What is LitRPG and why you should start reading it

Literary Role Playing Game (or LitRPG for short) is a type of fiction writing that mixes RPG elements with science fiction and fantasy literary novels. It was based on early novels of the type in South Korea, like The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor. It then gained popularity among Russian readers and writers, where EKSMO (a major Russian publisher) released a title birthing the LitRPG name and making it an official literary genre in 2013.

Since then, it has been gaining popularity in America, with various titles being released by independent authors on Amazon. But what exactly is the result of mixing RPG, fantasy and science fiction?

Picture a Matrix-type reality, where you log in using a high-tech apparatus from the real-world. But instead of being Neo, you are basically entering a world where multiple players interact, have quests to complete and level up according to their class and experience gained; basically, LitRPG revolves around the story of a character using some sort of virtual reality device to enter a Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) RPG, where he can build and level up its virtual equivalent. The movie Ready Player One is a great example of the LitRPG world and overall environment. The major difference from the movie, however, is that the character is generally trapped in that virtual reality, and looking for ways to get out by completing quests, leveling up or interacting with NPCs.

Some LitRPG, like Warlock: Reign of Blood and The Way of the Shaman series transports the character-player to a more ‘traditional’ fantastic setting, based on tabletop RPG games such as D&D, where you can fight dragons, cast spells and command armies carrying sword and shields to defeat the enemy. Others, like Lost in Space, take a more sci-fi approach. The genre can accommodate every background scenario and every fantasy-type world, hence its increase in popularity on Amazon, with more than 200 books related to this new literary category.

What does reading a LitRPG feels like?

The first time I came in contact with a LitRPG novel was totally by accident. I was looking for narrative tips in the game design industry and found the author Edwin McRae, which not only is a narrative game designer but had just released a new book with this genre (The Chaos of Corruption Saga). Since then, I’ve been looking for references, new styles and different world settings in LitRPG. It is safe to say I’m hooked to the genre.

My first LitRPG novel as a reader felt a little bit strange. It basically feels as you are watching a Twitch/Youtube streamer broadcasting its latest game build. The narrative descriptions and dialogs were constantly mixed with RPG notifications aimed at the characters, like:

Congratulations! Your Fireball Skill has improved to level 7. You now have an increased reach of 14 meters, and the resulting fire can no longer be put out by non-magical means.

However, the strangeness was quickly replaced by the joy of seeing a character level up and unlock new abilities. As an avid RPG player myself, my sense of adventure was more than satisfied with reading what looked like a narrated D&D session, with the only difference being that you do not control the actions of the player.

Should I start reading LitRPGs?

If you like the fantasy genre and RPG titles, absolutely! It contains RPG elements and mechanics wrapped around an action-based narrative. I think the genre is particularly interesting if you, like me, was a D&D player (or other RPG titles) but now has little time too spare on such a time-consuming hobby. You can get the same elements that drive an engaging RPG session, without the character preparation, build or choices.

The genre is quite new and is still discovering itself, with many of its authors being independent, first-time writers. There are attempts to create guidelines on what a LitRPG narrative should look like, but there is still much to be designed and tried before settling in as “official”. While there are many more titles being released every year, the overall narrative quality is still low comparing to other genres. But it is just a matter of time before these new authors become seasoned ones, leveling up their writing skills and creating better stories.

Based on the titles published so far, I see LitRPGs as a way for writers to explore and stretch their creative muscles, since the genre involves somewhat opposite backgrounds (sci-fi and D&D fantasy), mixed with pretty much any other creative influences the writer desires. Want pirates with magic? You got it! High-tech treasure hunters from a society derived from corn? No problem!

Being a narrative-driven person myself, I also look at the genre as a possibility to discuss fundamental philosophical questions, such as the ones placed by series like Black Mirror or Westworld. If an inanimate being (robots in Westworld, NPCs in LitRPGs) looks like and for all intents and purposes behaves like a real person, can we say they are conscious?

Another gateway for discussion that could emerge in the genre is media interaction (how do experiences in a highly realistic virtual scenario affect real-world decisions?), social inequality (how a player with less money/equipment in this virtual world would behave and be accepted by their peers?). I’m sure these and many others will emerge, lifting the genre to something more “serious” than simply watching gameplay unfolding before the reader.

Regardless of future possibilities, litRPGs are all about action, increasing power, and specials skills while fighting monsters, high-tech robots/AIs or even society as a whole. Why would you turn that down?

Should I start writing LitRPGs?

Yes! For many of the reasons mentioned earlier. Since the genre is new, fans of it are always eager to read new titles and welcome new authors. If you have a dream (like myself) of writing a novel, writing it as a LitRPG can be an amazing way of actually getting it done, as well as getting an honest group of reviewers that actually will help your title. For those tickled by the writing bug, I do suggest a few tips below on starting it:

• If you lack the time or need someone to hold you accountable for finishing your book, I would very much recommend writing a LitRPG novel during the NaNoWriMo Challenge. You can get people that will support you while taking this huge task that is writing your novel. It is also a good way to spread the word on this new genre.
• Even though there is no particular standard to follow when writing a LitRPG, there are a few guidelines discussed by the community, as a newcomer writer in this world, it is reasonable to start you novel by following those as much as possible. They are all well summarized in the LitRPG Podcast website, and below are the 2 main points that most writers agree on while interacting with the genre:
• 1) The story has to exist inside a game world, following some (or all) RPG game mechanics. How much of these mechanics appear to the characters in this world and how they affect it is up to the writer.
• 2) The main character progresses and acquires new skills only through in-game mechanics.

What is the difference between LitRPG and an Interactive Narrative (Gamebooks)?

While this seems a little obvious to those who already read LitRPGs, I faced this question myself before getting into the genre. The answer is simple: in interactive narratives, you are the player. Your decisions affect what is going on in the world, or at least tries to influence it; in LitRPGs, on the other hand, you are a mere spectator, watching the main character play a highly realistic virtual game, following game mechanics. You can root for the main character and rejoice in his newly acquired skills and build choices, but you don’t interact with the story.

What books should I start reading?

The genre is new, yes, but it is gaining popularity every day and with it comes good and bad titles. I made a (very) small list below recommending books praised by the LitRPG community so that you can start in the field with the right foot. As you will see from the list, most books are actually part of a larger series, so you will have plenty to read and get to know the details of this new fantasy-based genre.

Survival Quest (The Way of The Shaman Book Series) by Vasily Mahanenko

Picture Barliona, a whole virtual MMO world where players spend time fighting monsters and full of magical elements. The game is addicting that many spending months straight on it, upgrading their character. It is a gamers' paradise. But, for some people, prisoners in the real world, the game is also a personal hell designed for them to serve their time and face their survival quest.

Warlock: Reign of Blood (Chasms of Corruption Saga) by Edwin McRae

Mark, the main character, finds himself trapped in the Virtual Reality game Reign of Blood, which takes place in a world filled with magic, reivers and ancient ruins that are threatening the very existence of its NPC inhabitants. But this game presents more than that; for Mark at least, the NPC are actually behaving like real human beings. Is he going mad? Are the NPCs former players that got trapped in the game before him?

Catharsis (Awaken Online Series) by Travis Bagwell

The story is based on a high school where the rich bully the poor students. In particular, one of them, Jason, is kicked out by the son of a top executive game company. To cope with his expulsion, Jason buries himself in an online game striving for success as a Necromancer, where he quickly gains fame and power. He eventually gets to face his bully in the virtual world, where being the son of a huge game executive grants him a few perks as a beta tester. Will Jason defeat his enemy?

There are many more books available on the market, but these ones, in general, are interesting for representing what the genre is and give some insights on what it can be.

Enjoy your reading!

Originally published at https://www.thelearningtab.com.