Mnementh said:
What is the RPG-element? Roleplaying means, that the player creates and develops a character while he plays. So the basic idea behind roleplaying is a self-created character. That said, there exists JRPGs and WRPGs with self-created characters and it exists also JRPGs and WRPGs without self-created characters. So that really is no point to make a difference between the two. |
Well, that is one possible definition of roleplaying.
Think about theatres and dramas. Lets think about something like "Romeo and Juliet". This is a drama wtih set roles. The spectator is meant to see the play through the eyes of the various roles/characters. You should not limit yourself to one single character who is your hero... you should try to see the dilemma from different points of view to see its whole scope. If you play the role of Romeo you are not suspected to act "as you like" or develop your character in your personal way. You are meant to understand romeos part of the play, his background, his feelings, etc.
That would be my point of view of roleplaying. Each character is important and the characters are there for a reason. So the roleplaying aspect is that I try to understand the role of each character in a game, thinking about his motivations and reasonings. A great RPG is built around a moral dilemma and after you have finished the story you have something to think about.
