Pen and Paper Roleplaying
Pen and paper roleplaying games are games where the actions of a character in a game world are described and controlled by a player. Usually, pen and paper roleplaying games are run by a game master who describes the game world and how it reacts to the players (and also handles much of the dice-rolls and mechanics behind the roleplaying game as well.) Pen and paper games offer a much larger degree of freedom than other forms of interactive media because much of it lis left up to the player's imagination- they are free to improvise as much as they want, and the game master is able to change the direction and world of the game as a result of the player's actions. Pen-and-paper roleplaying games are often governed by a set of rules which gives a feeling of suspense and risk to the game. There are hundreds of pen and paper roleplaying games in distribution, most of them tailored to a specific genre or setting. There are also systems which have modules that can be added or removed to suit a setting or genre. Ultimately, the point of a pen and paper roleplaying game is to have fun.
THE BIG THREE
Dungeons and Dragons
Probably the most well-known pen and paper RPG, Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy RPG that is inspired by western fantasy and, most notably, the works of J. R. Tolkien. Currently the most popular RPG overall (thank you /tg/ statistics) it uses the D20 system. Created by Gary Gygax and some other guy who nobody gives a stuff about in 1974, the basic version evolved over time into Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, which is now what people actually call Dungeons and Dragons. Confusing. Eventually, 4.0e(current edition) came and pissed off a lot of people who liked 3.5e, who went over to...
Pathfinder
It's a more polished 3.5e published by different guys. Not much to say here.
WH40k Roleplaying/Dark Heresy
The third most played RPG according to the totally reliable /tg/ census, in Dark Heresy (published by Fantasy Flight Games, first came out in 2008), you play as acolytes (rookie/training Inquisitors) who go to various places to investigate and root out Chaos dark heresy (get it?) and alien infiltrations. And usually die horribly. The system used by Dark Heresy would later be used in other 40k roleplaying games. Seen below.
Rogue Trader (2009) - Play as interstellar traders and explorers. Like Spanish explorers except less cruel.
Deathwatch (2011) - Be Space Marines and kill aliens. Be OP.
Black Crusade (2011) - Be Chaos cultists and spread the truth. Kill people.
Only War (2012) - Be Guardsmen. Take part in an army of
blind and willing meatshield redshirts proud soldiers of the Emperor
Roleplaying Games
Call of CthulhuA Role-playing game inspired and based on the works of HP Lovecraft, this horror RPG takes the players to the dark depths of the world to investigate Eldritch horrors. Most of the time, it takes place in the 1920's, when most of Lovecraft's stories took place. Really fun/scary with friends, and if done properly can be very enjoyable. Expect a lot of people to die or lose their head completely. Has a supplement called Delta Green which changes the Call of Cthulhu base game into something more compatible with the present day.
ShadowrunA cyberpunk/fantasy roleplaying game, this unique take on traditional fantasy elements combines dragons, magic, and elves with cybernetic augmentations and ubiquitous drug use. Set in the late 21st century, dragons, elves, and your standard fantasy fair has emerged alongside a futuristic, technology-infused world where Native Americans have taken back most of America.
Group Post
Expect this to be updated later. It's hard to write an OP on the iPad.
