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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DrunkonDuty" data-source="post: 8454457" data-attributes="member: 54364">So to the original question: what are qualities of an RPG.The way I see it there are two main operatives in the term RPG. Role and Play. Game is redundant, play implies a game (and vice versa.) This leads me to the following definition:One or more players take on a role and play with it in a fictional setting. (I think a fictional setting is inherent to the nature of play.)To this you can add, well, almost anything:Playing pieces.Playing boards for those pieces.Stats. Which is to say mathematical models that model aspects of the play space that can be used to interact with other models within the play space.Rules that govern the types of interactions available within the play space and how those interactions are carried out. Rules that define the diegetic limits of the play space. By which I mean game worlds and the "physics" by which they operate.Rewards systems.Randomisers. Dice, coins, random number generators, the I-Ching. Used to add or heighten already existing dramatic tension.A defined end to the play. Win/Loss states. The end of a series of events/scenes/tactical decisions/story elements. Adjudicators. A player in a position of official opposition. By which I mean the traditional GM. Someone who's role is to provide drama. This position can be given to different players at different times. This position is granted by some non-diegetic consideration, eg. the rules.Players taking oppositional roles (on a temporary basis?) as suggested by diegetic concerns. Can range from the very simple "You killed me with a fireball. My next character is going to kill you!" to designing characters with the intent that they shall provide one another with dramatic tension.Art.Costumes.Beyond things that can define the actual play we can get into things like fandoms and such forth. The social aspects of it. But that's probably getting off base.Aside: I also think that aspects of playing a role can be (easily) imported into other games. In post #14 Endroren mentions playing traditional board and war games from within assumed roles. I've done the same with Diplomacy and Empires in Arms.</blockquote>

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