The Next TTRPG (nomenclature)

[GMMichael]

Things are a lot simpler if you don’t include “computer RPGs” as a type of RPG. Because they’re not. We shan’t see an actual computer RPG this side of true artificial intelligence. Ultima etc are a different sort of game.

Once upon a time, some games were called "adventure games." Then, somehow, RPGs popped up next to them. And I was confused.

That said, if 1,000 Year Old Vampire is an RPG, so is Warcraft. Really, isn't any game that encourages you to play a role called a role-playing game?

…before anyone jumps in: yes, I’m aware that this is a battle lost long ago; it’s also a pretty trivial thing and—since I’m not involved in either the computer- or roleplaying- games business these days—not something I need to especially worry or fight about. Meaning and language shifts all the time, so call them whatever works for you in your particular interactions.

So, we're probably stuck with Steam calling some games RPGs. I'm hoping to cut back on the extraneous T's.

 

[kxh]

What do you think they asked when they started playing LARPs on a tabletop? It'll always be playacting and make-believe, since the Mesopotamian kids first picked up sticks and pretended they were this heroic new king named Gilgamesh. The fact it's a VTTRPG or a SimRPG or a VRPG or whatever doesn't make it less that in and of itself.

 

[...m...]

...they already have a name: VTT + RPG = VTTRPG or VTRPG for short...

 

[aramis erak]

Things are a lot simpler if you don’t include “computer RPGs” as a type of RPG. Because they’re not. We shan’t see an actual computer RPG this side of true artificial intelligence. Ultima etc are a different sort of game.

But…

…before anyone jumps in: yes, I’m aware that this is a battle lost long ago; it’s also a pretty trivial thing and—since I’m not involved in either the computer- or roleplaying- games business these days—not something I need to especially worry or fight about. Meaning and language shifts all the time, so call them whatever works for you in your particular interactions.

I've run TTRPG sessions that mirrored the content type of ultima. I've had entire months where it was one fight into another... And not a social interaction in sight. And players happy with that. I am not, but they were.

 

[MichaelSomething]

I've run TTRPG sessions that mirrored the content type of ultima. I've had entire months where it was one fight into another... And not a social interaction in sight. And players happy with that. I am not, but they were.

Sounds like a great game. Your players played in the way that suited their desires. If only every group pursued their preferred playstyle so aggressivily.

 

[Autumnal]

Really, isn't any game that encourages you to play a role called a role-playing game?

Depending on the context, no. In the computer game world (which is much larger and has many more players), a roleplaying game is one where your character gains levels and you can assets to allocate as they do. That could be skill points, spell slots, whatever. Playing a role is not essential at all.

Amusingly enough, by that definition, Traveller is only just barely an RPG and QuestWorlds may or may not be depending on the particular series.

 

[GMMichael]

In the computer game world (which is much larger and has many more players), a roleplaying game is one where your character gains levels and you can assets to allocate as they do. That could be skill points, spell slots, whatever. Playing a role is not essential at all.

It's fair to call computer games an RPG if they resemble an RPG (even if you're not actually role-playing). But as you show, some RPGs don't even resemble other RPGs. Which makes CRPG pretty meaningless.

Indeed, a quick look at Steam suggests that "RPG" is a self-applied term that can mean just about anything. I would use it to describe, for example, a computer game that supports social interaction and character activities that go beyond killin' stuff. So WoW would be in, Baldur's Gate 3 would be out.

But really, since any computer game can get the label "RPG," it becomes meaningless, freeing real RPGs of the burden of two extra Ts.

 

[RenleyRenfield]

It could just be me... but the majority of tabletop RPGs seem to be played on computers now - not tabletops. ...

Myself personally, I don't know a single person who roleplays on a computer (like roll20). Other than I am aware people on this forum do. I also just ran many games at a local convention and out of at least 50 gamers, none of them used any VTT of any kind. Out of over 1000 there, that was the norm - in person. people even showed up as a group of their own table and did 'tabletop takeovers' where their who group was the group we ran for

everyone played at a table in person.

I know people use VTT... but I am not sure why they aren't able to get local games. here, at least, its overflowing. I could fill 5 nights a week with in person gamers...

...

back to the question = Is ttrpg we got since rpg could be videogame. to vtrpg for virtual tabletop rpg? or ... for some reason VTT seems ok?

 

[Clint_L]

Do we need a special term? Is anyone confused?

 

[aramis erak]

I know people use VTT... but I am not sure why they aren't able to get local games. here, at least, its overflowing. I could fill 5 nights a week with in person gamers...

Since Covid, finding local players got hard in Corvallis. D&D AL didn't restart.