Roleplaying

If case you don't know, a roleplaying game (or RPG) is a form of entertaiment where the players each create fictional characters and then assume their roles to tell an interactive story. RPGs are a great way to make friends and stimulate your imagination at the same time. For more information on roleplaying in general, check out RPGNet. Listed below are some of my own favorite RPGs. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try one today. Each one offer countless hours of enjoyment.

Dungeons & Dragons

The great granddaddy of all RPGs is Gary Gygax's immortal Dungeons & Dragons. If someone has only heard of one RPG, it's almost certainly this one. D&D represents the pinnacle of classic, Tolkien-esque high fantasy. Wizards, warriors, elves, dwarves, orcs, and, of course, the mighty dragons all meet to create the epic saga that has drawn millions into the world of fantasy roleplaying.

Wizards of the Coast is the company that produces D&D. Their site has more than enough to keep you occupied for hours. Including complete downloads of classic D&D products!

Star Wars: the Roleplaying Game

One of my very favorite RPG has to be Star Wars. It features streamlined, easy-to-learn rules that perfectly capture the swashbuckling spirit of the films. This game allows you to create your very own Star Wars characters and experience adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars is also produced by Wizards of the Coast. Their site is a great resource for fans of the RPG.

Shadowrun

Shadowrun is a truly unique roleplaying experience. It combines the grim atmosphere of William Gibson's "Neuromancer" with the classic fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." The players assume the role of "Shadowrunners", guns for hire in the corrupt corporate underworld of the 2050s. Furthermore, the world as we know it is no more. The "Awakening" has brough magic back to the world, along with fantastic creatures like elves, dwarves, ghouls, and dragons. The epic clash of sci-fi and fantasy that is Shadowrun is not to be missed by any serious roleplayer.

Dumpshock.com is easily the most complete online Shadowrun resource. Great stuff!

Call of Cthulhu

Based on the nightmarish fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, Call of Cthulhu is widely regarded as the best horror roleplaying game ever made. Set in our own world, this game allows players to investigate strange happenings and mysterious locales around the world. Be forwarned, however, as there are some things that mortal men simply weren't meant to know. Can you confront awesome beings and forces from beyond time and space, or will you be driven, screaming, into madness?

De Web Mysteriis is a very well-organized directory of the various Call of Cthulhu resources available online.

Vampire: the Masquerade

Another of the more unique games out there, Vampire: the Masquerade allows roleplayers to experience the mystery and personal horror of life among the undead. Cast in the roles of modern day vampires, players struggle to maintain their humanity in the face of the fierce supernatural lust for fresh blood. Truly a game for the expert roleplayer, Vampire fosters an intense, brooding atmosphere all its own.

White Wolf Online is the place to go for Vampire: the Masquerade game support.

FUDGE

None of the games listed above sound like your cup of tea? Or are you just looking for the opportunity to test your game design skills by creating your very own roleplaying game? Well then, you should probably check out FUDGE (Freeform Universal Do-It-Yourself Gaming Engine). It's not so much a roleplaying game unto itself as it is a sort of user-friendly crash course in RPG design. With it, you can create any sort of game you please. Serious sci-fi, intense horror, lighthearted fantasy, and all-out comedy are all equally viable choices. Best of all, the FUDGE rules are available for download absolutely free!

Grey Ghost Press is the online home of FUDGE. The entire game can be downloaded here for free!

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