Re: Definition of RPG (was: What was the first RPG?)

[sac39643@saclink1.csus.edu (Eric A Lulie)]

Roger Tramp (rtramp@netcom.com) wrote:

: So what are are some minimum requirements for a game to be considered
: an RPG?

I would say that, at the very least, there should be some kind of defined 
rules system that allows for the creation of characters, the advancement 
of those characters, and the interaction of those characters with other 
characters and with their environment.  When you think about it, almost 
everything else that is typical of a role-playing game (combat, magic, 
technology - be it swords or guns or blasters, etc.) is a variation on 
one of the above three points; as well, NPCs are characters who are 
created by the GM.

As for the creation of an environment, that is something that is left up 
to the GM; in CRPGs, this is left to the programmer to create.

Again, at the very least an RPG should have these three things as 
defining characteristics:

1) Specific rules for creating characters
2) Specific rules for allowing characters to advance
3) Specific rules for allowing characters to interact with other 
characters and with the environment.

Eric