Re: What was the first RPG?

[mcarmack@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Michael Carmack)]

Matthias Mensing (mensing@bst.fal.de) wrote:
: So maybe someone could first present a definition "what is a rpg"?

I think you'll get a lot of varying answers, but here's my general definition.
In an RPG, the player gets a chance to create his character to suit
his/her tastes.  At minimum this involves choosing a name, and ideally a
race, class, even a picture if the graphics can support it.  There should
be some numerical statistics involved to the character, including
strength, intelligence, agility, hit points, etc.  (They could be called
something else, of course, but we all know what they mean.)  Some or all
of these statistics should be able to improve over time, e.g. by gaining
experience levels or some other method of advancement.  You should be able
to equip your character(s) with different weapons and armor which will
affect your luck in combat.  Finally, you need to have some interaction
with NPCs, even if it's as basic as getting the quests from the kings in
Ultima I.  I really don't see a need for much combat, except as a means to
gain experience and to make the game more exciting.

That's just my definition, and of course I recognize that there will be
holes in it.  Some really popular RPGs don't make it according to this; 
Betrayal at Krondor springs instantly to mind.  The pre-made characters
detract from the first rule of an RPG:  the characters aren't you.  I
prefer to call it an interactive story, a category I also use for most
SNES RPGs (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, etc.)

: But this would lead us into a discussion like "who was the additional
: Nexus-Unit in Blade Runner?" 

Decker!

: or "Is Roswell a fake?" 

No, it was Quark, Rom, and Nog.

: or "Who sunk the Titanic?" 

Could have sworn it was an iceberg.

: or "Has Jupiter a solid surface?" 

Well, I suppose it does if you penetrate deep enough.

: or "Why gets milk bad while thunderstorms?" or "... =-]

??? That's new to me...
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