Roleplaying

Old faithful Wikipedia says this about Roleplaying:

 ”A role-playing game (RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development. Actions taken within the game succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines.”

Thanks Wikipedia. Now, let’s look at the bit I’m focused on…’assume the roles’. In by playing both MMO’s and Tabletop, we are playing a role, within a framework of rules that constrain our actions and freedoms to what is accepted, or what is ‘fair’. We accept that, and work with what we have.

Now, think about the last quest you did…what was your motivation? Did you HAVE motivation?

Ah yes, the shiny loot, gold or rep…yes yes, but really?! You agreed to get on a flying mythical beast, which could clearly swallow you in one bite, fly to some dangerous part of the land, slay untold quantities of dangerous monsties…likely gutting them open for their spleens, which you pop gleefully into your backpack. You’ll then return on the afore-mentioned flying deathtrap for some likely useless gear, you’ll choose based on vendor price and almost but not quite enough gold to buy a haircut?

All of your ‘characters’ do the same, don’t they?

“But”, I hear you cry, “if I don’t do the quest I can’t progress!” I know…I know. Do you remember Neverwinter nights, or more recently Fable, by any chance? Where your actions changed people’s reactions to you, and your alignment? Consequentially, the rich rewards sometimes had a price you didn’t want to pay…

 Can an MMO go to this cause / effect paradise, usually the preserve of the single player game? If it can, do we want it to? I don’t know.

Given the in-game choice of kill small fluffy animal: receive purples, save small fluffy animal: receive a warm feeling…are you sure your ‘good guy’ would stay on the path?

Maybe this game exists, and I just don’t play it?