RPG Terminology

[racketboy]

I'd like to make a list of terminology/concepts used by RPG geeks that could be helpful to those that are new to the genre.

So if you could list a term and a definition for it, that would be awesome.
Once we get enough, I hope to publish it on the main part of the site.

[Peffico]

Are we talking video game terminology or something like DnD or both? Well anyways I will go with video game terminology. And just go through the types or rpgs.

M.M.O.R.P.G.- Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game- An rpg which you play online with other people around a network. Popular MMORPGS inlcude; World of Warcraft, Everquest, and City of heroes.

J.R.P.G.- Japanese Role Playing Game- An rpg originally made in Japan. Usually released on consoles and deal with eastern folklore, literature, and history. Popular JRPGS include; Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Megami Tensei.

Western R.P.G.S- An rpg orginally made in North America or Europe. Usually released on P.C. engines and deal with dark fantasy and science fiction. Popular western rpgs include; The Elder Scrolls, Baulder's Gate, and Knights of the Old Republic.

Ehh I really can't think on how gameplay differs right now my brain is mush but that should be a good start.

[glynnahab]

EXP, HP, and MP are on the list, right?

[kgcarini]

s.r.p.g. - strategy role playing game

a.r.p.g. - action role playing game

[disorderlyvision]

to add to the jrpg, they are typically turn based, and involve random encounters. note i said typically. i know there are exceptions.

grind/level grind - spending a great deal of time leveling your characters up

npc - non playable character, usually people that you can talk to for hints, or storyline, but they can't be used as a playable character.

random encounter/random battle - you cant see the enemies on the screen when walking around you just randomly get placed in battle.

the other person didnt give definitions, even though i am sure most people know them:

exp - experience gained from fighting typically levels the character up, but occasionally can be used to level up weapons and magic

hp - hit points aka life. lose all your hp and its game over

mp - magic points. used to cast spells/magic. different spells require different amounts of mp to cast. obviously stronger more dmaging spells cost more mp to cast.

[glynnahab]

the other person didnt give definitions, even though i am sure most people know them:

I didn't give definitions because it was unnecessary, and I assumed that EXP, HP, etc. were probably the first thing that he put on the list.

Thanks for clearing things up, though.

[General Chaos]

There are some terms specific to games and subgenres of RPGs as well. Some of these are not limited to the RPG genre, however.

In MMOs you've got:

PK. Player Kill(er)

KOS/SOS. Acronyms for “kill on sight” and “steal on sight”

Mule. A term used to refer to a character that is used only for producing in-game items or performing a very select task that is usually considered mundane.

PVP. An acronym for “player versus player”: a concept referring to combat between human controlled characters within the game.

Rez. Short for “resurrect”, a process of reviving a dead character.

Rez killing. A term referring to the killing of a character immediately after he or she has been revived.

Spawn. A specified area within the game world where monsters, items, and/or resources may be generated on a schedule.

Camp. Staying in one location in order to exploit a specific creature or item spawn.

Farm. Similar to camping and grinding, may be used in conjunction with "gold-" (farming) to refer to gameplay focused on harvesting as much gold as possible from a specific activity.

Loot. Treasure obtained from monsters.

Loot Run/ EXP Run. Play throughs (either alone or together with other players locally or online) aimed specifically at either killing numerous NPCs for EXP or targeting specific locations or monsters known to yield high level loot.

Some general terms I can think of:

EQ. Equipment

Stats (DEX/STR/AGI/STAM/INT/WIS/CONST/WILL/CHRM...and several others). Respectively, dexterity, strength, stamina, intelligence, constitution, will power, charm.

Class. A type of character.

Job. In some games refers to class and may encompass a specific skill set (e.g. some in the FF series).

______

Of course there are many others, but for now this will be my contribution.

[GSZX1337]

Here's a humorous definition for DPS

[disorderlyvision]

the other person didnt give definitions, even though i am sure most people know them:

I didn't give definitions because it was unnecessary, and I assumed that EXP, HP, etc. were probably the first thing that he put on the list.

Thanks for clearing things up, though.

i said most everyone probably know what they mean, but he is creating the guide for new players. ask a 60 year old lady at wall mart what hp is.

[General Chaos]

the other person didnt give definitions, even though i am sure most people know them:

I didn't give definitions because it was unnecessary, and I assumed that EXP, HP, etc. were probably the first thing that he put on the list.

Thanks for clearing things up, though.

i said most everyone probably know what they mean, but he is creating the guide for new players. ask a 60 year old lady at wall mart what hp is.

"hepatitis..."