Is there a skill system in this game?

[Oss133]

I have always felt that with an RPG, paper- or computer based, the role-playing part was fulfilled by the mechanics of the system because I am playing that character's abilities and not my own.

In an FPS I am effectively me because the protagonist is only as good a shot as I am. In a game with skills and levelling I am as good with a sword as the character sheet says I am.

On this basis, to me, Elite is not an RPG because the pilot skills are my own, even though I want to fully immerse myself in playing the role of a pilot in the far future.

To assess it on the basis that if I am playing a role it is an RPG would be to conclude that all games were RPG's, which to me they are not.

 

[Susimetsa]

Inspired partly by this thread (and others like it on other games forums), I got the urge to spill all my thoughts into an article.

Enjoy or don't, but here it is:

http://www.hookedgamers.com/features/2014/03/26/what_is_an_rpg_and_what_is_it_not.html

 

[Lochemage]

Inspired partly by this thread (and others like it on other games forums), I got the urge to spill all my thoughts into an article.

Enjoy or don't, but here it is:

http://www.hookedgamers.com/features/2014/03/26/what_is_an_rpg_and_what_is_it_not.html

Interesting read. Thanks for the link.

 

[Susimetsa]

Interesting read. Thanks for the link.

Thanks! I found it an interesting topic and all my thoughts could not be fitted into a short forum post format, so an article was the way to go.

 

[JeffRyan]

We're pretty much in agreement Marko.

 

[Oss133]

Inspired partly by this thread (and others like it on other games forums), I got the urge to spill all my thoughts into an article.

Enjoy or don't, but here it is:

http://www.hookedgamers.com/features/2014/03/26/what_is_an_rpg_and_what_is_it_not.html

An interesting read but you seem to be edging towards the idea that computer games are not yet capable of being RPG's which, while true if we take your conclusions as correct, is not really useful as the label is still going to be used regulary.

Games are different from books and films because of the mechanics involved in allowing us to control the direction in which they go. One simple label for a game is not really possible as there are a number of factors which should be taken into account and the mechanics involved should form some part of that.

 

[Susimetsa]

An interesting read but you seem to be edging towards the idea that computer games are not yet capable of being RPG's which, while true if we take your conclusions as correct, is not really useful as the label is still going to be used regulary.

Modern games are not yet capable of being fully encompassing RPGs from the point of view of the experience-orientation, but I'd argue that Elite4 will be one of those games where we will have a wonderful opportunity to flex also those muscles.

In Elite4's case, the only problem is that it is not specifically touted as an RPG, which means that many will play it simply as an action/adventure game and thus the open multiplayer is perhaps not the place where roleplayers want to hang out. This remains to be seen, of course.

 

[Gulinborsti]

In-game skill systems are fine for pure RPGs, but once you add MMO and/or FPS such skill system are getting obsolete.

Especially when it takes very long to grind all this skills to stay competitive.

Instead of skill systems, games like E need content and mechanics to allow players to play in a lot of different ways.

 

[HoshiQaVam]

Not to beat a dead horse, but the original Elite had an entirely new game genre title created for it:

Space Trading and Combat Simulator

Elite: Dangerous is obviously the same.

That genre also includes games like Freelancer, Jumpgate Evo, and even EVE online.

The general categorization of an RPG is a game with a narrative-driven storyline and character progression, neither of which Elite has (upgrading equipment really doesn't count as character progression).

However, it is true that over the past few years the term RPG has been (incorrectly) given to some games.

For the record, an MMO is categorised as a multiplayer-only game with a persistent online world. Therefore, Elite: Dangerous is definitely also an MMO since it's world is (by Beta) persistent.

 

[Susimetsa]

The general categorization of an RPG is a game with a narrative-driven storyline and character progression

Where can this categorisation/definition be found? I don't think a clear definition exists and as I argued in my article, that description may be somewhat mistaken.

Narrative can take place inside the players head/imagination, so that's covered. Character progression is not as essential for an RPG genre (there are many game systems where this aspect is not in focus).

 

[Ixnatifual]

RPGs are about far more than "stats."

Anyway, here's a link to Wikipedia's thought: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_video_game

 

[synchromesh]

If so, how does it work?

No different than getting up and going to work.....Anything can happen..
Its just another life and the skill is to live it without getting killed and maybe making a fortune...

A real virtual life in space and you choose how you live it...