by JJ Whitehead

Created on: August 02, 2008   Last Updated: December 13, 2011

The Gaming Experience: Online Role-Playing vs. Tabletop Role-Playing

There have been many debates between gamers on the subject of how the online role-playing system has influenced and been influenced by the tabletop system. It is difficult to make an educational decision about which version of the experience to enjoy. I have been involved in both versions of the role-playing game system in varying roles and I believe, as a fence-sitter, that I have positive and negative things to say about both versions of the gaming experience. Following this short introduction, readers will be able to compare and contrast these ideas, making their own choice on the subject. I strongly recommend giving both options the chance before making a final decision; however, I find myself leaning in the online direction.

THE STEP-BY-STEP COMPARISON

1. Gameplay, creativity, and artistry tabletop gaming (or floor gaming if you are like many groups) consists of the basic necessities (character sheets, dice, and a writing utensil) and the extras (figurines, books and manuals, special dice, renderings of your character, items that will enhance the experience, as well as lots of snacks and beverages). The actual playing is done through oral descriptions and the use of dice-rolling for nearly all facets of the experience. The game's playability is dependent upon the creative and enthusiastic approach from the DM/GM (Dungeon Master/Game Master). This individual weaves a story through words, detailing scenes, characters, interactions, situations, and even weather patterns. With a strong story, the gameplay can be a very entertaining experience through the creative artistry of a masterful storyteller. This is the difference between books and movies and depends on whether you would rather listen to the oral version or watch the visual events.

Onine gaming, played at a computer or console device, consists of a system, the software, a keyboard/mouse/game controller, and the mood to play. It is that simple. Most of these options are provided for other reasons than for the primary purpose of role-playing games. The visuals for some of these games are spectacular, the options available are amazing, and the sound-effects/soundtracks are inspiring; unfortunately, the game's playability usually suffers from poor programming logic, bringing down the experience. The storyline can be very open-ended, requiring no set rules for where to go or when; but this sometimes creates a suffering game with no journey.

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