Chat roleplaying game
A chat role-playing game is a role-playing game that is played via a chat . Each participant slips into one or more game characters in order to then play out the characters' action in the chat. The plot is usually played out in real time , sometimes a little faster, sometimes a little slower. However, periods of time that are perceived as uninteresting can also be skipped (so-called time jumps). Most chat role playing takes place on IRC . As is necessary for the use of IRC special software have web chats in Web browsers and other chat clients established. The chat clients have a much larger range of functions, but must be installed on the PC.
A chat role-playing game is based on the imagination of the participants and possibly the realities of the genre in which it is set. So it is similar to reading a book , but with the difference that you can actively participate and color in it and the outcome of the story is often not yet certain. But there are also variants in which only film scenes are replayed, similar to the theater .
The plot is played out by each participant describing the plot of their role-play character in action format in many text passages. Conversations are conducted directly, as is usually the case in chat. Offtopic topics are often written strictly in square brackets to separate them from the ontopic content of the role-playing game. Often, such comments are also indicated by double brackets with round brackets. If offtopic comments are not marked as such, this can quickly lead to confusion and thus disrupt the entire role play. In order to enable a meaningful game with one another, it is important that each player only describes his own actions, intentions and reactions. If a player immediately describes the effect on other players or their reaction by describing their own action, this is referred to as power play . Power play is generally not permitted.
The description of the environment can be taken over by a game master in a chat role play. He also coordinates the players, the course of the game and, if necessary, mediates differences of opinion between them, thus taking on a moderator position. Often, however, players describe the environment independently in consultation with the game master. So-called NPCs (non-player characters) can also appear in it. These are characters who are not played, but are observed in their actions by the characters being played.
Some chat role-playing games also offer the option of creating a user profile of your character that is visible outside of the chat role-playing game, integrating graphics and simulating a dice within the chat in order to roll out the outcome of events. Some also use sound effects during the game for better background music, and set up databases of their content and rules for the game. There are many genres in which chat role playing is possible: e.g. B. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Ages, current TV series or as cybersex .
They are closely related to role-playing on forums and email; Chat role-playing games often use forums to support the game or its further development. There are therefore some chat role-playing games that also see themselves as an online community at the same time . A chat with a program that simulates an interactive environment already falls into the Multi User Dungeon (MUD) area.
Web links
- Science fiction fan RPG in the Star Trek wiki Memory Alpha