What is an RPG?

[Camanche]

I always figured a Role Playing Game was just that- a game where the main attraction of it was taking on the role of a character. Sure, in many other games you do this, but that's not them main or dominant focus.

In FFVII for example, the main focus of the game was taking on the role of Cloud Strife, ex-SOLDIER, turned mercenary, in his struggle with his inner demons and his overcoming of them in order to save the Planet.

In a game like Halo, you take on the role of a particular character, yes, but that is not the main focus of the game. So in general, a game like Halo, woul not be consider a RPG.

RPG's are the little, now huge category of games, that's specifically focused on things that were smaller elements of most games at that time. Sure, Crash Bandicoot, for example, had a story and a character you took on the role of, but that sure wasn't the focus of the game- it was a platform game, which had you going through levels, collecting inane items for special bonuses, etc.

Why are some of the people here trying to say that RPG's do and don't have certain characteristics? RPG's are kind of a hodge-podge of many, many genres all rolled into one, but with a predominant focus on story, or the role of the main character, and the events around him or her. FFVII for example, by the elements in it could be considered the following:

Racing Game- Chocobo Racing
Snowboarding Game... heh
Shooter- Speed Square
Adventure- Looking around and exploring a world, collecting items
Strategy/War Game- Fort Condor, Submarine Game, and the battles themselves in a way.

There's probably more categories I could throw in there, but FFVII is NOT any of these genres because those parts of the game are obviously not the main focus. They use elements from other rather linear genres to tell the story of the game, or the character who you control and take on the role of.

Zelda is an RPG in a way. It's not strictly an RPG, and is more of a dungeon crawler/adventure game, but it's story is still a fairly large focus of the game. Heck, I could be wrong, but I think the creators of it even label it an RPG.

That's it, I'm getting tired of always arguing with people about what is an RPG.

Then why are you posting a topic about the subject, which will obviously lead to debate, disagreements, and yes, arguments? You have an idea of what an RPG is to you, but if you shut out other's ideas of what they think it is, you're only asking for arguments. People have their own opinion just like you, why fight them on it?