Who Says RPGs Are Nonsense?
Most people think that RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons are just one of those mindless games which transport their players into a fantasy land. They also criticize the violent nature of these games. These are some of the reasons they think RPGs are harmful to children, although some people take it to extremes. However, they [...]
The RPG and the Multiplayer Revolution
With even game consoles being able to access the Internet, it isn’t surprising that one of the key concepts to sell a game these days is multiplayer. Nearly everything, it seems, is getting some form of multiplayer mode slapped onto the finished product. For the most part, there are games that avoid this by virtue [...]
Does “Rolling Your Own” Still Matter?
Stepping away from the debate over powergaming and roleplaying and whether or not a middle ground between the two really does exist, there is another RPG-related debate that has sometimes raged. It is more subdued and rarely comes up in the kinds of circles that get into free WoW account shenanigans, but it does tend [...]
The “Legend” Of Leeroy Jenkins
People that have played MMOs, or at least World of Warcraft, are likely to have heard the name of Leeroy Jenkins. For those who haven’t, it would be wise to first point out that this is not the name of the guy who set up 12 monitors and a video wall processor so he could [...]
RPG Design School: The Union of Mechanics and Story
When most gamers think of RPG elements, they think “combat, XP tables, and quests.” For better or worse, this appears to be what the declining RPG genre has offered the gaming industry. However, for those among the community that still remember what the genre meant in those bygone days, RPGs have always been more about [...]
If Only It Wasn’t Translated By a Blind Idiot
The Wide, Open Quicksandbox
Unlike Ben 10 games or some genres, RPGs have always tended to be “individualistic” in its design themes. Different RPGs handle things in a myriad of different ways. Some rely on semi-linear progress, with more and more of the setting being opened up as the player progresses through the plot.
The Final Fantasy series, for example, tends to presents its world in broad strokes since the game inevitably ha
The Mysterious World of Japan-Exclusive Games
That One Mini-Game in KotOR
Who Says RPGs Are Nonsense?
The RPG and the Multiplayer Revolution
With even game consoles being able to access the Internet, it isn’t surprising that one of the key concepts to sell a game these days is multiplayer. Nearly everything, it seems, is getting some form of multiplayer mode slapped onto the finished product. For the most part, there are games that avoid this by virtue of design – they’re simply not cut out to be played with other people. However, while ol
Does “Rolling Your Own” Still Matter?
Stepping away from the debate over powergaming and roleplaying and whether or not a middle ground between the two really does exist, there is another RPG-related debate that has sometimes raged. It is more subdued and rarely comes up in the kinds of circles that get into free WoW account shenanigans, but it does tend to show up more for folks who play tabletop RPGs. The debate is whether “rolling your ownR
The “Legend” Of Leeroy Jenkins
People that have played MMOs, or at least World of Warcraft, are likely to have heard the name of Leeroy Jenkins. For those who haven’t, it would be wise to first point out that this is not the name of the guy who set up 12 monitors and a video wall processor so he could play a ten-man raid instance without actually having nine other players. No, this is a comedic – and possibly deliberately setup – story
RPG Design School: The Union of Mechanics and Story
When most gamers think of RPG elements, they think “combat, XP tables, and quests.” For better or worse, this appears to be what the declining RPG genre has offered the gaming industry. However, for those among the community that still remember what the genre meant in those bygone days, RPGs have always been more about cohesive and integrated design than simple elements.
A story wasn’t enough and
Old School: Icewind Dale II
Depending on one’s view of the genre and what playing an RPG is all about, someone may or may not consider Icewind Dale II as the penultimate example of the power inherent to Black Isle Studios’ old Infinite Engine. This is because it drops nearly all “roleplaying” aspects in favor of tactical combat, character optimization, and good old powergaming.
Set in the icy north of the Forgotten Rea
