(the ‘G’ in RPG stands for “Game”, so is “RPG game” incorrect?)
I’ve played lots of RPG games in my life. Rage of Mages, Nox, Diablo II, Baldur’s Gate II, Neverwinter Nights, Final Fantasy X, and Star Wars: KOTOR are among those. A common “feature” in all those RPG games are leveling up, in which Diablo II was the best IMHO. However, many RPG addicts often point that the true essence of RPG is the “role playing” element.
To “role play” is to assume control of a certain character. Of course before we can role play a character, a character must exist. In most games, we usually have the freedom to create the character. Creating in this sense is not merely assigning a name and some stas, but also defining the personality (and often history) of the character.
For example, when creating a character I might decide that “Liore Amethia” is a half-elf mage. An avid learner, she set foot on adventure to enrich his knowledge and experience while ensuring that evil gets banished along his path. She has a fond admiration for children and plants.
Another character could be “Dallas Reignheart”, a neutral evil thief. He will work for anyone as long as the right money is given. He also tries to not be too entangled with a certain faction. He’s not comfortable with anything that wastes his time.
After creating the character, we must try to role play it correctly in the game. Imagine these situations and how each character will react…
Liore
Slum child: “Please m’lady, alms for the poor…”
Liore: “Here you go.”
Slum child: “Uhm, actually I have a sister that’s sick. Could you give me more money?”
Liore: “Oh, how terrible. Could you show me your house? I could bring her to a priest I know.”
Slum child: “Never mind…” (runs away)
Dallas
Slum child: “Sir, alms for the poor…”
Dallas: (ignores)
Slum child: “Sir…”
Dallas: “Get lost!”
Liore
Stanger: “Oh thank God! My lady, you look like an adventurer, would you care to listen to this weird thing I just encountered?”
Liore: “Speak on…”
Stranger: “Let me introduce myself…”
Liore: (listens enthusiastically)
Dallas
Stanger: “Oh thank God! Sir, you look like an adventurer, would you care to listen to this weird thing I just encountered?”
Dallas: “Are you trying to hire a mercenary?”
Stranger: “No sir, no… However, I think you might be interested to know that it’s related to the forbidden fountain myth.”
Dallas: “Aah, tell me then.”
Stranger: “Let me introduce myself. I’m John and I my house is not so far from here. I live with my lovely wife and daugthers.”
Dallas: (frowns, doubtful whether the story will go anywhere)
Stranger: “I have a farm besides my house - you could probably see it. It’s over there, see… - and my neighbor Janson usually helps me working it. A strong and nice guy he is. He’s also married, although he doesn’t have any child yet. Well, I guess that’s not weird considering that he just married Angela six months ago…”
Dallas: “Please, get directly to the point!”
Stranger: “Oh, ok, sorry sir. You see, the story starts just two days ago when I and Janson went to the river…”
Liore
Shopkeeper: “You seem to be interested in this item. For you, it’s only twenty one zennies.”
Liore: “Isn’t it awfully cheap?”
Shopkeeper: “Aaah… That’s because my source is special…”
Liore: “You wouldn’t happen to get it from a black market, would you.”
Shopkeeper: “I wouldn’t call it a black market, my dear lady. I prefer to call it…”
Liore: “Sorry, I don’t buy stolen goods.”
Dallas
Shopkeeper: “You seem to be interested in this item. For you, it’s only twenty one zennies.”
Dallas: “Hey, you must get this from the black market, right?”
Shopkeeper: “I wouldn’t call it a black market, sir. I prefer to call it a ’special market’.”
Dallas: (chortles) “Whatever. Give me five of those.”
Liore
Goblin chieftain: “Please, please, stop! I have an offer! Spare my life!”
Liore: “After you slaughter those innocent childs? Feel my wrath, evil creature!” (casts magic missile)
Dallas
Goblin chieftain: “Please, please, stop! I have an offer! Spare my life!”
Dallas: “Speak quickly and don’t try to play games with me!”
Goblin chieftain: “No, no! Behind that drawer, that drawer! You’ll find map to our treasury! Take it, take all!”
Dallas: “Heh, stupid creature… Of course I’ll take your head too for the village leader!” (stabs)
Liore
Baron Ployer: “So, will you do the job?”
Liore: “Sir, it seems that you want me to trick the peasants!”
Baron Ployer: “They won’t notice anything different! Nobody will be hurt, and we’ll both get our share of fortune.”
Liore: “I refuse. Also, if you still insist doing it I will have no choice but to report you to Sir Eddington.”
Baron Ployer: “How dare you threaten me! Guards, attack!!!”
Dallas
Baron Ployer: “So, will you do the job?”
Dallas: “You’re asking me to do something very risky. I don’t think the reward is enough.”
Baron Ployer: “Ten thousand zennies. That’s final.”
Dallas: “Deal!”
While games like Diablo II limits our role playing only to our character’s equipments and stats, games like Baldur’s Gate II offer great role playing possibility. There are abundant interactive dialogs in the game, and our choice in those dialogs affects the storyline of the game world.
The thing that interests me is that people can virtually role play any type of character in a game. Give them a mean and grumpy dwarf, they’ll play him mean and grumpy. Give them a honorable and just paladin, they’ll play him honorable and just. Give them a sadistic evil mage, they’ll play him sadistic and evil.
Now consider life. In life, people usually have an ideal character they aspire to be. However, oftenly people role play that character (which is themselves) badly. An example is doing things or making decision that they don’t really agree. Why? What’s inherently different about making decisions in RPG games and life?
(to be continued…)