When does a game stop being an RPG?

jibbajibba · November 09, 2009, 09:36:23 AM

Quote from: Hieronymous Rex;342739I think that a computer RPG is properly a different thing. That is to say, while a traditional RPG is "a game with a GM", a computer RPG is "a computer game that resembles a traditional RPG".

For instance, a computer game is usually called an RPG when it has classes, levels, and the like. However, these things are not required for a pen and paper RPG.

Again I think you are being too specific for a generic 'rpg' defition. You just described 2 RPG variants compute rpgs and traddition table top games. I still think there is space in a computer RPG for it to be an rpg and I think there could well be a sucessful table top variant that was GM-less.

arminius · November 09, 2009, 01:50:25 PM

Halfjack, what is your wargame experience? Chronology and rough breadth would be helpful so we can see where you're coming from.

RPGPundit · November 11, 2009, 08:17:10 AM

Quote from: David R;342687No it's not.

If you do know you could be railroading but you're still playing an RPG, not a very good one, IMO, but there you go. If you don't know, you could be telling a "story" in an improv manner, making it up as you go along.

Personally, I don't care if the so-called "story" happens before, during or after. I'm not too fond of aramis's "good play results in a story" but that's another sto...tale.

Regards,
David R

Your post was a little bit incoherent here, but the important part is that I think I get what you're saying, and its wrong.
A game where the story has already been determined before hand and the characters can do nothing to affect it is not an RPG. Its a theater production.

RPGPundit

David R · November 11, 2009, 10:16:04 AM

Quote from: RPGPundit;343066A game where the story has already been determined before hand and the characters can do nothing to affect it is not an RPG. Its a theater production.

RPGPundit

But you didn't say story, you said "set up". Knowing how a set up will turn out is a railroad but it's still an RPG. Now some games may very well be one big railroad but there are still games.

But yes, I agree with no player agency it's not an RPG. Like that chap's game, We All Had Names. (Because you may be assuming a role but you're not playing a game)

Regards,
David R

Settembrini · November 11, 2009, 11:11:09 AM

Quote from: Halfjack;342743Sorry, HR, I was more interested in your assertion that the purpose of a wargame is *not* to wind up telling a story about a battle.

AFTER the wargame, you have the story. Agreement?

Mythmere · November 11, 2009, 04:46:24 PM

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;341251A game is no longer an rpg when nobody brings any snacks.

A game stops being an RPG when someone loses an eye.

Mistwell · November 11, 2009, 05:07:23 PM

Quote from: Mythmere;343144A game stops being an RPG when someone loses an eye.

Someone ALWAYS losses an eye though!

RPGPundit · November 12, 2009, 07:30:44 AM

Quote from: Mistwell;343146Someone ALWAYS losses an eye though!

That's what I always guarantee my gaming groups each session.

RPGpundit

Grimjack · November 12, 2009, 02:06:23 PM

Quote from: Mistwell;343146Someone ALWAYS losses an eye though!

You must be playing Arduin.