What constitutes as a RPG?

[brokenergy]

Before we start this debate let's note that:

 

No flaming or insults what's so ever or I'll call the mods to shut this down and to have a "nice talk" with the parties involved.

 

RPG's have been a stable in PC gaming for a long time and probably what defines PC gaming but with the recent who-ha with RPG gaming and RPG's in general, people are starting to give a formal definition to this genre. So my question to start this debate is simple; what constitutes as a RPG? Does a RPG really need inventory that you can micromanage, auto-level up options, dialogue with NPC, silent protagonist or a person per-made with a weapon in hand? Does playing HL make it more of an RPG than playing ME? So what are your thought?

 

Edit: I'll rephrase the question, seem like my actual question didn't really stand out. What gaming elements does a game require to be labeled as a RPG?

[Thor.]

What constitutes a rpg is a career mode like in many games, for instants if GT5 is going to have money and buying of things then it constitutes a rpg, because there is real world elements to it.

 

they called that one RRPG lol :thumbsup: .

 

gt4 was like that.

[evilneko]

With enough imagination, one can turn almost any game into an RPG.

 

Debate over. :teehee:

[Pyrosocial]

With enough imagination, one can turn almost any game into an RPG.

 

Debate over. :teehee:

 

 

Well said Neko, your absolutely right. even RTS, and FPS can be considered this. many of my warcraft maps are RPG based, and even the Java game, Minecraft can qualify.

 

 

[Salamander8]

Essentially what evilneko said. Heck, my friends and I even roleplay when playing games like Hearts of Iron 3 or Europa Universallis 3. You basically play a role in any game you play when it comes down to it.

[evilneko]

Flippant answers aside, what I think the OP probably actually meant was something along the lines of "What elements should a game have to be labeled an RPG?"

 

Now that is something that can be debated.

 

....And that's something I'll get into at a later time. Dinner time now. Have fun. ;)

 

Oh, and @ Salamander8: Don't forget to *enjoy the sauce!*

[Salamander8]

Hello friend Hunam! (Fwiffo and the other Spathis never did get that right) ;D

 

True. I think one reason that a lot of MMOs are not called MMORPGs as frequently as they used to be is that they focus more on grinding levels and getting gear than actual role-playing, not that some people still don't at least try. When I was back on the Shadow Council server on WoW, there was some RPing but when I transferred to Bloodhoof to join a friend's guild, the RPing dried up. Now that things are different, I'd go back to Shadow Council if I was going to play it again. The Virtue server on City of Heroes/Villains has some Rping going as well, but these are exceptions rather than rules. I think the original definition has changed somewhat. Witness how newer versions of D&D are derived from computer RPGs/MMOs rather than the other way around like it used to be.

[DarkNinja13]

Wow. This is a good one.

Keep in mind that the answers are all subjective and based upon the games that one has played. That being said, when I hear or say "RPG Video Game" I close my eyes and instantly have flashbacks to the original "Final Fantasy" game on the old NES. However, when I simply say "RPG" I have flashbacks to my old "Dungeons & Dragons" days - which was a TRUE rpg no matter what anyone says.

 

At the core, to me anyway, an RPG Video game has the following features:

 

1) Levelling Up -The more you defeat enemies and/or complete quests the more XP you get. When get enough XP, you go up in level. The more you level up, the stronger you get until you become truly "Heroic".

 

2) Story - YOU control either a great hero or an ordinary person about to become one. In the case of "sandbox" type games you have the option of becoming a great villain as well as becoming the hero.

 

3) Quests -Can also be called "Missions" (depending on the type of game). Since you need things to do to become this great hero or villain this is the easiest way to do so. You go do great or terrible things and people start talking about you (fame/infamy)

 

4) Backstory - Where is your character from? Do s/he have family? Why did you decide to become an adventurer? Was it fame and fortune, revenge, boredom - what? Are you good, are you Evil? WHY? This is essential to RPGs - it is role-playing, after all.

[JimboUK]

I dare say it differs from one person to the next, for me......

 

You get stronger as you gain experience, enemies that were once a challenge can be swatted away like a fly later if you put the effort in.

 

A story that reacts in some way to your deeds, it doesn't have to change the whole world but you should feel like your having some kind of impact.

 

You should have choices when it comes to how you complete quests, even better if those choices have consequences.

 

You should be able to create different character classes and those classes should be viable if done right.

 

Everything should be about your characters skill, not the players. The player skill is in creating something that works, not compensating for something that doesn't by being good at shooters or (god forbid) mini games. >:(

 

As DarkNinja13 says a back story of some kind, either one you create or one you pick from a list. Note to JRPG makers: Amnesia is not a back story nor it is an excuse to deny the player the chance to pick their own.

[Retribution]

Role

 

Playing

 

Game

 

 

Not inventory manager stat min-maxer.