Role-playing games, since the Internet first became popular and accessible, have been quickly migrating from pen and paper to online communities.
In this online age, role-playing games (RPGs) have been evolving and expanding into completely new horizons.
An online RPG usually takes place in a forum, chatroom or with the use of an instant messaging program, and at least four distinct types have emerged. The faithful statistics formulas of pen and paper role-playing games still exist, primarily in turn-based rounds played on message boards. Pre-set statistics such as the basic Dungeons and Dragons ones are used, or an entirely new genre is created with a workable formula. Online dice-rollers are available to ensure fair play, or the other players may take their companions at their word. To play this type of RPG one creates a character with limited chosen attributes and statistics (such as Strength, Wisdom, Agility and so on) based on the rolls of the die at the beginning of the game. They may be ongoing (known as a "campaign") or singular adventures. You would inform the other players what moves your character is making via a chat program or message board, often in real-time, and they would respond with their own actions. The GM (Game Master) directs the overall plot and guides the characters into battles and situations.
A second type of online RPG has surfaced via real-time instant messengers, though it has yet to gain significant popularity. These battle-style games are usually based on what is known as a "fandom"--in other words, a television show, movie or video game featuring characters that fight one another. Each player takes on the guise of a character and two or more engage in a mock battle, the winner of which is determined by the speed with which they attack and the offense used. Rules stating that a character must "power up" a certain number of times (either by typing *power up* or an alternative method) before using an attack may be in place, and this type is real-time rather than turn-based. Such battles are over fairly quickly and a win will usually add to the player's overall "power level".
A third type of online RPG which is gaining popularity, and for good reason, is the story-based game. It it also usually based on a fandom (and is primarily found in television, video game and Japanese animation communities) and consists of constructing a large story on a forum, club or other archivable website. Each player chooses a character (either existing, or created by them) with a background history and personality. They then direct the actions of that character in the story. Off-topic posts are marked by heading a message with "OOC" (out of character) and the story is resumed by added "IC" (in character), so that a community may be built around the roleplay. This style was fairly nonexistent before the Internet, but has now cemented itself as a viable type of RPG. It are particularly notable for often lacking a Game Master, as all players may choose the direction in which the story takes.
The last type is the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, commonly abbreviated as "MMOPRG". This type uses computer game clients rather than writing, and can basically be explained as an online video game. The player purchases the program and creates a character using it, and the character is then placed in the gameworld. The player can travel alone, in a party, or join a guild. The game may provide quests and other activities such as sieges and raids on guild strongholds. Although MMORPGs are closer to video games than the pen and paper RPGs of old, characters interact through an online community.
The RPG continues to branch out into new areas, allowing players to connect with those of similar interests, no matter how far away they are. It seems likely that this hobby will continue to grow and change as the Internet evolves.
