Are CRPGs really role-playing games?

[Nate Jones]

Yeah, story vs. rules is a fun debate, but probably not very pertinent to the poll directly.

Hmm... if a video game conveniently ignored the rules randomly, though, would that be one step closer to the DM Turning Test being passed? "Rocks fall, you die" on the XBox?

Did you ever play that stupid "Paths of the Dead" level on EA's Return of the King, because by your definition, that would definitely qualify as an RPG.

 

[I'm A Banana]

For the record:

There is a difference.

It doesn't matter.

(Unless you have an absurdly large investment in what makes a "true" RPG or a "false" RPG.)

 

[davidschwartznz]

When needed, I am happy as a referee to adjudicate things not covered by the rules.

And that is the single thing that separates an RPG from a "conventional" game. A computer game can't make stuff up as it goes along.

 

[Doug McCrae]

And that is the single thing that separates an RPG from a "conventional" game. A computer game can't make stuff up as it goes along.

But its programmer can.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Killing monsters and taking there stuff may be at the heart of many RPGs, but it isn't actually role-playing. You cannot take on a persona and advance without combat, in a true RPG, it is possible (though usually not part of a long lasting campaign.)

 

[RigaMortus2]

I don't think there is any clear cut definition of what a Roleplaying game is, especially for computers or consoles. I always figured if it had some leveling system or way to make your character more powerful as you progressed, that means it is an RPG.

If you want to be literal about it, any game where you play the role of a character would technically be considered a roleplaying game. Which is about 95% of the games out there, Super Mario Bros, Zelda, Halo, heck even Pac-man... Tetris on the other hand, not so much...

 

[davidschwartznz]

But its programmer can.

Not while I'm playing.

 

[ThirdWizard]

And that is the single thing that separates an RPG from a "conventional" game. A computer game can't make stuff up as it goes along.

This is what I really don't understand. Why is ability to make up stuff on the fly a defining feature of RPGs? Can you give a factual reason for this to be true? Something based on logic, why this has to be in the definition of RPG?

 

[Raven Crowking]

This is what I really don't understand. Why is ability to make up stuff on the fly a defining feature of RPGs? Can you give a factual reason for this to be true? Something based on logic, why this has to be in the definition of RPG?

In order to play a role, and not merely simulate playing a role, you have to be able to make the decisions that you believe that role would make. If the system prevents you from doing so, it prevents you from playing that role. As it is impossible to preimagine all possible decisions the role-player might make to role-play, it is impossible to preordain all responses to those decisions. If, however, you can respond to those decisions as they are made, then you are able to allow the role-player to actually role-play.

We may some day have a computer program that is self-teaching, allowing it to do exactly what a human being does in this regard. Indeed, we may one day have a computer program so good at this that, ultimately, folks such as I will be convinced that you cannot actually role-play without the computer. We do not have it yet.


RC

 

[Faraer]

As used within computer gaming, 'CRPG' means a character-developing/stuff-acquiring game, with roleplaying incidental. But I certainly roleplayed, or at least role-assumed, when I played games like the Ultima series. Rather than play with definitions and identities ('are CRPGs roleplaying games?'), I'd ask: Do they facilitate roleplaying? Do they facilitate roleplaying as well as they could? Do people roleplay in them? Do you?