What Are Roleplaying Games?

Roleplaying Games (RPGs) have been around since the 1970s and unfortunately gets more attention from the negative images painted by media reporting than for the hobby's positive aspects. Much ink has been spilt (and many trees sacrificed for pulp) by so-called 'objective' reporters trying to smear the hobby with emotional allegations of demon/devil worship, teen suicide, teen violence, and a host of other social problems. So far, nobody has accused these games of being responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer or the extinction of the Siberian tiger but don't be surprised. In an attempt to de-mystify what the hobby is all about to parents, teachers and new enthusiasts, I have tried to explain what roleplaying games are all about in simple, layman terms. Read, talk to some regular gamers, then make up your own mind.

Have fun
Andrew L
Mar 2000

Roleplaying FAQ

• What Are Roleplaying Games?
  Roleplaying games or RPGs are essentially games of make-believe like our childhood games of cops and robbers albeit with a bit more complicated rules. One game designer has called it 'interactive fiction', much like reading a novel but with the added feature where the readers can actively take part and their actions define the way the story unfolds.
  
  There are two sides to the game: the players who take on roles (usually called 'player characters') in this fictional world, and the referee (usually called the 'Gamemaster') who plays all the other inhabitants of that world and presents challenging situations for the players to resolve. To resolve these situations, the players in their roles, will use their wit, ingenuity and skills. In effect, the roleplaying group is collectively telling a story - just that they decide on-the-fly, what happens next.
  
  To provide an organized method to determine just how successful the players' solutions are, a set of rules are applied. These rule sets (usually called Game Systems) are usually based on using dice to add an element of chance. The players 'win' the game by successfully negotiating all the challenges and puzzles presented by the referee. But for most players, the real fun comes from the interaction with their friends and the typical friendly ribbing and bantering that accompanies each game session.
  
  One of the oldest and most popular rule sets is Dungeons & Dragons. In this fantasy setting, the players take on typical 'fantasy' roles like Wizards, Warriors or Clerics. Each role has a set of abilities that describe exactly what the role is capable of. Wizards have spells, Warriors are handy at hitting things, and Clerics have healing magic. By combining their different abilities, the players learn to work as a team to solve any conceivable problem posed by the referee.
  
  
• Who Plays Roleplaying Games?
  The traditional stereotype of a rolegamer is a teenage misfit with problems fitting into the rest of society. While this unflattering image will probably always be associated with the hobby, statistics and feedback received by game companies indicate that gamers come from all walks of society and from all ages: from children barely in their teens to grandparents, although the majority are young adults of 18 - 25. My own gaming group has over the years included an airline pilot, computer programmers, accountants, an interior designer and a doctor. The youngest ever member of the group was 12, and the oldest, 45.
  
  
• What Do Gamers Get Out Of It?
  From personal experience with gamers, I have found that most people play these games for the fun generated rather than any thrill of 'winning'. A typical game session is pretty much like a social event: the chance to talk, laugh, and discuss ideas with like-minded individuals.
  
  Roleplaying games do have several other positive aspects. They encourage teamwork, interaction, and cooperation to achieve mutually beneficial goals. They also inspire creativity and teach the players problem solving skills. Since many of the games are based on historical settings or works of popular fiction, many gamers tend to be well read as well. My first introduction to JRR Tolkien's The Lord if the Rings was through playing Dungeons & Dragons. Many of the players in my group over the years have picked up the reading habit as well, which is comforting in this modern era of declining literacy.
  
  While it is probably not healthy to be too obsessed with playing a role, the player from my old gaming group (who played a cleric) liked the idea of healing people so much he worked his way through medical school to become a doctor. It may just be coincidential, although I still tease him about this.
  
  
• Where Do I Start?
  For the newbie gamer, there is a bewildering selection of hundreds of game systems and supplements. By far, the most painless way to learn is to join a regular group of gamers who already play. Most friendly groups take special care to show new players the ropes (we were all newbies at one time after all). Posting a message on some of the gaming sites (listed here) may help you locate a group in your area. Once you have done a few game sessions, you should have a clearer picture of what you want to play or whether the hobby is for you.
  
  By far, the most sensible advice I have ever heard somebody give a newbie is this: play only with people you get along with. With this golden rule, the fun part should be easy to achieve.
  
  
• What Types of Roleplaying Games Are Available?
  Traditionally, roleplaying games have been based on fantasy settings due to the popularity of the grandfather of all roleplaying games, Dungeons & Dragons. However these days there is probably a game for every conceivable genre and setting gamers would want to play. Some random examples with the publishing companies in parenthesis:
  
  Fantasy: Dungeons & Dragons (TSR), Runequest (Chaosium), Elric!(Chaosium), Middle Earth Role Playing (ICE), Rolemaster, GURPS Fantasy (SJ Games), Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Hogshead), Legend of the Five Rings (AEG)
  
  Sci-Fic: Traveller (GDW), Star Frontiers (TSR), Star Wars (West End), Shadowrun, Traveller 2300AD (GDW), Star Trek: TNG, Rifts, Alternity (TSR), Babylon 5, Robotech
  
  Horror: Call of Cthulhu (Chaosium), Chill, Bureau 13, Vampire: The Masquerade (White Wolf), Werewolf: The Apocalypse (White Wolf), Wraith: The Oblivion (White Wolf)
  
  Contemporary: Top Secret (TSR), James Bond 007 (Victory Games), Marvel Superheroes (TSR), Ninjas & Superspies (Palladium), Twilight 2000 (GDW), Hong Kong Action Theatre
  
  
• What Games Do You Recommend?
  Note that these are only my personal favourites and the relative merits of each game are always the subject of intense discussion between longtime gamers. For the beginner, I would recommend trying games that are based on your areas of interest. You are likely to have a good working knowledge of the background and would probably be more comfortable for your first few sessions.
  
  For the Fantasy Enthusiast
  If you liked the high fantasy of Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien) try TSR's Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) which is strongly based on the concepts introduced by that series of books. While often mercilessly derided by purists of 'roleplaying', this game probably introduced more gamers to the hobby than any other game system and serves well as a first step. The basic concepts are simple and easily understood, especially to people who have read Tolkien's classic books and know what dwarves, elves, and halflings are. The only drawback is the relatively high cost of the complete system - D&D has three main rulebooks and hundreds of supplements and optional rulebooks.
  
  Another game worth trying in the fantasy genre is RuneQuest (RQ), an elegantly simple rule system which unfortunately is long out of print and the only sources are second-hand game stores. Much cleaner in design and easier to grasp than the sometimes convoluted AD&D rules, it would be my first choice for beginning fantasy rolegamers if it was readily available. During its time, versions of the game or supplements were published by several game companies including Avalon Hill and Games Workshop. Copies of the game regularly fetch obscene prices on Ebay.
  
  For the Horror Enthusiast
  The one game that has defined this genre for most of rolegaming's history is Call of Cthulhu (COC), which is based on the works of American horror novelist Howard P. Lovecraft. Published by Chaosium, the same company that gave us RuneQuest, a short description does it no justice. To read my lengthy opinion of this bestselling game, click here.
  
  Other games worth trying are White Wolf's World of Darkness series of which my two favourites are Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse.
  
  For the Science Fiction Enthusiast
  The one game that should be an example for all publishers of science fiction RPGs is West End Games' Star Wars. Clean, elegant rules which never get in the way of the story capture perfectly the space opera setting that is familiar to most of the world. Unfortunately the game is currently in limbo following the financial problems at West End. And to the horror of many of the roleplaying purists, the coveted Star Wars RPG license has been picked up by TSR. Coincidently, another game worth trying is TSR's Alternity which is featured on this site (Click here).
  
  Other Genres
  For gamers with an interest in the orient, especially samurai and ninja, I heartily recommend AEG's Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) which allows gamers to play in a fantasy world based on Japanese mythology. The quality of the writing is terrific and is one of those rare games that is as much fun to read as to play. To jump to the L5R section on this site, click here.

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