Bioware: FF13 is not an RPG

[MatParker116]

http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/8006/bioware-you-can-put-a-j-in-front-of-it-but-final-fantasy-13-isnt-an-rpg

Bioware's Daniel Erickson:
Well, before I address the main point I just want to take a slightly more controversial route: You can put a 'J' in front of it, but it's not an RPG. You don't make any choices, you don't create a character, you don't live your character... I don't know what those are - adventure games maybe? But they're not RPG's."

I tend to agree but that's my opinion.

 

[darthzew]

That's actually a good point. Turned-based adventure gaming might be a better way to describe it.

 

[Quiet Stranger]

http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/8006/bioware-you-can-put-a-j-in-front-of-it-but-final-fantasy-13-isnt-an-rpg

Bioware's Daniel Erickson:
Well, before I address the main point I just want to take a slightly more controversial route: You can put a 'J' in front of it, but it's not an RPG. You don't make any choices, you don't create a character, you don't live your character... I don't know what those are - adventure games maybe? But they're not RPG's."

I tend to agree but that's my opinion.

Wasn't it the Japanese who came UP with the first RPG's? (video game wise)

EDIT: Okay....thanks to everyone for clearing that up for me

 

[Legion]

I also agree with that notion, but the issue is that there is no clear definition on what defines something as an RPG. Borderlands and Bioshock have "RPG elements" but they are merely levelling up systems and upgrades, if they count as RPG elements then the line is a little fuzzy.

 

[Woodsey]

I totally agree.

The "role" part of RPG is pretty vital, yet you don't fulfill any of that.

 

[_Janny_]

Isn't it the same case with Diablo? All the characters you can play with are already created and there are no choices to be made by the players. But it's still considered an RPG. Same with Zelda.

I don't know... I always considered a game an RPG as long as you can level up at your own pace, have an inventory stuffed full of objects, and a reasonably open world to explore. And maybe armor you can switch around that changes the way you look.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Well i don't normally play JRPGs so i don't really have a clear view.
However If you look into the Care and Detail Bioware normally puts into their games, and compare it to, say, Final Fantasy. I personally believe there is Major Differences for both kinds of games.
So yeah, from Bioware's views, FF games are not RPGs. That's fine, i'm one of their loyal followers anyway.

 

[ThreeKneeNick]

To be fair neither is Mass Effect. Mass Effect 2 is a JRPG in disguise.

 

[CloudKiller]

As a fan of both Bioware and Square Enix, I agree, especially in the case of FF13, linearity isn't a bad thing but it does go against what an RPG is all about.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

I had never really thought of it like that before but when i think about he is right. it just makes so much sense

 

[Palademon]

Actually, to be controversial with your point, RPG is a game where characters actually develop (in skills and health and damage etc.) so FF is one, it's just you dont decide what they look like and they have a personality. You do make choices, but they are more about roles and what you choose to upgrade rather than whether to be an absolute bastard or not.

 

[xavierxenon]

Bioware can suck my balls for all I care. Their games are nothing special to me, Mass Effect 1 & 2 certainly were good but I can mention loads of other games I prefer.

To me, RPGs have and always will be about the stats, the levelling, character gear and turn-based combat. If anything, its their games that aren't RPGs.

Oh, and can't forget about random encounters either.

 

[Woodsey]

To be fair neither is Mass Effect. Mass Effect 2 is a JRPG in disguise.

What's not an RPG about Mass Effect (bar the combat)?

 

[ProtoChimp]

http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/8006/bioware-you-can-put-a-j-in-front-of-it-but-final-fantasy-13-isnt-an-rpg

Bioware's Daniel Erickson:
Well, before I address the main point I just want to take a slightly more controversial route: You can put a 'J' in front of it, but it's not an RPG. You don't make any choices, you don't create a character, you don't live your character... I don't know what those are - adventure games maybe? But they're not RPG's."

I tend to agree but that's my opinion.

Wasn't it the Japanese who came UP with the first RPG's? (video game wise)

Yeah they might have came up with it but they still didn't do it very well. Games like fallout and mass effect avanced on the idea.

 

[Baconmonster723]

I agree wholeheartedly. RPGs are ROLE-playing games. I've always thought FF13 is no more an RPG than Zelda:Ocarina of Time. Just because you have a level up system does not make you an RPG.

Roleplaying games are defined as a broad family of games in which players assume the roles of characters, or take control of one or more avatars, in a fictional setting. In Final Fantasy 13 you don't assume the role of a characer. You control the character but you are not the character. You are solely a filler for the character outside of cutscenes. It's a fine line that it walks, however, I don't believe that it ever crosses into the field of RPG.

 

[Lemon Of Life]

I guess so. An RPG is all about creating your own character and they tend to feel more personal, as you designed them. You could argue that JRPGs also include building around your character by levelling him and spending points in his skills, but you don't have that same connection, as your are playing only that specific character with that specific role, not tailored to what you want, which is the essence of the definition of the genre.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

I agree with that. And if you don't, congratulations you have an opinion of your own. It's wrong, but your still entitled to it.

 

[Zero47]

That's actually a good point. Turned-based adventure gaming might be a better way to describe it.

Turn - Based Adventure Gaming? this could work guys.

The first RPG I ever played was FF 9, to me Oblivion was less of an RPG than FF XIII.

 

[Geo Da Sponge]

I also agree with that notion, but the issue is that there is no clear definition on what defines something as an RPG. Borderlands and Bioshock have "RPG elements" but they are merely levelling up systems and upgrades, if they count as RPG elements then the line is a little fuzzy.

Agreed. I get annoyed when inventory systems and levelling up mechanics are considered RPG elements.

 

[Shadow XXVII]

I totally agree. FF13 is as much of a RPG as Halo.