Subject:
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Re: Lego RPG DraK'en.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.fun
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Date:
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Tue, 26 Nov 2002 19:00:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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1296 times
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In lugnet.fun.gaming, Frank Filz writes:
> Matt Hein wrote:
> >
> > Hello, I've recently completed one of my comprehensive
> > lego rpgs for your enjoyment, so here goes.
> >
> > http://www.lugnet.com/~1112/DraKen
>
> One thing I'd like to point out is that at least from a quick glance at
> the rules, I would not really call this an RPG. • <snippage>
> I'm sorry for this digression but as a compartmentalized dork, I take my
> categorization somewhat seriously.
I agree with you on this, Frank. I favor catagorization also. Your term,
Interactive Fiction is a nice one, possibly a broad catagory that includes
many other sub-types of games.
Role Playing Games traditionally are those that literally offer role playing
by the players. That is, the players pretend to be someone or something
they are not. Generally this happens in table-top RPGs (like D&D and a
hundred others) and LARPs (Live Action Role Playing games), where people act
out their fictional characters every move and word. I think what makes an
RPG different from other games is this very thing, that the players take on
the persona of a character and act 'in-character', speaking or acting almost
as if on stage. Technically, by this definition, little kids playing "cops
and robbers" or even just having a "tea party" are role playing.
Games like Monopoly or Clue are what I call Family Board Games, and although
you could say a player pretends to be a real estate baron in Monopoly, I
would argue they do not actually role play the part with dramatic portrayals
of the character's personality and speech.
Tactical and Strategy Games are another catagory, and I would agree with you
that the game being discussed has more elements of such than an RPG. (That
is not a bad thing, BTW.)
Then there are parlor games (what I call Social Games) like Pictionary,
Charades, etc. And there are card games, sports, etc. etc.
And of course Computer and Consol games have generated a whole series of new
catagories. Some of these are just adaptations or an evolution of other
types, such as Computer Strategy Games, which in turn can be sub-divided
into Turn Based and Real Time.
What was once Computer Adventure Games (text programs like Zork) have
evolved to have a graphic interface (like Myst). These are sometimes
marketed as RPGs, but it is a matter of opinion how much (if any) role
playing there really is.
I have also seen some First-Person-Shooters marketed as RPGs, and again, I
personally don't see the player acting out the thoughts and persona of the
character enough to be a true RPG.
Some newer PC games (Diablo, Neverwinter Nights, etc.) have targeted the
audience that also likes table-top RPGs with similar themes and scenarios,
and these games also allow the player to develop a unique (or somewhat
unique) character, and they can allow multi-player action among friends or
even in larger communities online. In many ways, this is an RPG, but I
think of it more as a Simulation of an RPG, since it lacks some of the true
social aspects that normal RPGs offer.
The tough part is that, depending on how the players act, any of these games
can overlap considerably between catagories. A friend and I love to play
the Strategy Board Game 'Amoeba Wars' (Avalon Hill), but he and I are goofy
enough to actually use character voices and simulate spaceship sound effects
when it is our turn to command our fleets to attack a new solar system. He
might pretend he is the leader of an alien race and speak in a deep dramatic
voice declaring, "My fleet will destroy you puny Earthlings!" So. Is
Amoeba Wars a Strategy game? Or an RPG?
Anyway, in the case of playing with Lego Minifigures, we have a whole new
catagory: PBB (Plastic Building Brick) Games. Most of the PBBs I have seen
are actually Tactical or Strategy games that use Lego figures instead of
traditional wargame miniatures. Some PBBs have some creative uses of Lego
elements that you simply could not get through the traditional medium. But
again, I argue that most PBBs are Strategy games not Role Playing games. I
think the game linked above has elements of an RPG in the same way that
Diablo or other cross-catagory PC games I mentioned. It is not a true RPG.
But, if you have wacky players who want to give each minifig its own
personality and voice, it could be played as one.
That's my rambling for the day,
-Hendo
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Lego RPG DraK'en.
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| (...) Actually, I agree with Bruce, Interractive Fiction is best kept to refer to games following closely in the footsteps of Zork. (...) See the problem with defining what you and I would call an RPG is that each of the key elements is common in (...) (22 years ago, 26-Nov-02, to lugnet.off-topic.fun)
| | | Re: Lego RPG DraK'en.
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| (...) I would argue that NWN is about as close to a true RPG as has yet been done on a PC... it is a pretty accurate embodiment of the AD&D 3 rules, it allows for a specific dungeon master role, you are quite concerned with character advancement, (...) (22 years ago, 27-Nov-02, to lugnet.off-topic.fun)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Lego RPG DraK'en.
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| (...) the rules, I would not really call this an RPG. While any game (including Monopoly) could be considered a "role playing game", in the (non-computer) gaming industry, the term RPG has traditionally reffered to a game style where players (...) (22 years ago, 25-Nov-02, to lugnet.gaming, lugnet.off-topic.fun)
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