RuneScape:Wiki Post/Editorials/A very, very long and boring essay

Written by: Jack

When deciding whether to purchase a computer strategy game or role playing game, think about your gaming style; do you enjoy building a civilization up from a Stone Age village to a space age metropolis, or do you prefer to start off a game as a simple peasant and end as the ruler of a great nation? There are fundamental differences between computer strategy games and role playing games. After looking at the descriptions, the decision is a personal choice on which one to play.

These are some of characteristics of computer strategy game which might help in the decision of which kind of game, strategy or role playing, to choose. The player in the strategy type of game normally controls large groups of people, which can be armies, tribes, cities, civilizations, or even galactic empires. In most of these games, the player starts out with a village, camp, planet, or other modest settlement to start with. As time progresses the settlement grows larger and some small settlements grow near the original one. As the game progresses further, the player interacts with other large groups.

The strategy game world is highly affected by the player’s actions, more “god-like” in abilities. For example, the player may build cities, plan and construct great projects like the pyramids, build civilizations, see the world as map, or do many other world-changing actions. Despite all of these “god-like” abilities, the player often cannot directly influence the game world, but instead influences the world through larger units, such as armies or construction crews. Usually every new game is different; a new game world is randomly generated for each game, so the cities, the various tribes, resources, and often the geographical features will be different every game. Strategy games are played from more of a third person stand-point, and often widely replayable.

In comparison, role playing games have many different characteristics, and are played from more of a first-person perspective. The player in this kind of game normally controls a single character, or sometimes a small group of up to 6 characters. Social interaction is usually important in role-playing games, and a player will often interact with individuals or small groups. Players often have choices of what the character says to other characters. For example, the player could have his character Duck the Barbarian either politely greet King Rufus of Muck, or oafishly make fun of the king’s crown. The first option would probably result in a cordial response from the king, while the second would probably result in a hostile reaction and a trip to the castle dungeons. These actions are experienced by the player from the character’s perspective.

The player interacts directly with the role playing game world. For example, the player may open doors, pick up objects or perform many other manipulative actions. The player often makes or breaks objects in the game, for example, King Rufus might send Duck off to cut a branch of the World Tree to make a magical bow and a quest. In consequence if the player succeeds, the King will give Duck a small castle and village as a reward. The player takes the role of the character throughout the game.

The role playing game world is affected by the player, but in more of an individual way than in a strategy game. The player’s action in the game world is more realistic; the player affects the world in more of a modest way. For example, the player may help start a city, but would not have great monuments constructed, or build civilizations, but may only build a house. The game is usually the same one every time you play, some of the objects of the game might be in a different place in each game, but the towns and other important details will be in the same place. As a result, the role playing game world does not change drastically.

Role playing games are played more from a first person standpoint, have more of a plot, and a storyline. While somewhat less repayable than a strategy game with randomly generated worlds, role playing games can be replayed by the player by making different decisions than in the previous game, for example choosing to play a different character such as a Greek Philosopher rather than Duck the Barbarian. The game world will consequently develop along different paths and the player will have more intelligent conversations within the plot. Both computer strategy games and role playing games share some major traits. In both types of games the player’s character or group develops skills and new abilities as the game progresses. For example, the group may develop technologically and culturally while the character may gain new skills, treasures, and equipment. Also, in both types of games the player’s decisions have consequences in the game world, whether they affect the individual or the larger group. The consequences of these decisions develop the game world and the action of the strategy and role playing games.

After comparing the differences and similarities of computer strategy and role playing games, consider your gaming style and whether you enjoy building a civilization up from a Stone Age village to a space age metropolis, or do you prefer to start off a game as a simple peasant and end as the ruler of a great nation. The two types of games both have the potential to provide a player with hours of enjoyment, whichever one is chosen.

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