Tabletop role-playing game
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Template:RPG Tabletop role-playing games are a particular form of role-playing game. Tabletop role-playing games are played by two or more players, face to face, who use interactive storytelling to determine what their respective characters are doing. One player, generically called the gamemaster, is responsible for telling the story, presenting plotlines to the other players' characters, and determining the results of certain actions. Each system has its own name for the gamemaster's role; for example, in Dungeons & Dragons, the gamemaster is called the "Dungeon Master". The other players each control one character; these characters are called player characters, and all other characters are controlled by the gamemaster are called non-player characters.
Tabletop role-playing games receive their name from the necessity of playing on a flat surface, such as a table, like many other tabletop games. Most tabletop role-playing games require the use of dice for action resolution, and require the players to be able to read and write on the character sheets that record information pertinent to their characters. Note that not all tabletop games require either of these; a number of games use cards or other random or semi-random means of conflict resolution. A rare few tabletop role-playing games do not use any kind of character sheet or record; these games can usually be better classified as storytelling games.
Unlike live-action role-playing games, the characters' actions are not acted out by the players; they are simply related to the gamemaster by the players, and vice versa. Tabletop role-playing games generally have a much lower content of playacting or theatrics; a player is expected to present the role of their character without actually being required to act it out. Tabletop games usually do not use props, except where they might be used to interact with the players or the plot; for example, a deck of Tarot cards might be used to add to the mood of gameplay as well as suggesting additional plot twists to the gamemaster. However, some tabletop role-playing games, particularly those of a tactical bent, use miniature figures to respresent the characters; these games often resemble small-scale wargames.
Unlike computer role-playing games, there are multiple players involved who are face to face with one another; tabletop role-playing is a social activity, more so than online role-playing games.
For a list of role-playing games, including tabletop role-playing games, see list of role-playing gamesde:Pencil-and-Paper-Rollenspiel fr:Jeu de rôle ja:テーブルトークRPG zh:桌上角色扮演游戏 ru:Настольная ролевая игра