I always see people debating over terms for different RPG games, but I've devised a foolproof way to make sense of it. Once and for all, here's the new official RPG terminology:
- Western style RPGs were originally created for computers, so we should call them computer role playing games, or CRPG
- Japanese style RPGs were originally created for consoles, so naturally we should call them console role playing games, or CRPG
- Chinese style RPGs are developed in Chinese-speaking places, so we can differentiate them by calling them Chinese role playing games, or CRPG
- Analog RPGs that you play with dice and paper are developed to be played on a surface, so we can differentiate them by calling them countertop role playing games, or
- If you think about it, "live action" RPGs are really just an extension of theater and childhood games, arguably making them the oldest kind around, so we really should call them classic—
