How do you explain RPGs to others?

[DreadPirateMurphy]

Given that there is a perception problem about RPGs, how do you explain to non-gamers what it is you do?

I've described it recently to somebody as a mixture of interactive storytelling and wargaming. A group gets together. One runs the game, while the others create characters to interact in the story. The characters are usually a mix of player preference and randomly determined characteristics. The person running the game is responsible for creating the story setting and inventing challenges for the players. Dice are used to simulate random story elements. The wargaming element enters into the picture if and when combat occurs, though the fequency of that element varies from game to game. The goal of the game is not to win, per se, but to have fun in the creation of the story.

That description seemed to be satisfactory, in that it was no longer some big, weird, complicated black hole of activity.

Of course, I also make it clear that there is nothing satanic about it, if necessary.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

interactive story telling with stats to define the characters and dice to adjucate uncertain outcomes. then I'll describe a very simple rpg with something they are interested in.

 

[Ambrus]

I'm finding that there is less and less stigma attached to RPGs; most people simply don't know enough about it to be biased against it. The height of the anti-D&D bashing was almost twenty years ago after all. Amongst people of my generation or younger I find the best way to explain it is to simply describe it as a boardgame version of Everquest or World of Warcraft or whatever MMOFRPG is in vogue at the moment. Computer fantasy RPGs are so widespread and accepted in the mainstream that it's the easiest thing for people to identify it with. It's true that it's not really a conventional boardgame but it does efficiently convey the idea of people sitting around a table playing a friendly game, which is what a RPG essentially is. I think most people would draw a blank if I'd try equating it with wargaming, with which most people aren't commonly familiar. If an older person isn't familiar with online RPGs than I'd probably describe it as a boardgame version of Lord of the Rings. That's also a fair, although simple, image to convey to someone quickly and succinctly. Most people I believe can put those two elements together and come up with a fair image in their mind of what D&D might be like.

Going into more detail than the absolute minimum is generally unnecessary and undesired for those people who simply ask about RPGs out of mild curiosity.

 

[lukelightning]

"It's like fantasy football but you get to kill your opponent."

 

[Ambrus]

"It's like fantasy football but you get to kill your opponent."

Now you see, I have to ask; what is fantasy football? I've heard the term on occasion but have no idea what it is. It sounds like Bloodbowl to me.

 

[Tarangil]

I usually have two ways of explaining an D&D to someone who is clueless.

Option 1 Older people tend to remember the stigma D&D went through, so as soon as they hear it their warning flags are up.. For these people I first ask if they read books...they usually do, so then it's just a matter of explaining that it is essentially the same thing, but instead of reading about the characters in the books, the players are the characters, and help the story unfold.

Option 2 For the younger generation I usually have to explain it in terms like a Video Game, comparing it to final fantasy, warcraft, Diablo, etc...they usually get the picture then. I also try to explain Option 1 afterwards, but unfortunately only a small demographic of young kids read for fun... If they do they usually play RPG's anyways

 

[The_Universe]

What I typically say:

It's like playing cops and robbers, or cowboys and indians, or even house. It's just playing pretend, for (mostly) grown ups. The only real difference is that in this game, when I say "bang, your dead!" there's a mechanism in place to determine if, indeed, that is the case, rather than you responding with "you missed me!" and me saying "nuh uh!" and you saying "uh huh!" etc.

In the game I play, those minor conflicts in the thing we're all trying to imagine together are resolved with dice rolls. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but we use dice, anyway. Because we're adults, the game tends to sometimes be a little more dramatic than "cowboys and indians" or "house" or whatever, and it tends to have a more developed strategic element, as well. But, when it comes down to it, it's just something to do when you get together with your friends. I enjoy it."

 

[adwyn]

Last spring I witnessed a good way to explain it by a local gamestore owner. When a reporter asked over the phone the proverbial "What are RPG's?" the game store owner responded with;

"It's hard to explain, but hypothetically, what would you do if you walked into a room full of grizzlies?"
"Ok, but what if they were aggressive?"
"So let's assume you were armed, what would you do then? Uh huh, but if you only manage to shoot one then what?"

He went on in this vein for a couple of minutes, adding various details to the room and situation and placing character restrictions in the form of a limp, being a cop, etc. Then he told the reporter that that was pretty much RPG's were. When the article came out it didn't have a good definition but the reporter seemed to have a better idea of what was going on.

 

[Zzyzx]

To younger audience: It is like playing a character in a video game, only you describe the character on paper and then one of your friends tells the story instead of watching it on the screen.

To slightly older audience: You ever read any "choose your own adventure" books, where at the end of a page you are presented a choice and turn to the page indicated to find out the consequences?

To older audiences: Interactive storytelling, with rules for structure and dice to keep it interesting.

 

[maggot]

I don't often bother explaining role-playing to others. Generally it is just a simple explanation like "a game I play every week with some friends". That is about all most people want to know.