Role-playing games (RPGs) have been around for decades. The earliest RPGs were tabletop games played with pen and paper, where players assumed the roles of characters in a fictional world and interacted with each other to create a story. With the advent of computers and the internet, RPGs have evolved into massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), where players from all over the world can come together and create epic adventures.
What is an RPG?
An RPG is a game where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional world and interact with each other to create a story. The game is usually played with a game master (GM) who creates and narrates the world, and the players who create and control their own characters. Each player???s character has a set of attributes, skills, and abilities that determine what they can do in the game world.
Tabletop RPGs
Tabletop RPGs are played with pen and paper, and are usually set in a fantasy world filled with magic and monsters. The GM creates the world and narrates the story, while the players create their own characters and interact with each other to create the story. The game is usually played with dice, which are rolled to determine the outcome of actions.
Old-School Playbook
The Old-School Playbook is a guide to playing tabletop RPGs in the old-school style. It focuses on the original games like Dungeons & Dragons, and provides tips and advice on how to create and run a game that captures the feel of those early games. It includes rules for creating characters, generating random encounters, and running combat.
MMORPGs
MMORPGs are online games where players from all over the world can come together and create epic adventures. The game is usually set in a fantasy world filled with magic and monsters, and players create their own characters to explore the world and interact with other players. The game is usually played in real-time, with players able to chat and interact with each other as they play.
Character Creation
Character creation is a crucial part of any RPG. In tabletop RPGs, players create their own characters using a set of rules and guidelines provided by the game. In MMORPGs, players create their characters using an interface provided by the game. The character???s attributes, skills, and abilities determine what they can do in the game, and can be customized to suit the player???s preferences.
Game Master
The Game Master is the person who creates and narrates the world in tabletop RPGs. They are responsible for creating the story, setting the scene, and controlling the non-player characters (NPCs) that the players interact with. In MMORPGs, the game itself acts as the GM, creating the world and providing quests for the players to complete.
Combat
Combat is an important part of many RPGs. In tabletop RPGs, combat is usually resolved using dice rolls to determine the outcome of actions. In MMORPGs, combat is usually resolved in real-time, with players using their characters??? abilities to defeat monsters and other players.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer tabletop RPGs or MMORPGs, the Role-Playing Game Primer and Old-School Playbook provides a useful guide to creating and running your own game. With tips and advice on character creation, combat, and game mastering, you can create epic adventures and explore new worlds with your friends.