Game Category:Info Pages: 
 | What are Role Playing Games? 
Roleplaying games, or RPG's are games where you play the role of a fictional character in a fantastic situation. You don't need to dress up in rubber masks and pretend armour to play them, either (though you can if you want - its called Live Action Role Playing or LARP for short). You might know about computer RPG's already, but these are really very limited, because you can't do much roleplaying with a computer! For the real RPG effect, you need to play with other people and really assume the role of the character you are 'pretending' to be. |
Major RPG systems
You have probably heard of Dungeons and Dragons already - its probably the most widely played of these games. There are many others though:
-
Dungeons and Dragons (and the new d20 system) is the father of them all, and has a huge following.
-
Middle Earth Role Playing (The old Iron Crown system based on Rolemaster) is a system designed around the books of JRR Tolkein. A new system has just emerged to complement the latest film releases too.
-
The Call of Cthulhu is the de-facto horror role-playing game system, based on the works of writers such as H P Lovecraft and R E Howard. It's one of the most atmospheric systems in use today.
-
7th Sea Roleplaying is a swashbuckling epic that allows you to play in a fantastical European setting for pirates, musketeers and similar flamboyant characters. Pirates of the Carribean and all that kind of thing.
-
Star Wars(there are several systems including one using the new d20 system) allows you to take on hte mantle of a Jedi Knight, or even a Sith Lord in the well known Sci-Fi setting of George Lucas' film series.
-
The World of Darkness (vampires, werewolves and other strangenesses from White Wolf) series provides ample opportunities for roleplaying in a wierd version of the real world. If you like Buffy, you will like this!
There are many more systems all with their own styles and unique feel - choose one that excites and interests you and your friends.
|
Settings for RPGs There are a huge number of game settings these days. Some are based on well known books (such as Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, Elric or Conan), some are based on historical places and times from our own world (Robin Hood, Ancient Greece or the Wild West), but most are simply created by the millions of players from their own imaginations. Most rules systems are designed with a specific setting in mind, and the rules of the game work best whilst played within that setting.
That doesn't stop people from using one set of rules in a completely different setting though, and it has actually lead to a few games systems that are multi-purpose. The best known of these are the new d20 system (which has evolved from Dungeons and Dragons), the GURPS system (it stands for General Universal Role Playing System) and to a lesser extent, Rolemaster (which has been adapted for use in fantasy, historical and science fiction settings).
|
What do I need to Start Playing First off, you need a few friends! Chat about your interests and the kind of settings that you might enjoy playing in. If you all love Sci Fi and Star Wars, then try the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. If Vampires and gothic horror are more your thing then the World of Darkness games might be better for you.
Of course, the d20 system is a great one to choose too. It is mainly a fantasy oriented system, but can be adapted easily and there are loads of games already available written specially for it. The best thing is that there are literally hundreds of companies producing accessories, adventures, resources and extra rules for the game, so you should never loose interest!
When you know what you want to play, you need a set of rule books, some dice, paper and pencils and a place to play......
|
|
