the sole purpose of a rpg.

Conflict Resolution : At it's core most if not all rpgs is about conflict and so, there are rules to deal with them.

Player Autonomy & GM Authority - Probably the main theme running through most rpg discussions. Most times it's what separates trad from indie games.

Just a couple of observations. Thoughts ?

I think you need to consider:

1) Describing the fictional world
2) Talking "in character" for character(s) in the fictional world
3) Narrating the actions of character(s) in the fictional world
4) Narrating the effects of character actions
5) Narrating events that happen in the fictional world

In a traditional RPG, you have the the GM doing #1, #2 and #3 for NPCs, #4, and #5.  Players only do #2 and #3 for their own character.

In non-traditional RPGs, you have all the players involved in #1-#5 to varying degrees.

David R

#10
December 16, 2006, 02:46:05 AM
Quote from: StuartLet's get this back on track...



I think you need to consider:

1) Describing the fictional world
2) Talking "in character" for character(s) in the fictional world
3) Narrating the actions of character(s) in the fictional world
4) Narrating the effects of character actions
5) Narrating events that happen in the fictional world

In a traditional RPG, you have the the GM doing #1, #2 and #3 for NPCs, #4, and #5.  Players only do #2 and #3 for their own character.

In non-traditional RPGs, you have all the players involved in #1-#5 to varying degrees.

Good points. But I do think that when it comes to playstyles  who does#1 - #5 depends on the group and not really the rpg - most times.


Regards,
David R

James J Skach

#11
December 16, 2006, 06:41:45 PM
Quote from: David RGood points. But I do think that when it comes to playstyles  who does#1 - #5 depends on the group and not really the rpg - most times.


Regards,
David R
Wow.  You mean that you have "traditional" RPG's where the GM speaks for the players' characters (#2)?
The rules are my slave, not my master. - Old Geezer

The RPG Haven - Talking About RPGs

David R

#12
December 16, 2006, 06:56:10 PM
Quote from: James J SkachWow.  You mean that you have "traditional" RPG's where the GM speaks for the players' characters (#2)?

Good point :D My mistake.

Regards,
David R

Yamo

#13
December 16, 2006, 07:47:52 PM
As I've said in another thread, this is my effort to distill the core defining characteristics of an RPG.

I believe that an RPG must have all of the following:

1. A traditional player/GM relationship.
2. No set story or plot.
3. No "live action" (LARP) aspect.

Discuss?
In order to qualify as a roleplaying game, a game design must feature:

1. A traditional player/GM relationship.
2. No set story or plot.
3. No live action aspect.
4. No win conditions.

Don't like it? Too bad.

Click here to visit the Intenet's only dedicated forum for Fudge and Fate fans!

David R

#14
December 16, 2006, 07:57:42 PM
Quote from: YamoI believe that an RPG must have all of the following:

1. A traditional player/GM relationship.

Okay what exactly do you mean by traditional? Because I've encountered a hell of a lot of gamers who say they have a trad dynamic but it seems anything but to me.

When I say trad, I kinda of mean the players control their characters and the GM everything else. But, I don't think an RPG must have this dynamic to be an rpg.

Quote2. No set story or plot.

Okay, but what about a GM's basic plot/story outline?

And if railoroading goes on, the participants are not playing an rpg?

Of course I may be reading you wrong...

Regards,
David R
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