What are Role-Playing Games?

Role-Playing Games

ˈrəʊl pleɪɪŋ ɡeɪm
(abbreviation RPG)

Players assume the roles of characters in fictional settings. There are several forms of RPG: live action role-playing games (LARP), play-by-post role-playing games (PRPGs), video role-playing games (VRPGs), and tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs).

Live Action Role-Play

(abbreviation LARP)

Involves participants physically acting out their characters in real-life fantasy simulations.

Play-by-Post Role-Playing Games

(abbreviation PRPG)

PRPGs are unique as participants role-play characters through digital textual means, generally through email, online chats, or forums.

Video Role-Playing Games

(abbreviation VRPG)

VRPGs are extremely common and involve the exploration of virtual worlds and can be played solo on a video game console or computer, or with millions of other players through massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).

Examples:
Oblivion and Skyrim. In addition, World of Warcraft is one of the most prominent MMORPGs on the market.

Tabletop Role-Playing Games

(abbreviation TRPGs)

Also called "pen-and-paper RPGs", TRPGs are social games where players assume the roles of characters in fictional settings, usually fantasy or science fiction. These games are played with a small group of players who work collaboratively to overcome obstacles and resolve conflict using a formal system of rules and guidelines.

Popular Examples:
Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder.

The Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) fulfills the role of the narrator of the story and adjudicates the rules. Players narrate their characters' actions and work together with the GM to craft an ongoing narrative that continually shifts and evolves based on the players' actions.