I saw the story where VGChartz named its GOtY in each genre. I couldn't help but notice something that I think is mis-classified, it's Demon's Souls. I think that game is a WRPG, and I'll explain why, here goes:

JRPG is the proper name for a genre, and not a descriptive word. It is in no way a statement on which country the developers were in, physically, when a game was developed, nor is it a statement on the developers ethnicity.

This is made even more apparent, by the fact that it is listed(in the VGChartz GotY section) alongside many other genres(not descriptive words or phrases), none of which are indications of geographical location.

A genre is(quick google search):

"a class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a characteristic form or technique"

furthermore:

"Video game genres are used to categorize video games based on their gameplay interaction rather than visual or narrative differences. A video game genre is defined by a set of gameplay challenges."

Thus, Demon Soul's, which admittedly, has many more gameplay commonalities with the WRPG genre(anyone disagree?), is not only miscategorized, it actually won in the JRPG genre, which is not only completely unfair to the JRPG genre itself(imo), but it also surprises me that we let end up in first place(I'm sure this has been argued many times before this thread, but I'm not sure if anyone on my side has actually comprised their ideas into a cohesive argument like I'm doing now).

The reason that the game got miscategorized is simple. The name of the genre. The name of the genre "Japanese Role Playing Game" seems to imply that a game was made in Japan, or by Japanese people, but that's not true. "Japanese Role Playing Game" is not a common phrase made up of interconnected words used to describe something, but instead, it is a proper descriptive phrase, by which a genre is described. You could easily replace it with the words "Red Baby Sheet" and it would suffice.

You know when you find a new species and get to name it? When you name it, you might name it after yourself. However, that is just a name used to describe it. The name is not a descriptive, even if you mean to use it as one. A proper name only has meaning in relation to what it is labeling. A "Frank" does not look frank. A "John" does not look john, nor does he live in, come from, or smell like john. Those are simply words we call the objects. The words in the phrase "Japanese-Role-Playing-Game" are not meant to describe the genres content, but simply to lable that genre for easy reference when used as a proper phrase that lables a genre. JRPG is not words. It is not meaning. It is a lable for a certain videogame genre. That is confusing, and causes misunderstandings.

We would never make this mistake if the genre were called "PQRS." If all jrpgs were called "PQRS games" then there would be no misunderstanding. Platformers are not called "Northerneasternly Created Jumping Games" by mere fate. The proper genres(sub-genres really) JRPG and WRPG are unfortunately named. If a game is Fallout 3, it will still be Fallout 3, no matter where it is made, or by whom, and it will still be in the same genre that it is in right now because the game is the game. It does not matter who made it, or where physically, it was made.

...a rose by any other name....

By the logic used to describe Demon's Souls as a JRPG on this website, we're must assume that Ubisoft can never make a JRPG, and that no one who isn't Japanese can be on the development team(news to Ubisoft, who have shown an interest in the genre). Also, Japanese people DO NOT have the ability to make a WRPG in Japan. WRPGs must be made at least 1 foot away from the country of Japan, or we must reclassify them, and gameplay or content be damned.

Thing is, GENRE is determined by GAMEPLAY(see the definition), and NOT "location of developers" or "nationality of developers" or "nationality of publishers" or "locilzation quality" oh no. Gameplay, and ONLY gameplay, as described above, is how genres are, and shall ever be classified in videogames.

There is no evidence(opinion or otherwise, that I've read) apparent in the gameplay of Demon's Souls that would actually relate it to the JRPG genre, since the game obviously draws heavy influence from WRPGs, and the game King's Field, which is also not a JRPG(would you also argue that??)

Now, I have no doubt that many other websites also counted Demon's Souls amongst this year's JRPG offerings. Those other sites, however, are just as wrong as our GotY story is, imho. Those other sites don't have any more knowledge about the subject than we do, and you certainly shouldn't use their examples as justification for posting what I believe, is a fallacy of categorization, and genre definition, from a site that is famous for its genius level blogs, and exceptionally intelligent forum community.

The reason I started posting here is because this site really is a step above in gaming and general knowledge, compared to nearly every review based website community that revolves around gaming. Just...next year, take a closer look at the genres, or let me know that I've missed something in my opinions I've just stated. Hell, maybe some of you believe that Demon's Souls has gameplay more closely related to a JRPG than a WRPG, in which case, you would have a valid argument, but after completing the game very recently, I think it's very hard to argue that.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. Hope you guys don't get defensive over this, it's just my opinion on the GotY story I just read. I have no doubt that this might ruffle some feathers. People love Demon's Souls, it's a great game, and they certainly want it to win a few awards this year, but giving it JRPG of the year, is like giving it platformer of the year. It's wrong, imho, and it's not fair to actual JRPG games.

Thanks for reading, no flaming.

Edit: I'd also like to comment on those who believe Demon's Souls is either a hybrid, or a game that isn't easily classifiable as a WRPG or JRPG. I don't really believe the game is anything but a pure WRPG, but that said: Why then, is the game defaultly classified as a JRPG. Why not a flip a coin, or put it in the running for both genres, at least. Uncharted 2 won in multiple genres when it was in the same scenerio, so was Demon's Souls also up for "Best WRPG"? It should have been. I'm not sure if it was, but I doubt it. Also, what gameplay challenges were presented that made this game seem at all like a JRPG? Even the menu system was based on WRPGs. Demon's Souls, imho, has nothing of the JRPG apparent in it at all in terms of gameplay or challenges.

I agree. It raised an eyebrow for me too.

So in other words Demon's Souls is WRPG of the Year at VGChartz?

Or better yet RPG of the Year? O_o

I agree, though I only read the first few lines.

(I had seen the Overall GotY article and thought the same thing)

exactly my point Zen.

Couldn't agree more.

Pfft. It's still Dragon Age!

I guess that means it is the RPG of the Year O.o

well here's a counter argument. Demon's Souls has more in common with Kingdom Hearts than any wRPG. It's an action RPG with a linear story, a central hub, several worlds you visit with their own backgrounds and stories. Unlike your common wRPG there is minimal power over the story with really only a major choice near the end and there is no conversation system.

edit: furthermore, the combat system that is all about melee combat and locking onto your adversaries has more in common with Zelda than a wRPG.

I also agree actually.

Though I also think the terms JRPG and WRPG are stupid.

Well, I haven't played the game yet, however I can assure you the GameStop gift cards I got for Xmas are being saved towards purchasing that game.

That said, you make a very valid argument. From what I've seen of the game - again, not having played it - I would have to agree.