🎲 What is a TTRPG?
“This is just a structured form of make-believe play acting, rather like when you played Cops & Robbers as a kid.” — Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook
If this is your first tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), relax! RPGs aren’t nearly as mysterious as you might think.
🎮 How is it Different from Video Games?
| Video Game RPG | Tabletop RPG |
|---|---|
| Computer controls the world | A human (the GM) controls the world |
| Limited choices (dialogue options) | Unlimited choices — say anything |
| Graphics show you everything | Your imagination creates the visuals |
| AI controls NPCs | GM roleplays all NPCs personally |
| Solo experience | Social experience with friends |
| Pre-written story | Story emerges from your decisions |
The Big Difference
In a video game, you pick from options the developers created. In a TTRPG, you can try anything you can imagine — the GM decides if it works.
🎭 What Do You Actually Do?
You Play a Character
You create a Character — a persona who exists in the game world. In Cyberpunk RED, this is an Edgerunner living in Night City in 2045. You decide:
- Who they are
- What they look like
- What they’re good at
- What motivates them
You Describe Actions
When it’s your turn, you describe what your Character does:
Example
GM: “Three large figures step out of the shadows. Moonlight glints off chrome cyberarms and drawn weapons.”
You: “I dive behind the dumpster and draw my pistol!”
GM: “Roll Evasion to see if you make it before they open fire…”
Dice Decide Uncertain Outcomes
When something could fail, you roll dice. High roll = success. Low roll = failure.
👥 Who’s Playing?
The Players (That’s You)
- Each player controls one Character
- You decide what your Character does and says
- You work together as a crew of Edgerunners
The Gamemaster (GM)
- One person runs the game
- Describes the world, locations, and situations
- Plays all the other characters (NPCs)
- Decides how the story responds to your choices
- Applies the rules fairly
🎬 What Does a Session Look Like?
A session is one play period, usually 2-4 hours. Here’s a typical flow:
-
GM sets the scene:
“The three of you have just entered Night City. It’s about nine at night, and the dark, windy urban streets are slick with rain…”
-
Players declare actions:
“Gron grabs the nearest street thug by the collar and growls, ‘Where’s the nearest bar?’”
-
GM describes results:
“The thug stammers and points down the alley. But you notice three large figures moving out of the shadows toward you…”
-
Dice are rolled when needed:
“Roll Perception to see if you spot their weapons before they reach you.”
-
The story continues based on determination
🎲 Do I Need to Dress Up?
No!
Although there are Live Action Role Playing games (LARPs) where people dress up, most TTRPGs are played sitting around a table. You imagine the scene described by the GM and verbally describe what your Character does. No costumes required.
"One of the best games we've ever heard about was played by a bunch of U.S. Army guys stuck in a slit trench in Iraq."
— Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook
🎯 Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Player | A person playing a Character |
| Character (PC) | The persona you control |
| GM (Gamemaster) | The person running the game |
| NPC | Non-Player Character — controlled by the GM |
| Session | One play period (2-4 hours) |
| Mission/Job | An adventure with a goal |
| Crew | Your group of Characters |
| Roll/Check | Using dice to determine success |
| d6/d10 | A six-sided or ten-sided die |
🚀 Ready to Play?
Now that you understand the basics, you’re ready to:
- How to Play — Learn the core game mechanic
- Roles — Choose what kind of Edgerunner you want to be
- Creation — Create your Character