The debate over what constitutes a role-playing game (RPG) is a lively one, with opinions and definitions varying widely. At Kotaku, the discussion among staffers recently delved into whether Elden Ring, a highly anticipated game, falls into the RPG category. Some argue vehemently for its inclusion, while others take a firm stance against it. The conversation, filled with wit and banter, sheds light on the complexities of defining genres in the ever-evolving landscape of video games.
Exploring the RPG Genre
Kenneth Shepard kicked off the discussion by pondering the top RPGs of the past decade, citing games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Persona 5 Royal, and Disco Elysium as his frontrunners. As suggestions for the final two spots were tossed around, the conversation turned to whether titles like The Witcher 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne deserved a spot on the list. John Walker took a hardline stance against including Soulslike games in the RPG category, sparking a playful yet spirited back-and-forth among the team.
The core of the debate revolved around the defining characteristics of an RPG. Some argued that features like levels, stats, dialogue choices, quests, and XP were essential elements, while others found themselves grappling with the blurred lines between genres. As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that pinning down a precise definition of an RPG was no easy task. The team’s humorous exchanges and differing perspectives highlighted the subjective nature of genre classification in the gaming world.
The Essence of RPGs
Ethan Gach succinctly captured the essence of an RPG by listing key criteria such as narrative choices, quests, character customization, skill checks, and stat progression. Elden Ring, with its rich gameplay elements and dragons, seemed to check all the boxes for an RPG experience. While some members stood by their convictions about what qualifies as an RPG, others found themselves questioning their own definitions in light of the spirited debate.
The conversation meandered through discussions of other notable RPG titles, including Cyberpunk 2077, Pillars of Eternity, and Vampire Survivors, each adding a layer of complexity to the genre debate. As the team delved deeper into their personal preferences and interpretations of RPGs, it became evident that the classification of games was as much about individual perspectives as it was about objective criteria.
In the end, the Kotaku team’s lively debate over Elden Ring’s RPG status served as a microcosm of the larger discourse surrounding genre definitions in the gaming community. As the boundaries of traditional genres continue to blur and evolve, the quest to categorize games becomes more nuanced and subjective than ever before. Through humor, insight, and spirited discussion, the Kotaku team shed light on the complexities of defining RPGs in an ever-changing landscape of interactive storytelling and gameplay experiences.
