Glossary and Terms

TTRPGs, or Tabletop Role-Playing Games, are a genre of games where players participate in a collaborative storytelling experience. Unlike video games, tabletop RPGs are typically played in person, around a table, although online platforms are also commonly used. The key elements of TTRPGs include:

1. Role-Playing: Players assume the roles of characters within a fictional setting. They make decisions and interact with the game world based on their character’s background, abilities, and motivations.

2. Narrative: TTRPGs are driven by a narrative, usually created and guided by a Game Master (GM) or Dungeon Master (DM). The GM/DM describes the setting, characters, and events, while players contribute to the story through their character’s actions and decisions.

3. Rules and Systems: TTRPGs often have rule systems that govern how characters interact with the game world. These rules cover things like combat mechanics, skill checks, and character progression. Popular TTRPGs include Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and many others, each with its own set of rules.

4. Dice: Random chance is often introduced through the use of dice. Players roll dice to determine the success or failure of their character’s actions, adding an element of unpredictability to the game.

5. Social Interaction: TTRPGs emphasize social interaction among players. Cooperation, negotiation, and problem-solving are important aspects of the gameplay.

6. Imagination: Unlike video games, which provide visual representations of the game world, TTRPGs rely heavily on the imagination of the players. The GM/DM describes scenes and events, and players visualize and react to these descriptions in their minds.

Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most well-known and influential TTRPGs, having been first published in the 1970s and continuing to be popular to this day. However, there is a wide variety of TTRPGs, each offering different settings, themes, and mechanics to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.