Portplayed

Portplayed refers to a specific type of role-playing game session or campaign that takes place within the context of a larger, established fictional universe, often one that is already popular and well-documented. This universe could be from a video game, a tabletop RPG setting, a book series, a movie franchise, or a television show. The key characteristic is that players and their Game Master (GM) are working within the established lore, characters, locations, and rules of this pre-existing world.

The term "portplayed" itself suggests "porting" or adapting elements from one medium or context into another, specifically for the purpose of role-playing. This differs from creating entirely new worlds or campaigns where the GM has complete creative freedom to invent all aspects of the setting. Instead, portplayed games leverage the existing narrative framework, which can provide a rich source of inspiration and a built-in audience familiarity.

Players in a portplayed game might take on the roles of existing characters from the source material, create new characters that fit within the established canon, or even explore storylines that run parallel to or interact with the original narrative. The GM's role is crucial in ensuring consistency with the source material while still allowing for player agency and emergent storytelling. This often involves a deep understanding of the chosen universe's history, culture, and power dynamics. Examples include playing Dungeons & Dragons in the Forgotten Realms, running a Star Wars campaign using the West End Games system, or a game set in the world of The Witcher.