role-playing game

noun

variants or less commonly role playing game

plural role-playing games also role playing games

: an adventure game in which players advance a character through a series of battles or quests to gain experience, strength, and skill as part of a progressive narrative arc usually depicting the hero's journey

An adaptation of the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, it [Baldur's Gate 2] aspired to digitize the rich experience of playing at a table among friends …

—Claire Jackson

Although very different from online role-playing games, some traditional games feature vast universes that increase the player's participation possibilities.

—Fran Calvo

—abbreviation RPG

Word History

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above