Poll: Why do RPGs absolutelly need character creators?

[Sewblon]

In one of the other user's Borderlands review he said that Borderlands is not an RPG because it does not have a character creator, he wasn't the first on this website to declare that all RPGs must have character creators. Am I the only one who doesn't understand that? 99% of RPGs from Japan don't have character creators and neither of the Diablo games had character creators, if none of those games are RPGs, what are they? Someone please enlighten me.

 

[dsmops2003]

No character creators are not needed to be RPG. Case in point ANY CONSOLE GAME EVER.

 

[Cherry Cola]

They don't need it. People who think "An RPG is only an RPG if I can play as a character I created" do not understand RPG's.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

They don't need them. They're nice to have as it allows you to customise your character to suit you and make the game a more personal experience. However the term "RPG" just means the style of game, not what it's components are.

 

[Danny Ocean]

They're nice, and I'd much rather a game had one than not. But I suppose they aren't necessary.

 

[Communist partisan]

It don't need caracter creator example fable was counted as a RPG but you don't make you're caracter.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

i voted no,
but that said; its nice to have

 

[DuplicateValue]

It's not necessary, but it helps with immersion.

 

[Axeli]

They don't need character creation.

[sub]And Borderlands has none? You can customize your colors, that's enough for me! We don't have to go all Oblivion and stuff[/sub]

EDIT: RPG stands for 'Role Playing Game', which means you play as a character, doing all his/her actions.
Nothing more, nothing less

Actually, no. Tabletop RPGs are about that by definition, but the video game genre is only defined by having similar gameplay/stat mechanism.
RPG games can have some RP elements (though with all the technical limitations...), but it's not at all required to be classified an RPG.

 

[Jandau]

Not needed. Many great RPGs have no character creation, and not just JRPGs. Witcher for instance has none, and it is most certainly an RPG, and a damn good one at that. Gothic 3 and Risen had none either. Vampire: Bloodlines had no character creation, but rather a pick between several premade characters.

Creating your own character is a nice option, but doesn't fit into every game and doesn't help every game. Also, anyone claiming that a game that has no character creation can't be an RPG is an idiot.

 

[willard3]

They don't need it. People who think "An RPG is only an RPG if I can play as a character I created" do not understand RPG's.

Or they've only played Western RPGs.

Or worse, they've only played Oblivion and Fallout 3, heard they were called "teh RPGs", and immediately assumed that all other RPGs are extremely similar.

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

Not needed. Many great RPGs have no character creation, and not just JRPGs. Witcher for instance has none, and it is most certainly an RPG, and a damn good one at that. Gothic 3 and Risen had none either. Vampire: Bloodlines had no character creation, but rather a pick between several premade characters.

Creating your own character is a nice option, but doesn't fit into every game and doesn't help every game. Also, anyone claiming that a game that has no character creation can't be an RPG is an idiot.

I voted 'yes' but at heart I know the answer is 'no'. It just makes a game so much better for me. The Witcher and Vampire, The Masquerade: Bloodlines were two of my all-time favourite games where I thought a character creator could have raised their score from a 9.0 to a 10.0. It was also one of the things that put me off of Risen.

I think the logic works something like this: If you're going to invest a lot of time and emotion guiding a character through challenges and putting yourself in their shoes, it feels a lot more rewarding if the character is your own creation and not somebody else's. At least for me it goes something like that.

 

[Paragon Fury]

RPGs need character creators so that Batman and the Drunken Scott can go on so many different adventures.



No, they really don't need character creators. They're nice, but not nessacary.

 

[Joeshmoe5]

I 99% of RPGs from Japan don't have character creators and neither of the Diablo games had character creators, if none of those games are RPGs, what are they? Someone please enlighten me.

99% of rpgs that come from japan suck by the way. but thats beside the point, games dont need charecter creators but its nice to have

 

[JourneyThroughHell]

It don't need caracter creator example fable was counted as a RPG but you don't make you're caracter.

Fable is an action adventure game, anyone who says otherwise needs to be shot.

I actually agree but overreacting much?

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

No. If you like jRPGs, and I do, then you know it can just be about the story, rather than making it your own story.

Games tell a story, it doesn't necessarily have to be the player's chosen story. It's not like every book you read and film you watch has an "Insert yourself as the main character" option.

 

[Hiphophippo]

I prefer there to be one, but no it isn't needed. Provided the developers can come up with a compelling protagonist who am I to complain?

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

I voted no...

Why they have them is simple, they are meant to create a more stronger bond between you and the main character seeing you... well... created him. Often it is a pointless exercise though, throw some armour on and you look identical no matter what you do. Even if you create something pretty to look at and it isn't covered with armour there really is no benefit or disadvantage to how you create your character so without it nothing is lost.

It is the reason why, when I put a character builder in, it matters. Making a muscle bound character will allow you to carry more weight and hit harder but you will have larger hit boxes compared to the little twig of a character.