roleplaying game
Dice and characters
A roleplaying game, often abbreviated RPG, is a game in which players assume the roles of fictional characters and make decisions as those characters within a narrative framework.
The classic form involves a group gathered around a table with one person serving as game master, narrating scenarios while others respond: We played a tabletop roleplaying game every Friday night.
Video game RPGs adapted this format for solo play, emphasizing character development, stat-building, and story progression.
The term sometimes extends to any structured pretend scenario: corporate training often includes roleplaying games to practice difficult conversations.
Marked cubes for chance
- character sheetRecorded traits of persona
- gamemasterRoleplaying session director
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
miniatures · session · rulebook · manual · scenario · backstory · alignment · dungeon
Methods to achieve goals
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- skill treesProgression systems for unlocking abilities
- buildsCreates by assembling parts
initiative · action points · character creation · stats · attributes · critical hit · damage · armor class
Joint effort toward shared aim
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- partyGathering for celebration
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
group dynamics · co-op · session zero · table talk · convention · streaming · community · house rules
Digital user representation
- NPCsNon-player characters
- cutsceneNon-interactive game sequence
- dialogue treeBranching conversation structure
- graphicsVisual design elements
engine · multiplayer · modding · sandbox · save point · inventory · JRPG · MMORPG
dice
Marked cubes for chance
- character sheetRecorded traits of persona
- gamemasterRoleplaying session director
- dungeon masterTabletop RPG narrator
campaign · miniatures · session · rulebook · manual · scenario · backstory · alignment · dungeon · experience points
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- skill treesProgression systems for unlocking abilities
builds · initiative · action points · character creation · stats · attributes · critical hit · damage · armor class · buff
teamwork
Joint effort toward shared aim
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- partyGathering for celebration
- guildProfessional mutual-aid society
clan · group dynamics · co-op · session zero · table talk · convention · streaming · community · house rules · one-shot
avatar
Digital user representation
- NPCsNon-player characters
- cutsceneNon-interactive game sequence
- dialogue treeBranching conversation structure
graphics · engine · multiplayer · modding · sandbox · save point · inventory · JRPG · MMORPG · action RPG
magic
Supernatural or illusory power
dwarves · wizardry · kingdoms · orcs · goblins · necromancy · alchemy · enchantment · paladins · rangers
quest
Seeking journey for something
saga · lore · backstory · prologue · epic · legend · chronicle · worldbuilding · storytelling · character arc
roleplaying gamepuzzle game
Challenge requiring logical thinking
trivia game · game of chance · slot machine · lottery · roulette
roleplaying gamesports game
Organized athletic competition
racing game · chess · checkers · Go · sudoku
roleplaying gameboard game
Marked-surface group entertainment
card game · zero-sum game · sports · athletic competition · Monopoly
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