Role-playing games can be conducted through character acting.
A role-playing game ( sometimes spelled roleplaying game and abbreviated to RPG ) 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 . The original form , sometimes called the tabletop RPG , is conducted through discussion , whereas in live action role-playing games ( LARP ) players physically perform their characters actions .