A RPG By Any Other Name?

Quote:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." -- Romeo & Juliet

Quite simply, what is a Roleplaying Game?

A classic editions argument of that Venerable Old Game in another thread has sparked me to ponder it. I'd be interested to hear the (productive) input of others.

I will try to put my definition as simply as possible:

Quote:

A RPG is a game of choice and chance within a chosen narrative. Players make characters that inhabit the chosen narrative and utilize rules that aid in the resolution of the narrative's possible choices and risks.

Basically its inherently narrative driven with the beginning, middle, and end of a story. This differentiates it from boardgames with a good motif, I believe, because in boardgames there is no middle. You start with a setup and finish when a goal is met. Also you aren't pressed to create narrative in something like Monopoly even though some of us do.

In boardgames all actions just are. I would say that when playing a RPG the player is always being asked "What are you doing and why?"

Now to be controversial. To be a game it must have risk. Without risk there is no game. It would just be a telling. To be a roleplaying it must have choice. Without choice there is nothing to play out. It would just be a listening.

So yes, I stand in defiance against what some call collaborative story telling. They are all well and good, but none shall pass here! Well at least for me any way...

So by all means, pick this apart, add to it, and or take stuff out. I'm interested to hear it...

Spoiler:  

Yes, to me, D&D 4E is still a roleplaying game and that's the last I'll say of the matter in this thread.

A RPG By Any Other Name?