RPG Mediums

[jdrakeh]

What different broad mediums can you think of in which RPGs are played? I can only think of two (Electronic and Not), that can be brokwn down into futher classifications (TRPG, LARP, CRPG, ERPG, etc) based on how rules are applied during actual play. So, help me out - am I missing anything?

 

[Mark CMG]

Could you rework the question. I am not sure I understand.

 

[Ranger REG]

What the hell is TRPG?

 

[trancejeremy]

T = Tabletop.

 

[trancejeremy]

Ages ago on usenet, I saw some posts about gaming via an altered state of conciousness. Somewhere between sleep and awakeness. Sort of like lucid dreaming, but awake.

 

[Glyfair]

What different broad mediums can you think of in which RPGs are played? I can only think of two (Electronic and Not), that can be brokwn down into futher classifications (TRPG, LARP, CRPG, ERPG, etc) based on how rules are applied during actual play. So, help me out - am I missing anything?

I'd say it likely could be broken down into 4 methods, although there is a bit of overlap that can happen.

Tabletop - the classic
Live Action - Moving towards "improvisational acting" with rules
Remote - table top, but over a medium (usually forums, email or chat)
Computer - Roleplaying using a computer (this could be broken into non-interactive like Final Fantasy and interactive like Ultima Online, Everquest and the like). The first one would be the most controversial.

 

[Ranger REG]

T = Tabletop.

Yeahhh, I'll stick with PnP.

 

[jdrakeh]

I'd say it likely could be broken down into 4 methods, although there is a bit of overlap that can happen.

Tabletop - the classic
Live Action - Moving towards "improvisational acting" with rules
Remote - table top, but over a medium (usually forums, email or chat)
Computer - Roleplaying using a computer (this could be broken into non-interactive like Final Fantasy and interactive like Ultima Online, Everquest and the like). The first one would be the most controversial.

Methods are a subject for a different thread - right now I'm solely concerned with mediums

[Edit: Note also that the above list omits PBM games, many of which still run on a regualr basis.]

 

[jdrakeh]

Ages ago on usenet, I saw some posts about gaming via an altered state of conciousness. Somewhere between sleep and awakeness. Sort of like lucid dreaming, but awake.

Yeah... The Everlasting briefly talks about something like this, but for the most part, its absolute bunk merely added to pad out the book (well, from what I can tell, anyhow).

 

[jdrakeh]

Could you rework the question. I am not sure I understand.

I'm really not sure how to re-word it, as the question has already been boiled down to its most simple form. If you're wondering what I mean by 'mediums' - I'm referring to the specific means of expression used during actual play (e.g., Tabletop, LARP, Email, Telephone, Console, IRC, Forum Post, etc).

[Edit: Some of this is invalidated by my next post and rightfully so, I think. The later post is more on target - for example, the medium would be 'spoken word' not 'telephone' - the former is a medium, while the latter is a method of conveyance (e.g., voice).]