What is a tabletop roleplaying game?
Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) are a type of game where players sit around a communal area like a table and act out their characters’ actions in a fictionalized setting. It is an expression of roleplaying, mathematical calculations, and world building all wrapped into one.
Roleplaying games are one of the oldest types of games in existence. They have evolved over time and now among some of the most popular forms of entertainment around. Gone are the days of exclusive, dark basement organized sessions held in pseudo-secret. Now there are many different types of TTRPGs available, and with the outsized influence of other media such as Netflix’s Stranger Things, they are more popular than ever before.
In this section, we will explore what tabletop RPGs are and how they work. We will also look at some of the benefits that come with playing these games as well as some examples of tabletop RPG systems out there for you to try.
What are the Different Types of Tabletop RPGs?
Tabletop RPGs are a type of game that involves a group of people sitting around a table and playing the game together. It is at its core a communal experience, like all board and card games.
All TTRPGs share one common aspect: they require players to use their imagination to create characters, worlds, and scenarios. The most popular games on the market are games like Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, Warhammer, Star Wars, Call of Cthulhu, and many more. There are multiplayer and solo TTRPGs, as well as some that involve playing cards, dice, and written content like companion books.
Choosing the Right Tabletop RPG for Your Group
The best tabletop RPG for your group will depend on what type of social game you want to play, how many people you want in your campaign session, and what kind of experience you are looking for. A game master could choose to use one of the many campaigns available from the games mentioned above, or they could develop their own versions using their imaginations, or by making use of thousands of player developed items, settings, non player characters, and lore.
Tips for Creating/Organizing Your Own Tabletop RPG Game
Tabletop RPGs are a great way to socialize with friends, have fun, and get creative! So if you're looking for a new way to spend time with your friends (or make new ones), here are some tips on how to organize your own tabletop RPG game.
- Choose the type of game you want to make: Pick the setting, the story and the elements that will be involved in the story beats of your adventure.
- Decide the number of players and their roles: Some games are simply more fun with a larger group, others tend to get bogged down if it is overcrowded. Learning the character of each game is important to understand if it’ll be a good fit.
- Board and pieces: Will you use a table cover or a printed map for your campaign? Will you use printed characters, miniatures, none at all and play purely from the Theatre of your mind? These are important considerations. Pro tip: add terrain pieces for greater immersion!
- Choose an objective for the game: You can define a goal to a game, and have a final end point. One Shots can be done in a set amount of time, but campaigns can literally run for years! Decide the objective, and it’ll inform your ultimate decision.
Where to now?
The future of tabletop roleplaying games is a topic of discussion that has been on the minds of many gamers for years and years. There are many who are convinced that the popularity of this genre will only continue to grow in the coming years and this can lead to a larger player pool. However some do not welcome an expansion of the fandom, as they see fair weather players as tourists with little interest in the deeper roleplaying mechanics.
We predict that tabletop roleplaying games will be more popular than ever in the future, especially with the aggressive growth of geek culture. TTRPGs have the ability to offer a more immersive experience than video games or other board games simply because of their demands on creative participation. As the Covid pandemic recedes, one hopes that it will give way to another golden age of in-person tabletop gaming.
Want to equip yourself?
If you’re looking for TTRPG accessories to fancy up your campaign table, take a look at our available accessories and merch! We try our hardest to provide you with TTRPG and Geek related stuff.
Excelsior!
12PDeny
