Concepts of RPG and MMORPG and their differences

If we want to consider the concepts of RPG and MMORPG, as well as their differences, we should start with the fact that RPG and MMORPG are genres of computer games.

RPG and CRPG concepts

Let's start with the definition of RPG (Role-Playing Game) or CRPG (Computer Role-Playing Games) – it is a genre of computer games where the player has to play the role of one or more characters. Most often, this game starts with character creation, where you can choose not only a name, but also a race, appearance, profession, and type of weapon. The main characteristics of the character are defined. Character management in the game allows improving or developing skills, making the character unique and strong. The decisions made in relation to the character will directly affect the course of events and may have several options for development.

Let's take, for example, guards who protect a castle. The player can decide the way to distract these guards: by using magic, tricking or fighting them in a fair (or not so fair) battle. No matter which way is chosen, the outcome of such events will be different.

So how can players understand that they are playing an RPG or CRPG?

1. Players can create and control one or more unique characters and improve the character's characteristics. Elements of equipment help the character to upgrade skills or change their characteristics.
2. The character can independently explore new locations originally closed to the game, collect and store the necessary items in the inventory, find and use hints or important information. In addition, they can interact with the game world, while the game world can influence the character.
3. There is a plot in the game: the character can use the received information to complete tasks, and the events are connected to each other. The plot of this series of tasks will depend on the character's decisions, and players are free to choose the option they like. Progress in such games is impossible without the thinking process and decision-making.
4. Character characteristics play an important role in the game since the battle results depend on the skills and equipment possessed by the character.

Next, let's talk about MMORPG, and first, it is important to note that MMO stands for Massively Multiplayer Online.

Basically, an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) is a role-playing game that allows a character to interact with real players, meaning that many people can play the game at the same time. There is also the character creation, its characteristics, and interaction with the game world, but the player will never be able to imitate the behavior of a character controlled by the same live player.

Examples of RPG: Baldur's Gate, Arcanum, Fallout, Mass Effect, ADOM, Angband, Dungeon Crawl: Stone soup.

Arcanum

Baldurs Gate

Fallout

Examples of MMORPG: World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, EVE Online.

Creating the character in World of Warcraft

Completing the task in World of Warcraft

Creating the character in Star Wars: The Old Republic

Performing the task in Star Wars: The Old Republic

In conclusion, we can see that the most significant difference will be that in an MMORPG players interact with other real players whose actions cannot be predicted, they have the opportunity to communicate with other characters, discuss the game's progress or form an alliance with other players. In short, the player will be involved not only in exploring the game world, discovering new locations and leveling up his character (RPG) but also in the game's community, the reaction and actions of which are difficult to predict.