Role-playing games consist of different types of RPGs.
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 . 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 . Several varieties of RPG also exist in electronic media , such as multi-player text-based MUDs and their graphics-based successors , massively multiplayer online role-playing games ( MMORPGs ) .