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{{Roles}}
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In '''roleplaying''', participants adopt and act out the [[role]] of characters, or parts, that may have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Roleplaying, also known as ''RP'' to some, is like being in an improvisational drama or free-form theater, in which the participants are the actors who are playing parts, and the audience.
   
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People use the phrase "role-playing" in at least three distinct ways:
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In '''role-playing''', participants adopt characters, or parts, that have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Role-playing is like being in an [[improvisation]]al drama or free-form [[theatre]], in which the participants are the [[actor|actors]] who are playing parts.
  
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*to refer to the playing of roles generally such as in a theater, or educational setting;
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*to refer to a wide range of games including [[computer role-playing games]], [[play-by-mail game]]s and more;
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*or to refer specifically to [[role-playing games]].<ref>Andrew Rilstone, "Role-Playing Games: An Overview" 1994, Inter*Action #1 at http://www.rpg.net/oracle/essays/rpgoverview.html </ref>
   
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===Role-playing games===
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== For learning and therapy ==
  
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{{main|Role-playing game}}
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A role-playing game is a [[game]] in which the participants assume the roles of [[fictional character|characters]] and collaboratively create [[narrative|stories]]. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their [[characterization]], and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal [[role-playing game system|system]] of rules and guidelines. Within the rules, they may [[improvisation|improvise]] freely; their choices shape the direction and outcome of the games.
   
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There are many different types of role-playing games (RPGs). Many, and particularly those that came first, are centered around characters being created in fantasy universes. Of particular note is the advent of such games as Dungeons and Dragons in the 1970's, invented and propagated originally by Gary Gygax and David Arneson. Many different versions of this game were developed, and other types of games were spun-off from this original template, causing what was first developed as a hobby to become a multi-million dollar business venture.
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Simulations and role-playing exercises are one of the oldest of educational methods, having been used in ancient times and from young age. (Young children role play "doctor" and "nurse", "customers" and "shop owners" etc.) They have been used extensively in vocational training situations and in vocation-oriented higher-education courses (e.g. Law, Medicine, Economics) since the 1960s.
  
   
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==Role playing in educational settings==
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Role-play simulations fall into the category of [[multi-agenda social-process simulations]]. In such simulations, "participants assume individual roles in a hypothesised social group and experience the complexity of establishing and implementing particular goals within the fabric established by the system". (see Gredler, M. (1992), ''Designing and Evaluating Games and Simulations: A Process Approach'', Kogan Page, London)
  
   
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Since the 1950s, role play simulation has been used in politics and international relations contexts, including model [http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/munda/ United Nations simulations]. For example, [http://www.icons.umd.edu/ Project ICONS] and [http://www.fablusi.com Fablusi role play simulations] allow role play simulation designers to model human relationships using different rights structures in communication environments, differential information and amount of wealth.
  
   
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==Sexual role-playing==
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==The clinical uses of role playing==
   
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[[Sexual role-play]] is a form of role-play in which partners take parts in a drama that provides sexual gratification; these might include a [[teacher]] and [[pupil]], [[employer]] and [[maid]], or [[parent]] and [[child]]. Sexual role-play is common in [[BDSM]], and is integral to most pseudonymous or anonymous [[cybersex]] or [[Cybering]].
  
   
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== Role-playing games ==
  
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: ''Main article: [[Role-playing game]]''
  
   
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A [[role-playing game]] (RPG) is a type of [[game]] where players role-play by assuming the role of a character in a fictional story. Its origin is in miniature [[wargames]], with rules for individual [[combat]] and the use of [[Magic (gaming) | magic]] spells in fighting, hence the focus of many [[role-playing game]]s on [[combat]] and on the [[medieval]]-period [[fantasy]] genre.
  
   
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==Sexual roleplaying==
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The term "role-playing game" originates among traditional [[tabletop role-playing game]]s (also called "pencil and paper" (P&P or PnP) role-playing games) like ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', ''[[RuneQuest]]'' or the multi-genre ''[[GURPS]]''. However, role-playing is also a genre of [[computer and video games]] like the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', ''[[Ultima]]'' and ''[[Deus Ex]]'' series. These games are differentiated from tabletop games by the terms [[computer role-playing game]] or, more rarely, [[console role-playing game]] (both referred to by the initialism 'CRPG'). More specifically, it also covers the massively multi-player online role-playing games ([[MMORPG]]s) like ''[[EverQuest]]'', ''[[Ultima Online]]'', ''[[Ryzom]]'', ''[[EVE Online]]'' and ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.
  
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{{Main|Sexual roleplay}}
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A form of roleplaying in which partners take parts in a drama that provides sexual gratification; these might include a teacher and pupil, or employer and maid. Sexual roleplaying is common in [[BDSM]], and is integral to most pseudonymous or anonymous forms of [[cybersex]].
   
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===Sexual roleplaying in online games===
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Many role-playing games do not focus on playing the actual persona of the character, only on their role in the game as determined by their statistics or other numerical or situational characteristics. In general, it is only mandatory to remain [[in character]] in the more rigorously enforced tabletop and online role-playing games. People who choose to remain in character in such games are often called "roleplayers"; in tabletop role-playing games, people who do not act in character are variously called "roll-players", "hack-and-slashers", or other derogative terms.
  
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Sexual roleplaying also occurs, albeit rarely, on various forms of [[online game]]s. This is a generally less accepted type of roleplaying in an online community, though opinions about it vary. Social acceptance and attitudes to sexual roleplaying differ within various communities, often dependent on the community's genre or purpose (e.g., adult [[BDSM]] and [[Sexual fetishism|fetish]] communities not only accept this behaviour but promulgate it as the main activity around which the online community functions).
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It is also not uncommon for players to form personal attachments or friendships with the player that they roleplay with.
   
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The above mentioned example is generally better accepted in an [[online]] environment than roleplaying a character that involves sexual-related content in public or in abovementioned adult-themed roleplaying games.
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However, while not nearly as common, and at times considered "geeky" even by other gamers, there are servers or specific groups of roleplayers on many of the aforementioned Role Playing games, as well as games like ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'', which are based off of Dungeon and Dragons scenarios and use D&D rulesets.
  
   
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==See also==
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A more specialized form of the role-playing game is the [[live action role-playing game]] (LARP), in which participants act out their characters' actions, often using elaborate [[costume]]s, fake [[weapon]]ry and other [[prop]]s. (See the [[gamemaster]] article for an example of role-playing within a paper and pencil game).
  
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*[[Childhood play behavior]]
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*[[Drama therapy]]
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*[[Pretend play]]
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*[[Psychodrama]]
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*[[Roleplay simulation]]
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*[[Role taking]]
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*[[Scenario]]
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*[[Sociodrama]]
   
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==References==
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=== Online role-playing ===
  
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<div class="references-small">
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<references/>
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</div>
   
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==External links==
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[[Online text based role playing game]]s ("RPs" for short) have become much more popular online since the mid-[[1990s]], with [[message boards]] being one of the most common formats. (This is also called Play-By-E-Mail or PbeM when done online in groups.)
  
   
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*[http://www.roleplaysim.org/papers/ Roleplay Simulation for Teaching and Learning]
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However, at around the same time, the advent of ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUD MUDs]'' or "Multi User Dungeons" were created. Using predominantly Telnet (but also incorporating a similar setup to the Play-By-E-Mail games at times) these MUDs were, and still are used by many communities to make quick and easier to setup and use text style adventure games or even just chatroomesque programs for a specific audience.
  
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When role-playing on a message board, the player controls a character, and works them into the plot along with other characters controlled by other players. The end result is an unpredictable story that may or may not finish, depending on the length of story and devotion of the players. These games are divided into many different genres, topics, [[literacy-levels]], and can even be divided based on the sexual orientation of the RP characters (not to be confused with sexual roleplaying, where 'cybering' or other various forms of sexual gratification are the sole purpose). Exceptions to the rule of a single character exist; Many roleplayers prefer to field multiple or competing characters, or in some cases large entities like corporations or nations.
  
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Thanks to websites like [[Avidgamers]], [[Neopets]], [[Gaia Online]], and [[Runescape]] roleplaying is a popular activity world wide, mainly with adolescents and young adults. The most popular genres of online roleplaying include medieval fantasy, period drama (1800's, 1950's, etc.), modern horror/fantasy, animal role-playing, and media-based. Media-based roleplaying games (based, for example, on the [[Harry Potter]] series) are common, and the players involved tend to overlap with the relevant [[fan fiction]] communities.
  
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Roleplayers tend to use their own slang as well. For example, a 'Mary-Sue' is an obviously desperate character (also known as a 'despie'), usually perfect in every way and a complete bimbo. A 'literate' is someone who posts in paragraphs, with advanced spelling and grammar capabilities, and possibly a plot. '//' ('slash') is the style of roleplaying using two characters of the same sex who are romantically linked. (This was once refered to as 'flame' by fanfiction authors, though, most have switched to the term 'slash', in reference to [[slash fiction]].) [[Emoticon]]s are also common, but are generally only used 'OOC', or, 'Out Of Character', when roleplayers are simply talking to one another and not in the midst of a roleplay. 'Godmoding', 'Godmodding' or 'Power playing' is usually restricted in most roleplays because it involves one character taking control of other characters' fates, and utilize abilities that may not fit the RP, such as making your character [[invincible]]. Most roleplayers tend to avoide this type of action, as it could potentially involve the 'Godmoder' killing off another character or group of characters, etc. One can even rate their roleplay, to show other's their boundries. G, PG, PG-13, and R are the common ratings. An 'X' rated roleplay is a good implication that sex is the core of the subject material, similar to cybering.
  
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===Sexual role-playing in online games===
  
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Sexual role-playing also occurs, albeit rarely, on various [[MMORPG]]s. This is a generally less accepted type of roleplaying in an online community, though opinions about it vary. Some people think that [[human sexual behavior|sexual interaction]] is a natural part of [[life]]; thus can and should be a part of role-playing too, only if done privately like most people would do in [[real life]]. Other people think it's wrong and doesn't belong online, especially where [[underaged]] [[teenagers]] also spend their time.
 
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Sexual role-playing is typically performed by [[video game character |characters]] who [[love]] each other, although this can have different meanings for each role-player. Some have no problem going all the way, others draw a certain limit. This can depend on the [[player]], but also on the character. It is also not uncommon that the players get a personal attachment to the character and/or player that they role-play with.
  
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The abovely mentioned example is generally better accepted in an [[online]] environment than role-playing a character that involves sexual-related content in public, such as a [[prostitute]]. This also generally goes in conflict with the policies of the MMORPG in question.
  
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==External links==
  
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[http://www.roleplaysim.org/papers/ Role Play Simulation for Teaching and Learning]<br>
  
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[http://community.livejournal.com/cd_jrock_rpg LiveJournal Jrock Rpg Directory]<br>
  
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[http://www.greatestjournal.com/community/cd_jrock_rpg GreatestJournal Jrock Rpg Directory]
  
   
 
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In roleplaying, participants adopt and act out the role of characters, or parts, that may have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Roleplaying, also known as RP to some, is like being in an improvisational drama or free-form theater, in which the participants are the actors who are playing parts, and the audience.

People use the phrase "role-playing" in at least three distinct ways:

  • to refer to the playing of roles generally such as in a theater, or educational setting;
  • to refer to a wide range of games including computer role-playing games, play-by-mail games and more;
  • or to refer specifically to role-playing games.[1]

Role-playing games

Main article: Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which the participants assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines. Within the rules, they may improvise freely; their choices shape the direction and outcome of the games.

There are many different types of role-playing games (RPGs). Many, and particularly those that came first, are centered around characters being created in fantasy universes. Of particular note is the advent of such games as Dungeons and Dragons in the 1970's, invented and propagated originally by Gary Gygax and David Arneson. Many different versions of this game were developed, and other types of games were spun-off from this original template, causing what was first developed as a hobby to become a multi-million dollar business venture.

Role playing in educational settings

The clinical uses of role playing

Sexual roleplaying

Main article: Sexual roleplay

A form of roleplaying in which partners take parts in a drama that provides sexual gratification; these might include a teacher and pupil, or employer and maid. Sexual roleplaying is common in BDSM, and is integral to most pseudonymous or anonymous forms of cybersex.

Sexual roleplaying in online games

Sexual roleplaying also occurs, albeit rarely, on various forms of online games. This is a generally less accepted type of roleplaying in an online community, though opinions about it vary. Social acceptance and attitudes to sexual roleplaying differ within various communities, often dependent on the community's genre or purpose (e.g., adult BDSM and fetish communities not only accept this behaviour but promulgate it as the main activity around which the online community functions). It is also not uncommon for players to form personal attachments or friendships with the player that they roleplay with.

The above mentioned example is generally better accepted in an online environment than roleplaying a character that involves sexual-related content in public or in abovementioned adult-themed roleplaying games.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Andrew Rilstone, "Role-Playing Games: An Overview" 1994, Inter*Action #1 at http://www.rpg.net/oracle/essays/rpgoverview.html

External links

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