RPG classification

Some nerds on /tg/ argue about what is and isn't an RPG. Especially since newfags have appeared this has been a hot topic.

Traditional RPG

Your standard games. Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, WHFRP... These are often mechanics medium to pretty crunchy, with powers being very specific. Which results in some people abusing the exact wording to make stupidly overpowered builds.

Some fa/tg/uys like to dovode them further into combat games, which are all of the above, and travel games, of which there are only two: Ryuutama and The One Ring.

Story games

These are your more narrative drives games, like World of Darkness, Powered by the Apocalypse, FUDGE, or even diceless systems like Golden Sky Stories. These are usually rules light, with powers being vague, up to interpretation, and often can accomplish many related things. Narration is the main focus, so that isn't surprising. While they aren't real RPGs, they are usually fast to learn, quick to pick up for oneshots, and most people play for the story anyways. Though the argument whether WoD is a story game or a traditional game persists.

Simulations

Do you enjoy rolling on tables? Do you think the wind speed and direction, humidity, light in your eyes, and your own health should matter? Do you enjoy figuring out every detail of something and spending tens of minutes figuring out all the modifiers? These are simulation games, like Aces and Eights. Incredibly crunchy, incredibly detailed. They appeal to a certain demographic of fa/tg/uy, but to most people these are too much.