Hello Everyone
I have a question that is one that most of my friends and I can’t answer. Do you think RPG’s have to be based only in fantasy? I am sure there are some that are not based in that realm, but how successful they are and, more importantly, how do they play?
The reason I ask is that I had an idea for an RPG set in the 1920’s during the times of gangsters and the mafia. It would also have some resource strategy and territory control aspects, but the main game would be of a man who lost his family because of a lack of money (I know that’s more 1930’s, but around that era). He wants to get them back, but the only way he knows how is by joining his family (i.e. his brother and dad) in the mafia.
Its a work in progress, but I wanted some more opinions before I start dedicating a lot of time to it. I’m in school so I don’t get much time outside to work on personal stuff.
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With RPGs their main aspect is to live in the realm of Fantasy. Previous time eras included ( Medieval, for example ). The goal to me is keep the fantasy within a reasonable realm of possibility.
IE - It’s not hard to imagine someone casting a fireball, but it’s more difficult to imagine someone who has a “Kill Everything” spell, because there’s no fun in that.
Honestly I believe that almost any concept can be brought to light if it passes the balance beam. Keeping players in the Flow Channel is critical to success.
So maybe add a mythical/Fantasy aspect?
Khalid, Role Playing Game is just that. Role playing. Just because the fantasy theme is the most popular does not mean you have to set yours there. In this case, it is more related to the play mechanic’s of a CRPG.
There are several successful RPG’s set in other genres than fantasy.
As long as your story and mechanics fit the period or theme you will be fine.
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@Khalid_Talakshi Only if you want to. I personally think being a Gangster in the 1920’s is already a fantasy of a sort, So what I mean is as long as your game brings something enjoyable to the table, then it will be a good game! As @williamian said “As long as your story and mechanics fit the period or theme you will be fine.”