LitRPG, short for literary role-playing game, is a literary genre combining the conventions of computer role-playing games with science fiction and fantasy novels, a term introduced in 2013. Game-like elements form an essential part of the story, and visible role-playing-game statistics are a significant part of the reading experience, distinguishing the genre from novels that merely tie in with an existing game world, literal game-book publications such as the Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure series, and games described in literary form such as MUDs and interactive fiction. The protagonist of a LitRPG novel is typically consciously aware of interacting with the game or game-like world and works deliberately to progress within its rules.
Facts
Place of OriginRussia: the term was identified and named by a Russian publishing initiative, with EKSMO, a major Russian publishing house, starting the first dedicated multiple author LitRPG project in 2013. 1 Notable ExampleAndre Norton's novel Quag Keep (1978), an early precedent in which characters enter the world of a Dungeons and Dragons game. 1 Defining TraitGame-like elements form an essential part of the story, with visible role playing game statistics such as strength, intelligence and damage a significant part of the reading experience. 1 FAQs
What is the difference between LitRPG and GameLit?
GameLit only needs video-game elements; LitRPG needs RPG mechanics that drive the story.
GameLit is fiction that includes video-game elements but not necessarily RPG structures, with Ready Player One given as an example. LitRPG is narrower: its game mechanics, such as levels, skills and stats, have to shape the characters, their world and the plot rather than serve as decoration.
Connections
Sources
1. LitRPG (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)History section
Andre Norton's Quag Keep (1978) enters the world of the characters of a D&D game.
Lead section
In LitRPG, game-like elements form an essential part of the story, and visible RPG statistics (for example strength, intelligence, damage) are a significant part of the reading experience.
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