Creativity Rules: How Rules Impact Player Creativity in Three Tabletop Role-playing Games

Abstract

This article sheds light on how different rules systems for tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs) impact players’ sense of creativity. It looks at three very different games played by six role-playing ensembles, and uses interviews and group discussions to make the players reflect on how they are influenced by the rules used during play. While the sometimes insular nature of TRPG gaming became evident, it was also clear that there are several different phenomena that occur in a TRPG that can be labeled as “creative”. Aiming to provide a tool for discussion on TRPGs, six different types of creativity is outlined in the article, as well as a number of different examples of the role that the rules play in influencing these.