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The Basic RPG elements of an RPG
HappyFace
Member UncommonPosts: 27
Just curious here,
When you guys think of core RPG elements... does customization come to mind?
- Character Customization
- Class Customization
- Weapon Customization
Example: Is the fact that you can customize your weapon to your liking and playstyle in Mass Effect 3 a core RPG element? That element being, of course, customization.
With this little cherry on top of the question: Is customization a great sign of progression through an RPG?
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Comments
When I think of "Core Elements" of an RPG, customization as you have listed doesn't break my top 5. Heack, maybe not even my top 10.
But, I'm an old school pencil & paper gamer that has created two different game worlds. People who have that mentality aren't making MMORPGs these days.
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Yeah, so am I (kinda). But, even pen and paper RPGs had customization within it. Making your character your own is the purpose of the Role Play.
Try to imagine an RPG without no customization at all.. not even stat allocation.
- EDIT:
Im not talking just MMORPGs, but all RPGS. I can't think of an RPG/MMO that doesnt have one thing of customization.
I think customization is needed for an RPG, thus making it a core element.
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Out of curiousity, what would be your top ten core elements of an RPG?
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Character customization isn't the primary function of rpgs, its the primary function of a dressup game.
Roleplaying games are about assuming a role in whatever world and being imersed in your character.
The most important element of an RPG for me was always story, and this is what set it apart from other types of games. Following each characters different traits, personalities, and progressing through the game was always the major aspect of RPGs.
Many early RPGs (in the video game world) had few or no customization elements, it was the long story that you followed. Sure, you could choose which class to play, or which weapon to equip, but these were limited. In the end, playing these characters, playing their stories, living in their world is what makes RPGs different from fps, hack and slashes, and other types of games.
1. Massive by design
- character customization
- custom attributes
- open world
- growing into a role
- writting your own unique story instead of an interactive movie or linear questline
the Witcher 2 comes to mind awesome game.
We need a MMORPG Cataclysm asap, finish the dark age of MMORPGS now!
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"Then maybe MMORPGs aren't for you."
I think weapon customization is too specific to be considered a core element. I do believe equipment serves an important part in RPGs; however, only a small percentage of these are actually weapons. Perhaps "Equipment Customization" would be better?
I am ancient and played DND from the beginning.
To answer the question you first have to answer what is role-playing? Answer: Acting out a make believe person.
Knowing that, the core elements of a RPG as those elements which allow/support Role-playing.
Simple.
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I think class customization is by far to me the biggest part. What are my options with my character? Can I specify a specific role within the game system? (That role can be anything from a weapon specialist(even specific say dagger or spear) to crafting, to being locked in a specific role but with variation in way to do that role that feel unique. I don't care just give me options)
Like I for instance played a mage in NWN2 that used only fire spells(never completed the game, will probably pick them back up after a few run throughs of others). I like games that allow me to wear armor/weapons for looks or modify it(NWN1 had the best armor customizations in a game I've ever played). I think having a pleasing looking character is part of the appeal and his/her(non-mmo) looks most be awesome.
With that said, I like it down to everything. If I can't adjust the base stats, adjust skills that adjust my powers/base stats work as well.
The last important feature of a rpg is of course party customization different members with different ways to tackle the game at replayability and not just based on your own character. Some games I've run 5-6 times through and haven't used all the party members. I think this is where GW2/TSW have it right in the MMO world with you meeting(if memory serves me right) its just an overall system of needing X type of class between everyone and you should be able to do it.