Larian Studios Forums General Chat RPG Chat Games to play after BD

let's see .... *scratches jaw*

well we may have to go back to the root of the word *geez i sound like an evangelist <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> *

Role-Playing Game

since it's roleplay, u playing the role of some kind(s) of character(s). so the word character implies personality, thoughts, preferences, etc. more of a profile of a person. so that has to be there, right?

now that u have a character & traits that go with it, what about its surroundings or game world? the world must exist & populated for this character to interact, hence develop. so what else?

now we stand on a forked road, each with distinct choices & consequences. so what must we do? where do we go? what is our purpose?

very much the essence of life is purpose. which RPG should have as well. a game without purpose or goal won't be compelling. that's how i see it.

in a nutshell, which it is as i'm simplifying it a bit too much (for fear of myself being overwhelmed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" /> ), what we need for RPG;

1. character (with traits, personality, psychological profile etc)
2. world or environment (populated, variation, interactive etc)
3. purpose (story-driven, or character stats-driven, or freedom of choice to develop etc)

i'm suer there are more, but i'm trying to get down to what makes RPG 'RPG' by breaking it all down to basic elements/components.

what's your view on this, HEF? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />