Extra Credits: Western & Japanese RPGs, Part 1

thanks for posting these, Dale! Extra Credits is an excellent series, and I follow it religiously. Great to see it @ GC!

Actually, as someone who really loves JRPGs, I don't think that JRPG fans are arguing that "theirs is the best example of role-playing," as much as they are just defending themselves against WRPG fans who look on JRPGs as not being worthy of the RPG moniker.

I've seen all the videos of Extra Credits on this subject, and they're basically saying the same thing, but in a kinder way: "There should be a new term for JRPGs," which sounds to me like they're saying that JRPGs aren't RPGs, which is something I cannot agree with.

Then again, I've never understood why people are so hung up on Extra Credits anyway.

I would say that if it's not around a table with people it's not worthy of the RPG moniker ;p
(I'll use CRPG for Computer/Console RPG.)

In RPG there's both role playing and game. If you cannot do either, it's not a RPG.
Playing a role means getting to chose what to say and how to say it, whether to be kind or threatening...
Gaming implies an experience involving meaningful interactions.

To me, JCRPG aren't RPG, they are rather contemplative experiences, mostly about watching a story unfold, whereas WCRPG are weak RPG, allowing you to build your own story, but most often with little consequences, within the limits of the game and at the expense of solid storytelling.

Guess I'll stick with RPG ;)