Role-playing game

:This article is about traditional role-playing games. See computer role-playing games for their digital counterparts.

Genres

Role-playing games can also be divided into genres by the fictional setting where they take place.

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Fantasy role-playing games draw their inspiration from fantasy literature, such as the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. The setting in these games is usually a world with a level of technology similar to that in Europe sometime between years 800-1400. Fantasy elements include magic and supernatural creatures, such as dragons. The genre can be subdivided into high fantasy where supernatural events are commonplace, and low fantasy where there are little or no supernatural aspects.

Related Topics:
Fantasy literature - J. R. R. Tolkien - Europe - Magic - Dragon - High fantasy - Low fantasy

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SF role-playing or sci-fi role-playing games are inspired by science fiction literature. The setting is generally in the future, sometimes near future but also quite often in the far future. Common elements involve futuristic technology, contact with alien life forms, experimental societies, and space travel. Psionic abilities (i.e. ESP and telekinesis) often take the place of magic. The genre can be divided similarly with science fiction literature into sub-genres, such as cyberpunk or space opera.

Related Topics:
Science fiction - ESP - Telekinesis - Cyberpunk - Space opera

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Historical games take place in the past. Settings that have been explored in role-playing games include Maya civilization, Ancient Rome, and Victorian era.

Related Topics:
Maya civilization - Ancient Rome - Victorian era

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Horror games take their inspiration from horror literature. Horror Roleplaying can be divided into two major groups. The first is inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft, focussing on humanity's fight against malevolent, extra-dimensional entities. The second focusses on playing supernatural creatures, mostly preying on humanity, such as the books of Anne Rice. The setting in these games is often contemporary or from the 19th or 20th century. Creating the correct mood and suspense is important in these games.

Related Topics:
Horror literature - H. P. Lovecraft - Anne Rice

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Several games combine different genres. Ars Magica can be considered a fantasy role-playing game in a historical setting, Shadowrun combines cyberpunk with fantasy elements whereas steam punk games combine elements of science fiction with history. There also exist games unique enough that they do not fit comfortably into easily-defined genres, but these are rare.

Related Topics:
Ars Magica - Shadowrun - Cyberpunk - Steam punk - Science fiction

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