What is an RPG? (was Re: New mailing list)

From: "Rob Harper" <stateofmind@breathemail.net>

Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Roy wrote...
> Because a lot of people think that all games are rpg games - A shame I
> know - I can (just) see how games like Dungeon can be called RPGs, but I
> think peoples argument of '.. you play the role of a general..' in a
Wargame
> etc wears a little thin. I've always wondered why people running what to
all
> intents is a Wargame have to somehow hijack the term 'RPG'. It can't be
> because an RPG is funkier and hence more attractive - If that were the
case
> then why are RPGs a dying breed?

Or perhaps you mean RPGs in the sense of "single character, hand
moderated games where story is more important than rules"?  In other
 words, the sort of game that over the last 10 years has come to be
known as "interactive fiction".

I'd like to suggest that IF games are not the only postal RPGs.  The
likes of Dungeon, Quest and Legends are also RPGs in their own ways.
I don't think they have hijacked the term at all, as they are closer
to the original form of tabletop roleplaying games (like D&D) than
IF games.  You play the role of one or more characters (not
necessarily that of a general), ergo they are roleplaying games of a
sort.

The problem is that the term RPG is a very imprecise one, as it
covers a lot of ground.  In a similar way, the catch-all term
"wargame" covers tactical, grand-tactical, operations-level, and
strategic games, all with very different styles of play.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this...?
--
Luv&hugs, Rob.
State of Mind Games (Play-By-Mail & other Pointless Exercises)
http://www.homestead.com/stateofmind

References

New mailing list
chaz12@ukonline.co.uk (Charles Oliver)
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: New mailing list
"Tim Lomas" <tim@antsnest.demon.co.uk>
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: New mailing list
"Roy" <plod@NOSPAMproweb.co.uk>
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

New mailing list
chaz12@ukonline.co.uk (Charles Oliver)
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: New mailing list
"Tim Lomas" <tim@antsnest.demon.co.uk>
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: New mailing list
"Roy" <plod@NOSPAMproweb.co.uk>
Sun, 07 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000