Freeform role-playing game
Encyclopedia
Freeform role-playing games, also called freeforms, are a type of role-playing game
which employ minimal or no rules. Instead, actions are adjudicated on the spot by the referee. There are also several variations, some of which lack a referee.
(LARP). Such freeforms have sprung up around the world independently:
some sources suggest the genre originated in Iceland
, others point to Australia
, others to games played at the University of York
and popularised in the fanzine
Aslan
. They are particularly popular in Australia
, where rules-based LARP games have only become common during the last decade. Some Australian conventions run specific competitions for small-scale freeforms that challenge the players or the normal conventions of roleplaying in ways not possible with other types of games. Such freeforms may experiment with different narrative styles, contemporary social issues or unusual themes, and can be very realistic. Such games are often restricted to mature players.
Australian gamers also frequently use a "multiform" style of gaming, a hybrid of traditional and freeform role-playing which may also incorporate elements of LARP. In a multiform game, players sit at the table for social or strategic roleplaying and may even use standard tabletop rules, but will stand to act out more physical aspects of the game, often without use of the normal rules. This style of gaming is frequently used at Australian conventions and many tabletop games employ it without being specifically labelled as multiforms, though it is not often used in home games.
s which lack rules or contain only basic guidelines, relying instead on the player's acting abilities and commitment to a good story. (In MUSH
or IRC settings, these are often called consent-based, because what happens to a character is influenced by a potential "veto" from that character's player.) These systems must either rely on carefully selected individuals or strict moderation, in order to prevent less mature players from taking advantage
(god-moding) of the rule-free environment, for example by unrealistically
shielding their characters from the consequences of their actions.
Similarly, "freeform" can refer to online forum-
. and email-based
role-playing games which lack rules or which lack statistics by which to judge a character's abilities. As with freeform MUSHes and IRC games those running the game rely instead upon the players' writing talents and use of description to determine outcomes--if a GM is used to control the game at all. Some online freeform games closely resemble collaborative fiction
, while others have much more structured rule sets, such as the Role Player's Creed.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
which employ minimal or no rules. Instead, actions are adjudicated on the spot by the referee. There are also several variations, some of which lack a referee.
Theatre-style LARP
The most common form of freeform game is the Theatre-style live action role-playing gameLive action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
(LARP). Such freeforms have sprung up around the world independently:
some sources suggest the genre originated in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, others point to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, others to games played at the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
and popularised in the fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
Aslan
Aslan (fanzine)
Aslan was a highly-regarded British role-playing game fanzine that was published in Brighton and sunsequently York in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It ran for 13 issues and many of them had sub-zines included. The title refers to both a character in The Chronicles of Narnia and an alien race in...
. They are particularly popular in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where rules-based LARP games have only become common during the last decade. Some Australian conventions run specific competitions for small-scale freeforms that challenge the players or the normal conventions of roleplaying in ways not possible with other types of games. Such freeforms may experiment with different narrative styles, contemporary social issues or unusual themes, and can be very realistic. Such games are often restricted to mature players.
Australian gamers also frequently use a "multiform" style of gaming, a hybrid of traditional and freeform role-playing which may also incorporate elements of LARP. In a multiform game, players sit at the table for social or strategic roleplaying and may even use standard tabletop rules, but will stand to act out more physical aspects of the game, often without use of the normal rules. This style of gaming is frequently used at Australian conventions and many tabletop games employ it without being specifically labelled as multiforms, though it is not often used in home games.
Freeform computer-assisted gaming
"Freeform" can also refer to online text-based role-playing gameOnline text-based role-playing game
An online text-based role playing game is a role-playing game played online using a solely text-based interface. Online text-based role playing games date to 1978, with the creation of MUD1, which began the MUD heritage that culminates in today's MMORPGs...
s which lack rules or contain only basic guidelines, relying instead on the player's acting abilities and commitment to a good story. (In MUSH
MUSH
In multiplayer online games, a MUSH is a text-based online social medium to which multiple users are connected at the same time...
or IRC settings, these are often called consent-based, because what happens to a character is influenced by a potential "veto" from that character's player.) These systems must either rely on carefully selected individuals or strict moderation, in order to prevent less mature players from taking advantage
Powergaming
Powergaming is a style of interacting with games or game-like systems with the aim of maximising progress towards a specific goal, to the exclusion of other considerations such as storytelling, atmosphere and camaraderie...
(god-moding) of the rule-free environment, for example by unrealistically
Verisimilitude
Verisimilitude is the quality of realism in something .-Competing ideas:The problem of verisimilitude is the problem of articulating what it takes for one false theory to be closer to the truth than another false theory...
shielding their characters from the consequences of their actions.
Similarly, "freeform" can refer to online forum-
Play-by-post gaming
A play-by-post game is an online text-based role-playing game. This is a niche area of the online roleplaying community which caters to both gamers and creative writers. PbP games are often based on other role-playing games, non-game fiction, or original settings...
. and email-based
Play-by-mail game
Play-by-mail games, sometimes known as "Play-by-post", are games, of any type, played through postal mail or e-mail. One example, chess, has been played by mail for centuries . Another example, Diplomacy, has been played by mail since the 1960s, starting with a printed newsletter written by John...
role-playing games which lack rules or which lack statistics by which to judge a character's abilities. As with freeform MUSHes and IRC games those running the game rely instead upon the players' writing talents and use of description to determine outcomes--if a GM is used to control the game at all. Some online freeform games closely resemble collaborative fiction
Collaborative fiction
Collaborative fiction is a form of writing by a group of authors who share creative control of a story.Collaborative fiction can occur for commercial gain, as part of education, or recreationally - many collaboratively written works have been the subject of a large degree of academic research.-...
, while others have much more structured rule sets, such as the Role Player's Creed.