ROLE-PLAYING: WHAT IS IT?

Denotes any game for which character development is the main driving gameplay mechanic. Typically one or more characters are created and shaped by the player, then embark on a series of encounters that increase the inventory, wealth, or combat statistics of said character(s).

Traditional role-playing games are turn-based and in a fantasy setting, but many fit into either different settings or are real-time instead of turn-based or even a combination of real-time and turn-based.

In role-playing, participants adopt characters, or parts, that have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Role-playing is like being in an improvisational drama or free-form theatre, in which the participants are the actors who are playing parts.