RPG
RPG (Role-Playing Game) is a genre mostly used in varied forms of interactive storytelling where participants (or players) assume the roles of fictional characters and create varied narratives in collaboration. In every aspect where RPG can be used as a tag, it often refers to a kind of narrative and interaction that will include a certain progression marked with stats, or levels as a common and identifiable point in different works and media.
Etymology
The term RPG (Role-Playing Game) originated from certain tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, which was initially inspired by wargaming. "Role-playing" might be defined as assuming and acting out as a specific and fictional character, while "game" refers to follow structured mechanics or objectives. The concept RPG evolved as a genre after video games in the 1980s, further popularizing the term and having and started to dissolute the initial niche nature of it.
Pop Culture
Mainly RPGs become mainstream in videogames, being introduced in Pop Culture with classic franchises like Final Fantasy, The Elder Scrolls, and Pokémon, being considered the first ones to bring the genre to a mainstream audience. Tabletop RPGs, mainly Dungeons & Dragons, have influenced fantasy and sci-fi works, paving the way to different kinds of narratives; also getting presence in varied works, having appearances in shows like Stranger Things. Online roleplay communities also adopt RPG elements sometimes, adding structured gameplay and emergent storytelling to create immersive experiences.
CrushOn Usage
On CrushOn the main usage of this tag is for two different kind of bots/characters, mainly open scenarios where you're able to guide the story in a kind of free sandbox, often with D&D themed scenarios and some others more like a kind of gamification of the interaction with single bots, where you are able to fulfil certain stats for the character to guide the interaction to a certain point, certainly being one of the most interactive tags within the platform.
This scenario has a setup similar to SAO, where you get pulled into an RPG game for real and the interaction starts at the moment you meet The Final Boss, and it is up to you to choose how you'd confront or interact with her. The credit goes to Von Capalot who created this bot.
This is a clear example of how open RPG scenarios can be, where the set up puts you in a medieval fantasy narrative. As a part of a guild, with this bot you'll have different quests that you can choose, and it also includes stats and "trackers" that will give a follow up to the gold you get from each quest and an "Adventurer Rank" that will be given as the quests get completed. The credit goes to waaagre who created this bot.
In this scenario, you get to meet Lillian. This is a more traditional roleplay set up which might get its RPG tag due to the nature of it being in a Medieval Fantasy environment. This is also an option you can find within the tag characters, being able to choose a more 1-on-1 interaction instead of more adventurous set ups. The credit goes to Superbuu who created this bot.
See Also
References
- The History of RPGs, TheGamer, 2017
- History of Role Playing Games, Functional Nerds, 2013
- The Role of Fantasy Games in Pop Culture, SDLC Corp, 2024