Are RPG game Labels Losing Meaning? Exploring Genre Blurring

The term “RPG” (role-playing game) is increasingly ubiquitous in the gaming world, applied to titles ranging from sprawling fantasy epics to sports simulations and even farming games. This has led to questions about whether the RPG label is losing its meaning, becoming a marketing catch-all rather than a distinct genre. Is this blurring of genre lines a sign of evolution, or does it represent a fundamental confusion about what defines an RPG?

The Origins of RPGs: Balancing Systems and Player Choice

Conventional RPGs, drawing inspiration from tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, balanced intricate game systems with player agency and narrative choice. Games like *Baldur’s Gate* and early *Fallout* titles emphasized exploration, character progression, and meaningful consequences for player decisions.

However, modern RPGs often struggle to strike this balance. Some prioritize complex mechanics like skill trees and upgrade systems, while others focus on narrative and player choice, relegating mechanics to a secondary role.

Did You Know? The first computer RPG is widely considered to be “pedIT5”, created in 1974 as a PLATO system game.

Key Elements of Traditional RPGs

Classic RPGs often featured:

• Detailed character customization
• Branching dialogue options
• Faction alliances with consequences
• Meaningful player choices that shaped the game world

The Modern RPG Landscape: A Spectrum of Approaches

Today, the RPG landscape is diverse, encompassing a wide range of approaches. Some games,like *Kenshi* and *UnderRail*,prioritize intricate systems and emergent narratives driven by player interaction with game mechanics. Others, such as *Disco Elysium* and *pentiment*, emphasize player identity, dialogue choices, and emotional expression, pushing game mechanics into the background.

Pro Tip: Look beyond the “RPG” label and consider whether a game offers meaningful choices and allows you to inhabit a role within a reactive world.

The rise of “RPG Elements”

A controversial trend involves games that incorporate RPG elements like skill trees and experience points primarily to increase player retention rather than deepen immersion. Games like *Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla* and *Far Cry 6* have been criticized for borrowing superficial RPG mechanics without adding meaningful player choices.

The Blurring of Boundaries: Is It a Problem?

The increasing application of the RPG label to diverse games raises the question of whether the category has become too broad to be meaningful. However, some argue that this blurring of boundaries is a sign of evolution, reflecting the increasing integration of role-playing elements into other genres.

Games like *forza Horizon*, with its character customization, and *NBA 2K*, with its career mode, demonstrate how role-playing elements can enhance experiences outside traditional RPGs.

Examples of Genre-Bending Games

Several games defy easy categorization, blending RPG elements with other genres:

• *Animal Crossing*: Encourages players to shape their community based on their personality.
• *FTL: Faster Than Light*: Combines roguelike elements with crew management and narrative choices.
• *Dark Souls*: An action game with in-depth character customization and improvisational narrative.

The Future of RPGs: focus on Player Experience

Rather than debating whether a game should be labeled an RPG, perhaps the focus should be on whether it provides a compelling role-playing experience. The core of RPGs lies in player immersion, personal choice, and the ability to inhabit a character within a world that reacts to their actions.

As game design evolves, the most captivating rpgs may be those that don’t explicitly identify as such, but instead prioritize player agency and meaningful interaction within a dynamic world.

Comparing Key RPG Characteristics

Are genre labels ultimately helpful or limiting? How do you define a true RPG experience?

What are your favorite rpgs, and why do you consider them to be great examples of the genre? Share your thoughts in the comments below!