Re: What was the first RPG?

[cyclops@minn.net (W. Gregory Klett)]

In article <4b9e6n$anv@indigo2.dv.fal.de>, mensing@bst.fal.de (Matthias
Mensing) wrote:

>So maybe someone could first present a definition "what is a rpg"?
>
>But this would lead us into a discussion like "who was the additional
>Nexus-Unit in Blade Runner?" or "Is Roswell a fake?" or "Who sunk the
>Titanic?" or "Has Jupiter a solid surface?" or "Why gets milk bad while
>thunderstorms?" or "... =-]
>
>by
>Matthias

 Actually this is a self defining term;
  "Role Playing Game"

 Adventure and Akalabeth etal only really vary in their interfaces. In 
both of these you are playing the role of a character on an adventure. 
Point and Click, or Text entry doesn't matter, neither does the text or 
graphic output. It is the structure and how you interact with the world 
that make it a roleplaying game. Better games, IMO, are those that provide 
a complete and vivid feedback of the world you are entering. True, the 
above would technically include the DOOM family of games as well, but 
only just as the feedback may be vivid, but extremely limited!
 My first Role Playing event was back in the dark ages of the Cold War. In 
school we were to take on the Role of the President having to choose who 
would get to enter the Fallout shelter and who wouldn't! I only wish I 
could remember how the choices went back then. (1970)

 Greg Klett

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