Role-playing game system
An RPG system (also often called simply the context System) is a framework for an RPG. It is the task of role-playing game system to give players a framework for a regulated process.
Most systems use the game cube and / or playing cards as a random component in the evaluation of whether an action is successful or unsuccessful recordings and what effect the action. Frequently still comes a comparison added with one or more situation- dependent tables that interpret the random component for each situation. Other systems are governed solely by the rhetorical reasoning and creativity of players.
Formation
The rules developed from the simulation of historical battles, where was searched for ways properties of the soldiers involved (eg, experience, special skills, fatigue ) to simulate. Later on, these systems have been developed and transmitted mainly in fantasy worlds, to allow the other players ( role players ) to determine properties of their characters and display (see: Pen -and- paper role-playing game: story).
During the role-play systems have been developed in its early days only and until today mainly for the direct interaction of players (see pen -and- paper role-playing game, live role-playing ), they were later adapted for so-called solo adventure or computer role-playing games.
Content
RPG systems are often very extensive and may include several books. You must be mainly dominated by the GM, as it is his task to ensure the correct implementation of the rules.
Character Creation
A role-playing game character ( and player character or short SC) is the figure that is represented by a player during a role-playing game. These figures typically have characteristics ( innate and learned ). There are different approaches to this scheme as the game characters are created for the other game:
- Random - in this case the properties of the figure are determined based on dice and / or cards with the aid of tables random
- Distribution of points - in this case, the player receives a predetermined number of points that are distributed according to the rules on the various properties and then by means of tables to be converted to values.
Many role-playing game systems also use a mixture of both options by certain properties are subject to random, while others are determined by points distribution.
The character creation usually involves a number of largely innate abilities (often called in the game context attributes ), and a number of skills learned. Innate skills are often a few basic physical and mental properties (usually 4-10 different, for example, starch, skill, intelligence, etc. ), while the skills usually contains a large number of more or less easy to learn features.
The selection of attributes and skills is usually influenced by a range of options, such as Race, ethnicity, class or caste. The RPG system now defines how these various properties are interdependent and influence each other. Conditionally, depending on the system, the choice of a particular property, the choice for one or more others.
Interaction with the game world
Furthermore, are the role-play system before as the characters with their environment ( the game world ) can interact with, like by battle, hearing, physical or mental exertion, whether it is possible to work magic to use certain technical devices or develop, etc.
In each of these interactions (usually referred to simply as an action or action ) must be determined, what are the consequences the act. Depending on the system, there are also approaches to random, told or calculated determination - often a mix of these approaches. Here, too, dice or cards and tables in a fully or partially random assigned to operate.
Development of figures
In most cases, role-playing game systems also give before the conditions under which the skills and / or skills of characters, it is allowed to change (usually improve ) in which a part of the reward for a successful game is seen. Again, there are approaches with random factor (eg Call of Cthulhu (RPG) ), but most systems give here a scheme for the distribution of points or just a table for the points accumulated before.
Is then determined by how much to change the properties on the basis of rules.
The game world
In most cases, the RPG system also includes the game world ( laws of nature, people, countries, available technology, magic, gods, etc.). In these cases, the game world and system are closely linked and can not be clearly separated. But in the system specific places and storylines in very few cases are proposed ( campaigns). There are also so-called Universal schemes that are applicable to various game worlds and thus make no specification for the game world by definition.
Control priorities in game systems
Different systems weight different aspects of the game in different ways, which manifests itself through the rules on these aspects. In most cases, the areas of a role-playing game rules are elaborated finest, the most emphasis during the game. Often this means that in these areas is the most severe regulation or circumference richest.
Well-known role-playing game systems
→ Main article: List of pen -and- paper role-playing games
Own role-playing game systems
In many playgroups the rules of a system adapted to the requirements of the group. This is done in part by interpretation of the rules by the game master, the other by agreement of new or modified rules. From this practice can develop completely own role playing systems, which differ significantly in terms of both the rules and the game world from the starting game over the course of time. Some of these systems are eventually released and form new standards for other groups of players. A collection of free roleplaying games that are almost all produced in this way, the project offers Odyssey.