Castle Paradox

planethunter · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:19 am Post subject: Is a non-violent rpg possible?

After playing countless rpgs with conventional battles, I wondered: Would it be possible to design an rpg that was enjoyable but it had no violence in it what-so-ever.

Now, don't get me wrong here, I like playing games with conventional fight battles and gain exp. type rpg, but I have yet to play a game where players resolve their differences via some other means. I know I've brung a similar topic about 'conflict' but I realised this wasn't possible, even the most simple games have this. What I was wondering was, can this be pulled off without turning the rpg into some sort of puzzle game.

Some possiblities I had in mind where dialogue and negotiation favour engaging the enemy, though that's a tad boring. Any suggestions/criticisms would be great.

~PH~
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~PH

Junair Wiare · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:42 am Post subject:

Yes, it is possible to have an RPG w/o combat. However, it is difficult to do it without turning the game into either a puzzle game, or a movie. If you could pull it off, that would be pretty amazing.

Yes, there's games without combat (I'm pretty sure OHR Date falls into that category, but I haven't played it much. Raspberry!

), but many of them have trouble appealing to most players.

A "nationstates" style gameplay could be fun. (No idea what I'm talking about? http://www.nationstates.com)
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Moogle1 · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 11:33 am Post subject:

Then it wouldn't be an RPG.
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djfenix · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 359

An RPG without fighting = Harvest moon or Legend of the River King (there was fighting in LotRK, but it still would've worked without the fights)

RPGrealm5 · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 2:22 pm Post subject:

Yes, it is possible to make one, although it takes more effort to do so.
One game I made called Project:VIRUS had no combat at all, but still kept the game interesting with the use of other more creative methods.
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Squall · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 2:24 pm Post subject:

Games such as Harvest Moon are actually more of a 'Role Playing Game' than the typical random-battle fare that we've been playing. Sure, in the battle games, you get to level up your stats by fighting monsters, but you don't really play the role of the main character. You feel more like you're doing his dirty work, which is another reason I don't like typical RPGs (as they're commonly known as). Games like Harvest Moon, OHR Date, and Virtual School, even, allow the player to truly play the role of a character.
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RPGCreations · **E Pluribus Unum** Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 345

Just base an RPG off the UN.
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JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

You could make a diplomatic RPG, but good luck getting people to like it. It's probably been done, anyway.

Example: President Bush RPG! Save America from losing its reputation... whoops.

Dan the Man Entertainment · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 204

So far, the only RPG I can think of that has no violence in it would
be one where people negotiate who uses the bathroom first.

Of course, this may lead to violence in real life......but just use
peaceful people.

Setu_Firestorm · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:16 pm Post subject:

What about Orchy's City of Dreams? That was an interesting game with no battle sequences.
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SunsOfFlame · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 139

I made a president Bush RPG but he was trying to become a rock star..

Anyway, this would be an interesting contest.

In a sense, though, isn't every game an RPG cuz you're always playin someones role?
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Shadowiii · **It's been real.** Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 2460

Too deep! Submerge sub, captain! GLUB

Oookay...

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But enough talk, have at you!

lethal255 · Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject:

There was still fighting in it, but you could talk your way out of battles in geneforge 2(although it's not for the ohr).
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rpgspotKahn · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:28 am Post subject:

Artimus Bena · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:31 am Post subject: Hmm.

If you had a sick mind, you could change 'fights' into make-out duels. Instead of taking hp, you would give it, and first to get the other to a certain point wins the battle.

For example, the low-level attacks would be things like Cheek Kiss.

The higher ones... well the higher ones would be be involved, and one shimmy away from pornography... so... as I stated... if you had a sick mind.... : D
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