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Why are RPGs called RPGs?
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Gerad
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Why are RPGs called RPGs?
   

Rpg stands for ROLE PLAYING GAME ok...

so techinuely a game like tomb raider would be an rpg...

Personally I think the term RPG should be ditiched for something
more explainitive.

HOW BOUT STAT RASING GAME srg!!!!!

I like rpgs personally more than any other type of game

I was thinking about this though after playing a game called Mafia
which is a role playing game in the literal sense.

A question though anybody know who coined the term RPG??? I mean
the first nintendo game was an rpg, your role was mario!!!!

See my point??? The guy who decided to call RPGs RPGs was none too bright, oh well we are stuck with the term I`m just wondering if anyone knows the origin of the term rpg????
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 7:01 am
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Pinnen
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And why is it called "Shoot´em up", when your are actually shooting them down?
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 7:30 am
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Dhruin
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I understand your point but the difference I would see is that a true RPG gives you a measure (if not a lot) of control over the development of the character and often the initial formation. In Mafia I play a set role and the only thing I can change is which gun I shoot with.

Although all RPGs have stats, a good RPG will offer a different experience for the player as those stats change/develop.
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 9:36 am
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Hexy
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Also, an rpg is seldom linear as an action game (e.g. Max Payne).
You can go back and forth a lot in the game.
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 9:39 am
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Gothic Soul
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quote:
Originally posted by Pinnen
And why is it called "Shoot´em up", when your are actually shooting them down?

Hilarious.
In Role playng games your living the world and the character something a lot of games miss out.
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 3:14 pm
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Provis
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Most likely it has to do with the fact that Dungeon and Dragons and other pnp RPGs were called Role Playing Games, so when computer programers decided to make games that captured that environment for computers it was only natural to call them Role Playing Games so that other DnD nuts would recognize the premise of the game and pick it up.

If you think about it RTS games aren't the only games that could be called RTS games, when you play fps you need to have develop stratagy in real time to win.
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 4:36 pm
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Jaz
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Provis is right; Gary Gygax created D&D which was the first pen and paper role playing *game*, and the category handle was applied to the works of his epigons. Gygax' creation itself was influenced by J.L. Moreno's sociodrama...

(from Jazzie's Secret Source of Obscure Trivia)
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 5:07 pm
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Andro
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The gaming industry also likes to give things nifty little three letter genre titles. RPG, RTS, FPS. I'm disappointed they couldn't come up with a shorter version of MMORPG - I hate typing that. I mean, why not just use ORPG
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 6:30 pm
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mDrop
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@Jaz, Provis, you are right. D&D was the first role-playing game with constant, agreed upon rules. Until then, the RPGs had been mostly used in psychology and other human sciences as a way to act out different social scenarios.

Role-playing games got a lot from the old historic strategy games. The first D&D geeks played those and thought that it would be interesting to play the game from a single soldier's perspective too.

CRPGs are not real RPGs. Mafia has nothing to do with playing a role in the real sense. Playing a role means that you can make decisions, develop your character (not just stats, but also his personality, viewpoints and attitudes), not just assuming a single, unchanging role. Tomb Raider and Mafia have nothing to do with role-playing, since the character does not change in the game and you have no control on how the character should react to different situations, other than deciding the combat strategy.

CRPGs can never become as deep as pnp RPGs, atleast not untill we have developed a suitable, real AI to handle the game master's post.
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 6:36 pm
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Gothic Soul
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quote:
Originally posted by Andro
The gaming industry also likes to give things nifty little three letter genre titles. RPG, RTS, FPS. I'm disappointed they couldn't come up with a shorter version of MMORPG - I hate typing that. I mean, why not just use ORPG

Anyway what does MMORPG stands for???
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 8:58 pm
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Andro
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Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.

Perhaps the most stupid acronym ever.
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 9:04 pm
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Pinnen
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I saw a game be called Massively Multiplayer Online Epic Strategy Space Saga in Indefinate Persistent Universe Role Playing Game. Or something. Can´t remember wich though, but I think it was Earth and Beyond.
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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 10:38 pm
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DzD
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quote:
Originally posted by Pinnen
I saw a game be called Massively Multiplayer Online Epic Strategy Space Saga in Indefinate Persistent Universe Role Playing Game. Or something. Can´t remember wich though, but I think it was Earth and Beyond.

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Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 10:41 pm
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Andro
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Ahh... a good ole MMOESSSiIPURPG.
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 10:43 pm
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Gerad
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Alright I see where the term rpg comes from now that whole Dungeons and dragons thing started it.

Still my whole point is that in a literal sense if you play a game where you play the role of a character it is a role playing game.

but of course we know what RPGs really are I still advocate changing the term RPG though but it would a hassle and nobody would like it.

how bout DRPG detailed role playing game hmm thats a little ambigious too
oh well the term RPG will stay.
Post Fri Oct 25, 2002 11:16 pm
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