Rolista

Rolista is a term used in Spanish-speaking contexts to describe a person who participates in role-playing activities. It is formed from the word rol (role) and the suffix -ista, which denotes affiliation or practice. In this sense, a rolista is someone who identifies with or regularly engages in role-playing experiences.

In contemporary usage, rolista most commonly refers to players of role-playing games (juego de rol), including tabletop systems such as Dungeons & Dragons and other narrative-focused RPGs. The term is particularly common in Spain and in some Latin American communities, where it may be used alongside or interchangeably with rolero or jugador de rol. The emphasis of the term tends to be on the hobby and community aspect of role-playing rather than on professional activity.

Aspect variations and frequency of use can vary by region. Some speakers prefer the related term rolero, which is more widely recognized, while others adopt rolista to highlight the participant’s identity within the gaming community. In formal writing, more standardized phrases such as “role-playing game player” are often used.

As a proper noun, rolista also exists as a rare surname in certain areas. In onomastic references, it is noted as a less common family name with geographic distribution limited to specific communities.

See also: juego de rol, rol, rolero, jugador de rol.