1.
role-playing game
A game genre where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting, typically involving character development, quests, and story progression.
Abbreviation of 'Role-Playing Game.' In Japanese, the full form ロールプレイングゲーム is rarely used; RPG is standard.
Types
- JRPG: Japanese RPG — typically story-driven with turn-based combat
- ARPG (アクションRPG): action RPG — real-time combat
- MMORPG: massively multiplayer online RPG
- TRPG (テーブルトークRPG): tabletop RPG — this abbreviation is unique to Japanese
Common collocations
Cultural note
Japan is renowned for RPGs. Major franchises include ドラゴンクエスト (Dragon Quest) and ファイナルファンタジー (Final Fantasy). The term JRPG is used internationally to distinguish the Japanese style from Western RPGs.