Do you "roleplay" in non-TTRPG Games?

[zarionofarabel]

[REDACTED]

To put it simply, I can't. I think I see RP more expansively than lots of folks seem to. While I may be able to get close to RP in a CRPG by making consistent dialog choices or quest decisions, to me, it still really isn't RP. For other things like boardgames or wargames the answer is definitely no. All those games simply lack the dynamic engagement of my imagination and the required social aspects that a TTRPG has. To me RP is far more than just getting levels or constraining decision making along certain lines. RP is a higher art form, an expression of imagination, and more than anything a conversation combined with collective story telling/creation. No other "thing" I have ever encountered in life offers the sheer depth of engagement and dynamic range of imaginative aspects that TTRPGs do. TTRPGs are in a class all their own, which makes it impossible for me to say that I actually RP when engaging in any other activities. I think a LARP might be able to do it, but I have never participated in one so I am not sure.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

I do in Clue, every time. My versatility is wretched when it comes to representing females... Worst Mrs Peacock ever!

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

I always loved the episode of The Office when they play the Murder Mystery game: "Nah, you speak like you have molasses in your mouth"

 

[stonehead]

If roleplaying is making decisions as if you were a different character, then I don't rp in board games basically at all. To me, board/card games are most fun when everyone is trying their hardest to win. Roleplaying kind of gets in the way of that. In ttrpgs, the goals are more open, and roleplaying fulfils one of those goals. The difficulty of challenges is also much lower, so there's room to make "unoptimal" decisions because you're playing a character, without getting everyone killed.

In video games, I will maybe occasionally, but not much. The closest thing I can think of is that in Fe3h, I always paired Byleth up with a teacher or faculty, because it seemed creepy for a teacher to get romantically involved with a student.

 

[jdrakeh]

I have. Notably in Car Wars (which, to be fair, has some really loose-y goose-y rules for playing a character outside of their car).

 

[TheHand]

If I’m with the right group with the right board game I definitely adopt a “character”, but it’s usually more for laughs than with any kind of serious RP in mind.

 

[Neonchameleon]

I think Polygon is 100% correct. An aggregate of D&D and Pathfinder games shows that the overwhelming majority of games are just combat events and combat discussion and combat rules. Which means that per-minute of D&D gaming time, the majority of players are engaging with its combat rules, not roleplay.

With that said, that means that Polygon is looking at D&D from the lens of combat and level up and feats and spells - all of which are combat oriented in such a way that it is a boardgame you talk over.

[Citation needed] - not that I can't believe it but where is the aggregate?

This means there is a strong correlation between Gloomhaven and D&D. They are closer together than D&D is to Vampire. And vampire is a game where roleplay is almost the only way to play. Ergo, it's not odd to 'roleplay' in Gloomhaven.

You're implying Vampire wasn't superheroes-with-fangs there.

 

[payn]

If roleplaying is making decisions as if you were a different character, then I don't rp in board games basically at all. To me, board/card games are most fun when everyone is trying their hardest to win. Roleplaying kind of gets in the way of that. In ttrpgs, the goals are more open, and roleplaying fulfils one of those goals. The difficulty of challenges is also much lower, so there's room to make "unoptimal" decisions because you're playing a character, without getting everyone killed.

In video games, I will maybe occasionally, but not much. The closest thing I can think of is that in Fe3h, I always paired Byleth up with a teacher or faculty, because it seemed creepy for a teacher to get romantically involved with a student.

You should try Diplomacy. The only way to win, is to role play!

 

[Deset Gled]

To me, board/card games are most fun when everyone is trying their hardest to win. Roleplaying kind of gets in the way of that. In ttrpgs, the goals are more open, and roleplaying fulfils one of those goals.

I would disagree with this statement in most games. Many games have plenty of room to roleplay and still try your hardest to win. In fact, it can help you realize non-traditional strategies.

Roleplay a railroad tycoon in Monopoly, forgoing rentals and focusing on railroads. Play a resource tycoon in Catan, gaming to control one resource rather that maximizing income. Have a homeland you refuse to retreat from in Risk. All are nontraditional methods with high roleplaying potential, but still completely possible to play strategically with a primary focus on winning.

Obviously, there are some highly technical games that this applies to less. Or games like tic-tac-toe, where you must follow certain algorithms to win. But I think most commonly played board games today have plenty of room for it.

 

[Neonchameleon]

You should try Diplomacy. The only way to win, is to role play!

A strange game. The only move to keep all your friends is not to play.