ComputerRPGs

ComputerRPGs are role‑playing video games that run on desktop or laptop computers, as opposed to consoles or mobile devices. They feature characters that evolve over time through skill trees, stat gains, and equipment upgrades, and typically simulate a fantasy or sci‑fi setting where player choices influence narrative outcomes. The genre derives its name from tabletop RPGs, especially Dungeons & Dragons, from which many mechanics are borrowed, such as character classes, turn‑based combat, and moral alignment systems.

The first commercial computer role‑playing games appeared in the mid‑1970s, with titles like Dungeon Master and the Ultima series. Early titles were largely turn‑based, grid‑based games that emphasized exploration and puzzle solving. The 1990s expanded the genre with real‑time combat, 3D graphics, and more open worlds, exemplified by the Fallout, Baldur’s Gate, and Diablo franchises. Since the 2000s, a shift towards open‑world, living environments and complex narrative branching has been seen in games such as The Witcher 3, Dark Souls, and Divinity: Original Sin 2.

Modern computer RPGs frequently employ advanced artificial intelligence for dynamic character interactions and procedurally generated content for replayability. The genre also spreads into online multiplayer, with MMORPGs like World of Warcraft providing persistent worlds, though they are distinct from single‑player computer RPGs. Many contemporary titles blend genres, mixing action, strategy, or visual‑novel elements to appeal to a broad audience. The continued popularity of computer RPGs demonstrates enduring interest in storytelling, character progression, and player agency within digital worlds.