About the poll:

Well that's why I grouped the characteristics into two broad groups, so that the choice has meaningful consequences, he he.

Let me reformulate slightly and elaborate:

Group 1: Free choice of character and stats/skills thereof; presence of an inventory with a variety of items to choose from; detailed graphical environment and sound, voice acting; free-roaming gameplay; Multiplayer/online features

Group 2: Meaningful choices in the dialogues and actions; focus on narrative elements; coherent setting; believable, complex and original story and characters

I think the two groups of features represent the two main types of people who play RPGs and their expectations. Basically it's Oblivion/Diablo/WoW/FF against BG2/P:T/Fallout/KotoR/VtMB. The whole point of course is to have everyone vote for Group 2 :D

@fireandcloud: In Planescape: Torment, dialogue is the main element of gameplay. Not much fighting, lock-picking or puzzle-solving. And dialogue is so much more than information and quest acquisition, it's what gives depth to the game and makes you feel like you're interacting with a living world and real people. As it does in Vampire Bloodlines and others which have more combat. So dialogue may not be the only defining aspect, but I would consider it as the most important for a good RPG. I can even forgive a stupid and linear story if character interaction is good. But they usually go hand-in-hand.

Please don't quote me when I'm being so wordy. :P

I think what PC developers could learn from Squaresoft is how to create original settings and complex stories. And funky-looking creatures. But not RPGs.

@foxhound_fox: The problem is the kind of brain I'm using. The browser (Firefox) works fine.

@fireandcloud: I think we've agreed that NPC interaction is part of the character development aspect (as in their personal development, not their statistical progress). What kind of person you are IS how you interact with others.

What's wrong with me, I can't post anything without having to edit.

[QUOTE="fireandcloud"]so hence, if in crysis there was an option of talking your way into a hut, it'd be an rpg? i would say no.foxhound_fox

Will you marry me?

where do you make the cut off line after all these years?

smerlus

I created this thread to try and answer this question. I never said it would be easy, but I think it's useful. I recognise that there will always be border-cases, however.

So, as it stands, a list of features would be, in no particular order but in two categories which represent the main "schools of thought":

- free choice of the character and stats/skills thereof, presence of an inventory with a variety of items to choose from

- meaningful choices in the dialogues and actions which truly affect the story and gameworld, focus on narrative elements over graphical/technological sophistication

I would argue that an RPG is a game in which the RPG elements are central to the gameplay. Otherwise most of the video games that come out would be called RPGs. Most shooters include a basic form of inventory.