role-playing games
Collaborative storytelling systems
Role-playing games are games where players assume the identities of fictional characters and make decisions as those characters within a shared narrative.
The classic form involves a game master who describes situations while players respond: We've been playing Dungeons & Dragons every Saturday.
Video game RPGs adapted the genre, emphasizing character progression and story.
Often abbreviated RPG.
Marked cubes for chance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
- tabletopHorizontal furniture surface
- miniaturesTiny representations of larger things
leveling · hitpoints · loot · classes · alignment · turn-based · character sheets · saving throws
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
mythos · arc · climax · twist · foreshadowing · subplot · denouement · epilogue
Joint effort toward shared aim
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- partyGathering for celebration
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
raid · alliance · camaraderie · fellowship · squad · crew · co-op · session
Digital user representation
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- heroOne admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
mage · warrior · rogue · paladin · ranger · cleric · bard · druid
Supernatural or illusory power
- elvesMythical small beings
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- dwarvesMythical small beings
- orcsSavage fantasy humanoids
goblins · trolls · sorcery · wizardry · kingdoms · mythology · alchemy · necromancy
Habitual mental retreat
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- absorptionProcess of taking in
flow · realism · simulation · empathy · roleplay · character voice · in-character · suspension of disbelief
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- buildsCreates by assembling parts
- min-maxingOptimizing character builds strategically
synergy · resource management · combat · encounters · skill trees · cooldowns · boss fights · grinding
dice
Marked cubes for chance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
- tabletopHorizontal furniture surface
miniatures · leveling · hitpoints · loot · classes · alignment · turn-based · character sheets · saving throws · initiative
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
lore · mythos · arc · climax · twist · foreshadowing · subplot · denouement · epilogue · branching paths
teamwork
Joint effort toward shared aim
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- partyGathering for celebration
guild · raid · alliance · camaraderie · fellowship · squad · crew · co-op · session · game master
avatar
Digital user representation
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- heroOne admired for courage
villain · mage · warrior · rogue · paladin · ranger · cleric · bard · druid · sorcerer
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
orcs · goblins · trolls · sorcery · wizardry · kingdoms · mythology · alchemy · necromancy · summoning
escapism
Habitual mental retreat
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
absorption · flow · realism · simulation · empathy · roleplay · character voice · in-character · suspension of disbelief · agency
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- buildsCreates by assembling parts
min-maxing · synergy · resource management · combat · encounters · skill trees · cooldowns · boss fights · grinding · loadout
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- tabletop gamesboard game, card game, backgammon, dice game, party game
- tabletop RPGsD&D, sourcebook, dungeon master, game master, DM
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- gamesboard game, card game, chess, video game, arcade game
- video gamesgameplay, Fortnite, mobile game, arcade, consoles
role-playing gamestrivia games
Contests testing miscellaneous knowledge
card games · word games · board games · sports · athletic competitions
role-playing gamescompetitive sports
Organized physical contests
athletic competitions · gambling · spectator sports · watching movies
role-playing gamesathletic games
Organized physical competitions
outdoor games · playground games · tag · hide and seek · capture the flag
player, playful, games, playing, played, gaming, players, playfulness, playhouse