role playing game
Pretend to be
A role playing game is a game where participants assume the roles of fictional characters, making decisions and taking actions as those characters would.
Tabletop versions like Dungeons & Dragons use dice, rulebooks, and a game master who narrates the story.
Video game RPGs emphasize character development, quests, and statistical progression: I spent the weekend grinding my character in that new RPG.
Often abbreviated RPG.
Making flat or equal
- experience pointsAccumulated progress toward advancement
- hit pointsGaming health metric
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
- skill treeBranching ability unlock structure
turn-based · combat system · character sheet · dice roll · saving throw · armor class · initiative · critical hit
Multiplayer internet adventure game
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- serverOne who attends tables
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
raid · instance · PvP · co-op · grinding · emote · chat · modding
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
campaign · scenario · saga · prologue · climax · arc · foreshadowing · resolution
Roleplaying session director
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
- diceMarked cubes for chance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- tabletopHorizontal furniture surface
miniatures · rulebook · character sheet · d20 · polyhedral · module · session · homebrew
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- buildsCreates by assembling parts
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
positioning · synergy · min-maxing · loadout · encounter · difficulty · permadeath · grinding
Digital user representation
- protagonistStory's central figure
- heroOne admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
- magePractitioner of sorcery
warrior · rogue · paladin · cleric · bard · druid · ranger · sorcerer
Supernatural or illusory power
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
enchantment · spellcasting · kingdoms · quests · dungeons · mythical creatures · elves · dwarves
leveling
Making flat or equal
- experience pointsAccumulated progress toward advancement
- hit pointsGaming health metric
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
skill tree · turn-based · combat system · character sheet · dice roll · saving throw · armor class · initiative · critical hit · cooldown
MMORPG
Multiplayer internet adventure game
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- serverOne who attends tables
guild · raid · instance · PvP · co-op · grinding · emote · chat · modding · sandbox
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
world-building · campaign · scenario · saga · prologue · climax · arc · foreshadowing · resolution · twist
gamemaster
Roleplaying session director
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
- diceMarked cubes for chance
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
tabletop · miniatures · rulebook · character sheet · d20 · polyhedral · module · session · homebrew · pen-and-paper
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- buildsCreates by assembling parts
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
resource management · positioning · synergy · min-maxing · loadout · encounter · difficulty · permadeath · grinding · endgame
avatar
Digital user representation
- protagonistStory's central figure
- heroOne admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
mage · warrior · rogue · paladin · cleric · bard · druid · ranger · sorcerer · necromancer
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
alchemy · enchantment · spellcasting · kingdoms · quests · dungeons · mythical creatures · elves · dwarves · trolls
role playing gamepuzzle game
Challenge requiring logical thinking
trivia game · sports simulation · rhythm game · racing game · matching game
role playing gameboard game
Marked-surface group entertainment
card game · dice game · tile game · outdoor game · playground game
role, play, game, roles, plays, games, played, playing, player