Why are RPG's called RPG's?

uruku_x

Something I've been wondering for awhile.



Roleplaying-You play a role in almost every game but tetris. Whether you're Cloud, Ryu or your MMO character.



RPG's seem to be defined by stats, levels, equipment, story etc... Not really acting anything out. The characters(not talking MMO now) are going to do what they were programmed to do with little choice. You're not so much playing a role than you are directing it.



So, were they just dubbed RPG for something easy to call them?

Keebs1984

Basically, yes.

RPGs are called RPGs simply because its an easy term to reference an entire genre, despite whether said games actually fit into that genre or whether the term RPG would actually apply to other games as well.

 

gpett

Originally posted by uruku_x

Something I've been wondering for awhile.



Roleplaying-You play a role in almost every game but tetris. Whether you're Cloud, Ryu or your MMO character.



RPG's seem to be defined by stats, levels, equipment, story etc... Not really acting anything out. The characters(not talking MMO now) are going to do what they were programmed to do with little choice. You're not so much playing a role than you are directing it.



So, were they just dubbed RPG for something easy to call them?

 

I agree.

Role Playing Game used to mean you became an actor acting out a character other than yourself within a game.  There are still people that play games this way, but they are a very small percentage of the modern day population. 

The modern name of Role Playing Games should be changed to Character Building Games or Character Development Games. 

I think the term RPG started getting twisted around when single player console games like Final Fantasy stole the RPG terminology.  They are not RPGs in my oppinion, nobody pretends to be Cloud or Link when they play FF or Zelda.