Towards a Workable RPG Theory

[mythusmage]

Your definition excludes both players (which would still make it insufficient) and player characters (which IMO would complete it). Interestingly, your example does not.

By your definition Monopoly is a roleplaying game.

What made you think that was my definition? I listed the two parts of an RPG, system and setting.

Or maybe I want people to think about what RPGs are at their core. To sit down and cogitate instead of reacting.

 

[mythusmage]

... table full of pure, unadulterated roleplayers (if such a thing exists) would get as much satisfaction from the pure joy of living this other life ...

And where are these other lives lived?

 

[mythusmage]

Sir, We are getting a head of you. You are behind us. Please recall where you are - you start the thread, but you don't moderate or control it that closely (at least, not if you don't tell us where you were hoping to go,a dn how you wanted to go about it). If you can't keep up, that's not our problem

Down the wrong path.

Alan (not a forum moderator) Kellogg

 

[mythusmage]

I would suggest that "world" might be too closely associated with "continuity" and might not be the best word choice.

I'm not using 'world' in that sense. Besides, I've always looked at 'continuity' as indicating a consistency in plotline and background. Such as, say, family relationships staying constant from episode to episode of a tv show. That is, a cousin in one episode not turning into a cousin in a later.

 

[mythusmage]

What is a roleplaying game? Answer here

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

So couldn't you have saved a bunch of time and posting and just linked to that to begin with?

What's with the guessing game?

 

[mythusmage]

Because usually (unless dealing with the obstuse ) it's better if people found out for themselves, instead of being told.

Then you have gamers.

Let me put it this way. Do you really need to be told everything? You can't figure it out for yourselves?

 

[jdrakeh]

What is a roleplaying game? Answer here

I think that I like my answer better (see the Straight Dope link in my .sig), but I'm biased

 

[mythusmage]

I think that I like my answer better (see the Straight Dope link in my .sig), but I'm biased

Does it get down to the basics? Have you considered it as a consequence of my description?

BTW, you take too long to get to the point. Show us the monkey!

(You'll have to excuse me, jdrakeh. There's nothing more frustrating than felony dumb.)

 

[jdrakeh]

Does it get down to the basics?

Yep. The very basics - it defines the term 'game' and then defines RPG as a subset of game characterized by certain properties (similar to those that you mention, but not the same).

Have you considered it as a consequence of my description?

Nope. I actually worked it up this afternoon before I read your answer