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Evolution of Role Playing Games

Role playing games originated from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and early computer RPGs. RPGs involve playing a character that evolves and improves abilities through quests in fantasy or medieval settings. RPG structures include character types, hierarchies of skills and equipment, and long, medium and short term goals for quests, leveling up, and earning experience.

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91 views8 pages

Evolution of Role Playing Games

Role playing games originated from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and early computer RPGs. RPGs involve playing a character that evolves and improves abilities through quests in fantasy or medieval settings. RPG structures include character types, hierarchies of skills and equipment, and long, medium and short term goals for quests, leveling up, and earning experience.

Uploaded by

jhayvincedump
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Role Playing Games: RPG

John Laird and Sugih Jamin


University of Michigan
Origins
• Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
• Computer RPGs built the entire computer gaming market
- franchises like Wizardry, Ultima, Might and Magic, the
Gold Box AD&D and Dungeon Master were the killer
apps from the days of yore
• Examples:
• Baldur’s Gate, Final Fantasy, Ultima, Might and
Magic, Dungeon Keeper
• Everquest, Ultima Online, Asherson’s Call
Setting
• Epic quests and fantasy/medieval worlds with NPCs –
often part of a group/team
• There are many different ways to build a RPG - Metal
Gear Solid, Deus Ex, Diablo, Baldur's Gate,
EverQuest, Neverwinter Nights, and Silent Hill are all
RPGs, but different types of RPGs
Defining Character
• At its simplest, an RPG includes a character with whom
you identify
• In RPGs your character evolves, improves – its abilities
progress and develop during the course of the game based
on your efforts (of course RPGs also include a deep and
immersive storyline)
• Compared to FPS:
• Your ability to win the game depends on evolving the capability
of your character, not on evolving your physical skills at playing
the game
• Compared to adventure games:
• Character development and action oriented, less
emphasis on complex puzzles
Structure
• Characters with different capabilities (and potentials)
• Fighters
• Sword (Paladin)
• Axe (Barbarian)
• Bow (Amazon)
• Stealth characters: thieves, assassins, ninjas
• Magic users: sorcerers, wizards, ….
• Life, Creature, War Magic
• Animal, Death, Elemental

• Hierarchy of skills
• Hierarchy of weapons, spells
• Increasing difficulty of monsters
Long-Term Goal [40 hours]
• Quest – provides story
• Kill the devil
• Take over land
• Rescue somebody
Medium-Term Goals [1-10 hours]
• Subquest – chapter
• Kill X
• Find Y
• Levels
• Build up character skill [Experience]
• Skill hierarchies
• Force choices to specialize?

• Get better weapons and armor [$$]


• Limited storage
• Magic systems
Short-term Goals
Earn experience points to spend on improving your
character’s skills, attributes, and spells:
• Combat gives experience & $$
• Treasure gives $$
• Exploration

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