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In:Dialogue across Media
Edited by Jarmila Mildorf and Bronwen Thomas
[Dialogue Studies 28] 2017
► pp. 271–290

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Dialogue and interaction in role-playing games

Playful communication as Ludic culture

Published online: 19 January 2017
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ds.28.14may
Dialogue is central to role-playing games (RPGs). It serves multiple purposes, some of which are related to its functional role in mediating in-game clues or actions, some to the role of language in the collaborative construction of shared fantasy. The aim of this chapter is to identity the multiple functions dialogue has in role-playing games, and to provide illustrative examples and analyses of typical and inventive applications of dialogue in role-play. The examples are also chosen to highlight the similarities and differences between such RPG forms as table-top, pen-and-paper RPGs, larp or live-action role-play, as well as single-player and multiplayer, online computer role-playing games.
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