Live-action role play (LARP) is a type of game where players physically act out their characters' actions and decisions in real-world settings, often using costumes and props. Players typically follow a set of rules that guide how characters interact with each other and the environment. LARPing became popular in the 1970s and has grown into a community-based activity where participants can engage in fantasy, historical, or science fiction-themed adventures. Success in LARP depends on creativity, acting skills, and the ability to stay in character while working with others to achieve goals or complete challenges.

What is "live-action role play"?

live-action role play

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A tabletop role-playing game (RPG) is a type of game where players assume the roles of characters and tell a story through conversation and dice rolls. The game is usually guided by a "game master" who describes the setting and controls non-player characters, while the players make decisions for their own characters. Tabletop RPGs became popular in the 1970s with games like "Dungeons & Dragons." The game is played on a table with paper, pencils, dice, and sometimes maps. Success depends on imagination, problem-solving, and collaboration with other players to navigate the game's challenges.

What is a "tabletop role-playing game"?

tabletop role-playing game

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A campaign setting is a fictional world or environment created for use in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). It provides the backdrop for the story, including details about the land, cultures, history, and rules that shape the world. Campaign settings can be used by the game master to guide the adventure, while players interact with the world through their characters. These settings became popular in RPGs like "Dungeons & Dragons," which features different settings like "Forgotten Realms" or "Eberron." Success in a campaign depends on how well players and the game master collaborate to explore and experience the world’s stories and challenges.

What is a "campaign setting"?

campaign setting

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The threefold model is a framework used in role-playing games (RPGs) to describe the three key aspects of gameplay: exploration, interaction, and combat. Exploration refers to discovering the game world, solving puzzles, and uncovering secrets. Interaction focuses on the relationships between characters, including dialogue, negotiation, and decision-making. Combat involves fighting enemies or overcoming physical challenges using skills, tactics, and strategies. The threefold model helps game masters and players balance these elements to create a rich and engaging experience in the game. Success in a game often depends on how well each aspect is balanced during play.

What is the "threefold model"?

threefold model

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A game master (GM) is the person who guides and oversees the gameplay in role-playing games (RPGs). The GM creates the story, describes the world, controls non-player characters (NPCs), and presents challenges for the players. In tabletop RPGs, the GM sets the scene, responds to players' actions, and ensures the rules are followed. The role of the GM is to keep the game flowing smoothly and make decisions based on the players' choices and the game world. Success in this role requires creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to engage and guide the players through the adventure.

Who is a "game master"?

game master

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Armor class (AC) is a value used in role-playing games (RPGs) to measure how difficult it is for enemies to land a successful attack on a character. It is influenced by factors such as the character's armor, shields, and other protective equipment. A higher AC means it is harder for an opponent to hit the character. In games like "Dungeons & Dragons," when an enemy attacks, the attacker rolls a die, usually a 20-sided die, and compares the result to the character's AC. If the result meets or exceeds the AC, the attack is successful. AC plays a key role in determining how well a character can avoid damage.

What is "armor class"?

armor class

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A character sheet is a document used in role-playing games (RPGs) to record all the important details about a player's character. It includes information such as the character's name, abilities, skills, inventory, and backstory, as well as their health, armor class, and any special traits or powers. The sheet serves as a reference during gameplay, helping players track their character’s progress and actions. In games like "Dungeons & Dragons," a character sheet is essential for managing a character’s stats and making decisions based on the game’s rules.

What is a "character sheet"?

character sheet

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Metagaming refers to using knowledge or strategies from outside the game world to influence in-game decisions. This can include a player using information about the game’s rules, the game master’s plans, or the story that their character would not realistically know. In role-playing games (RPGs), metagaming is often discouraged because it can disrupt the role-playing experience and take away from the immersion. The focus is meant to be on the character’s knowledge and decisions, not the player's real-world understanding of the game.

What is "metagaming"?

metagaming

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A saving throw is a type of roll in role-playing games (RPGs) used to determine if a character can resist or avoid harmful effects, such as magic spells, poison, or traps. The player rolls a die, often a 20-sided die, and compares the result to a target number determined by the game’s rules or the difficulty of the effect. If the result meets or exceeds the target number, the character succeeds in avoiding or reducing the effect. Saving throws are important for managing risks and protecting characters from dangerous situations.

What is a "saving throw"?

saving throw

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A game mechanic is a rule or system that defines how a game functions and how players interact with it. These mechanics govern things like movement, combat, resource management, and how players progress through the game. For example, in a role-playing game, the mechanic might include rolling dice to determine the outcome of actions, or in a platformer, it could involve jumping to avoid obstacles. Game mechanics are essential for shaping the overall experience, making the game challenging and enjoyable by providing structure and goals for the players to achieve.

What is a "game mechanic"?

game mechanic

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A troupe system is a way of organizing gameplay in role-playing games (RPGs) where multiple players share control over different characters during the same campaign. Instead of each player focusing on a single character, players take turns playing different characters, often switching between them throughout the story. This system allows for more variety and creativity, as players can explore different roles and experiences. The troupe system is commonly used in games where characters might be part of a larger group or community, and the story can benefit from having multiple perspectives.

What is a "troupe system"?

troupe system

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An attribute is a characteristic or quality of a character in a role-playing game (RPG) that defines their basic abilities or traits. Common attributes include strength, intelligence, dexterity, charisma, and constitution, each representing different aspects of a character’s skills or physical and mental capabilities. These attributes influence how well a character performs in various tasks, such as fighting, solving puzzles, or interacting with others. In RPGs, the values of these attributes are often used in dice rolls or calculations to determine the outcome of actions.

What is an "attribute"?

attribute

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party

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Hit point (HP) refers to a character’s health or life force in a role-playing game (RPG). It represents how much damage a character can take before becoming unconscious or defeated. Characters start with a set number of HP, which can increase with experience or through special items. As characters take damage from enemies or other sources, their HP decreases. If a character's HP reaches zero, they may be knocked out, killed, or need healing to recover. Managing HP is crucial for survival during battles and other dangerous situations.

What is "hit point"?

hit point

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Health in a game refers to a character's overall well-being or ability to withstand damage. It is often represented by hit points (HP), which measure how much harm a character can take before being knocked out or defeated. Health can be affected by factors like injuries, poison, or magic, and it can be restored through healing spells, potions, or resting. Maintaining good health is important for surviving challenges and completing quests, as characters with low health are at greater risk of being defeated in combat or other dangerous situations.

What is "health"?

health

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Actual play refers to recordings or live streams of role-playing game (RPG) sessions where players and the game master (GM) interact and play the game. These recordings can be audio, video, or text-based and are shared with an audience for entertainment, learning, or community engagement. Actual play sessions allow viewers to see how the game is played, how players interact with the game world and each other, and how the story unfolds. They have become popular in recent years, with many RPG podcasts and streams, such as those from "Critical Role" or "The Adventure Zone," attracting large audiences.

What is "actual play"?

actual play

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Gamist-narrativist-simulationist theory (GNS theory) is a framework used to categorize different play styles in role-playing games (RPGs). In this theory, gamists focus on overcoming challenges and achieving goals through strategy and competition, while narrativists prioritize storytelling, exploring characters and plot developments in a collaborative narrative. Simulationists, on the other hand, enjoy immersive experiences that emphasize realism and consistency within the game world. Each style represents different motivations for playing, helping to explain why players enjoy RPGs in various ways, from strategic thinking to character-driven stories or realistic world-building.

gamist-narrativist-simulationist theory

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A campaign in games refers to a series of linked levels, missions, or challenges that form part of a larger game experience. In single-player or multiplayer games, a campaign often includes a main storyline or set of objectives that players must complete in a specific order. This can be found in various genres, from action games to strategy games. Campaigns are typically designed to provide players with a progressive and immersive experience, with increasing difficulty, new content, and story development as the game advances. Completion of the campaign usually leads to a conclusion or final challenge.

What is a "campaign"?

campaign

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Here you will learn some English words related to role-playing game terms such as "gamemaster", "armor class", and "troupe system".

English Words for "Role-Playing Game Terms"