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IGN on the State of the CRPG

Posted by Zonk on from the hack-slash-rinse-repeat dept.

Via the ffwd linklog, IGN has a feature up discussing the current state of the CRPG. From the article: "Most people tend to associate RPGs with sword-swinging maidens in chainmail bikinis and doddering old white-bearded mages in robes spattered with owl poop. While the high fantasy setting is certainly the stock background for most RPGs, an RPG is defined not by its content but by its manner of presentation. To be a true RPG, a game must contain three elements. First, it should offer up an interactive story in which the player takes a vital part. Second, RPGs must allow for character growth that's driven by a player's choices or actions. Finally, RPGs must be built upon a system of rules and statistics that are used to resolve the events that take place in the world."

5 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Poor Final Fantasy... by KDR_11k · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, at least one mainstream "publication" that excludes japanese stat-based interactive movies from the computer RPG genre.

    What I don't see is a reason for computer RPGs to use any stats the user can see. Stats were just a crutch for pen&paper RPGs since you couldn't do a proper simulation. Computers take away the need for user-accessible stats and calculations. And seriously, in real life noone says they have "coding skill level 31" or something, they know they are a good coder or they think they are. Some might protest but it fits much better with the role-playing spirit if you have as little information about the simulation mechanics as possible.

    No mention of Nethack, though...

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    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    1. Re:Poor Final Fantasy... by C0rinthian · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It would be interesting to see this in action in an MMORPG. Stats and levels are completely hidden, and the only knowledge of a characters ability is indirect. (I.E. - I can kill these rabbits twice as fast as last week, lets try something harder) The same would go for mobs and NPC's. You don't know how tough someone is until you take them on. Throw this into a PvP game, and it would be very interesting. No more "I'm lvl 60 and he's lvl 55. I'm gonna win" mentality.

      heck, I'd play it in a heartbeat.

  2. Re:Growth not essential by KDR_11k · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Nowadays "RPG" seems to mean "with stats that increase as you kill monsters". That means they'd dispute whether interactive fiction without stats quialifies as an RPG even though you play a role.

    OTOH roleplaying is a term that comes from pre-computer limitations, almost all computer games involve playing a role these days and the involved simulations clearly surpass what the GM settled with a d20 back then.

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    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  3. Re:Growth not essential by damiangerous · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Perhaps you could technically call it role playing in the sense that you are "playing a role", but not in any meaningful sense. I would argue that without growth, you are little more than an actor in a stage play. Sure it's satisfying in its own way but it's definitely not what we would consider role playing in this context.

  4. Re:Swords overrated by Nasarius · · Score: 4, Informative

    Fallout.

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