Welcome to the 30 Day challenge of November which is going to be all about Role Playing Games of all shapes and sizes, whether produced in Japan or USA, tactical or real-time and more.

Today, we’re gonna talk SEMANTICS (yaaaay!) as we try to articulate what exactly makes a game a Role Playing Game, specifically. Is it turn based combat? The ability to make narrative choices? Min-Maxing in menus? There can be as many answers as there are players and defining an “objective” label is impossible, but nevertheless…
The main prompt of the day is: What makes something an “RPG” to you? Is there a minimum set of traits that must be present, or is it more of a vibes thing?

Bonus Prompt: Any technically non-“RPG essential” traits you nevertheless strongly associate with RPGs- for better or worse?

The Legend Of Bonus Prompt: The Legend of Zelda: RPG or not? Plus all other “NOT an RPG!” “IS an RPG!” hot takes!

Superfluous Leveling System prompt: Most pointless or frustrating additions of RPG elements to otherwise non-RPG experiences?