Editing Campaign setting

{{short description|Fictional environment setting for a role-playing game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{RPG}}
A '''campaign setting''' is a [[Setting (narrative)|setting]] for a [[tabletop role-playing game]] or [[wargame]] campaign. Most campaign settings are [[fictional worlds]]; however, some are historical or contemporary real-world locations. A ''[[Campaign (role-playing games)|campaign]]'' is a series of individual [[adventure (role-playing games)|adventure]]s, and a ''campaign setting'' is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Barton |first1=Matt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k1OWDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Campaign+setting%22+game&pg=PP1 |title=Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2e |last2=Stacks |first2=Shane |date=18 April 2019 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-351-27339-8 |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|page=30|quote=A series of interconnected adventures is called a campaign, and the shared setting of these campaigns is called a campaign setting}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Bjädefors Butler |first=Nikolai |date=2018 |title=From Rolling to Reading: An Analysis of the Adaptation of Narrative Between Role-Playing Games and Novels |url=http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8945073 |website=Lund University Publications}}</ref>{{Rp|page=|quote=Therefore a campaign setting denotes the storyworld that the role-playing game explores in order to construct a narrative through play...  campaign setting can be seen as the world in which the Game Master (GM) and players populate with their player characters and non-player characters|pages=12–13}} A campaign setting is typically designed for a specific game (such as the ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' setting for ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'') or a specific genre of game (such as [[historical fantasy]] or [[science fiction]]), though some come from existing media (such as movies, shows, novels, or comic books).<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=171}} There are numerous campaign settings available for purchase both in print and online. In addition, many [[game master]]s create their own, which are often called "homebrew" settings.

Examples of major campaign settings include the [[Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings]], [[World of Darkness]], the [[Star Trek]] science fiction universe,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Modiphius Announces 'Star Trek Adventures RPG 2E' |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56350/modiphius-announces-star-trek-adventures-rpg-2e |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Avatar: The Last Airbender]] fantasy world.<ref name="ign million">{{cite web |author=Moore, Jared Liam |date=2021-08-04 |title=Avatar & Korra Tabletop RPG Crowdfunds $1 Million in a Day |url=https://nordic.ign.com/the-last-airbender/48591/news/avatar-korra-tabletop-rpg-crowdfunds-1-million-in-a-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806082153/https://nordic.ign.com/the-last-airbender/48591/news/avatar-korra-tabletop-rpg-crowdfunds-1-million-in-a-day |archive-date=2021-08-06 |access-date=2021-08-06 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref>

==Types of setting==
{{See also|History of role-playing games}}
Some games and settings only appear together, such as ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay|Warhammer]].'' Some games have multiple settings, such as ''Dungeons & Dragons'' or generic roleplaying systems such as ''[[GURPS]]'' or ''[[Fudge (roleplaying game)|Fudge]].'' There are also stand-alone settings that can be used for multiple game systems. Often these are developed first for works of fiction, such as the ''[[Star Wars]]'' universe<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=WotC Product Library: Star Wars Roleplaying Game |url=http://www.wizards.com/catalog/product.asp?TSR11793 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602082716/http://www.wizards.com/catalog/product.asp?TSR11793 |archive-date=June 2, 2002 |publisher=wizards.com}}</ref> or ''[[Middle-earth]],''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Codega |first=Linda |date=2022-02-07 |title=The One Ring tabletop RPG is a cozy take on The Lord of the Rings |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22905204/lord-of-the-rings-rpg-one-ring-starter-set-review |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> then later adapted to one or more role playing systems. However, some system-agnostic settings are designed explicitly for gaming, such as [[Hârn]].<ref name="designers">{{Cite book |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=Designers & Dragons |publisher=Mongoose Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-907702-58-7}}</ref>{{rp|182}}

Games scholar Nikolai Butler distinguished two types of campaign settings, homebrewed and official.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=|quote=Campaign settings generally come in two variations: homebrewed or official.|pages=13}} According to games journalist [[David M. Ewalt]], established campaign settings have the advantage of providing a wealth of material written by professional game designers. When creating a homebrew setting "you're on your own - but without limits and preconceptions", which can lead to more interesting games as the game master may be "more invested in the material and passionate about its development".<ref>{{cite book |first=David M. |last=Ewalt |author-link=David M. Ewalt |year=2013 |title=Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play It |publisher=Scribner |pages=223–224 |isbn=978-1-4516-4052-6}}</ref>

== Early history of genres (1970s-1990s) ==
{{See also|Tabletop role-playing game#Campaign settings}}

===Fantasy===
{{See also|Category:Fantasy role-playing games}}
The first role-playing settings from the early 1970s (such as ''[[World of Greyhawk]]'' and ''[[Blackmoor (campaign setting)|Blackmoor]]'') were based on works in the fantasy [[literary genre]] by authors such as [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] and [[C. S. Lewis]]. As a result, common fantasy elements in campaign settings include [[magic (gaming)|magic]] and supernatural/mythological creatures, such as [[dragon]]s, [[elf|elves]], [[dwarf (folklore)|dwarves]] and [[orc]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ewalt |first=David M. |author-link=David M. Ewalt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NTtoAAAAQBAJ |title=Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play It |publisher=Scribner |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4516-4050-2 |location=New York |pages=103–104 |oclc=800031925}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gary Gygax - Creator of Dungeons & Dragons |url=http://archives.theonering.net/features/interviews/gary_gygax.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206212135/http://archives.theonering.net/features/interviews/gary_gygax.html |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |work=TheOneRing}}</ref> The worlds in these games usually have a level of technology similar to that of [[Middle Ages|medieval Europe]]. Over the decades since, fantasy role-playing has evolved and expanded tremendously, developing sub-genres such as [[:Category:Dark fantasy role-playing games|dark fantasy]], [[High Fantasy (role-playing game)|high fantasy]], and [[:Category:Science fantasy role-playing games|science fantasy]].

Games such as ''[[Ars Magica]]'' popularized fantasy set within elements of real-world history.<ref name="reason">[http://www.redcap.org/page/World_of_Darkness "World of Darkness"] section of the ''Ars Magica'' FAQ. Retrieved 16 June 2013.</ref> Subsequent games updated this concept further, bringing fantasy gaming into the present day with [[urban fantasy]] (such as ''[[Mage: The Ascension]]'') or into the future with [[cyberpunk]] (e.g. ''[[Shadowrun]]'').

===Science fiction===
{{See also|Category:Science fiction role-playing games}}
'''Science fiction''' settings typically take place in the future. Common elements involve futuristic technology, contact with alien life forms, experimental societies, and space travel. [[Psionics (role-playing games)|Psionic]] abilities (i.e. [[Extrasensory perception|ESP]] and [[telekinesis]]) often take the place of magic. Similar to [[science fiction]] literature and film, the game genre contains sub-genres such as [[:Category:Cyberpunk role-playing games|cyberpunk]], [[:Category:Space opera role-playing games|space opera]], and [[:Category:Steampunk role-playing games|steampunk]].

Science fiction settings for role playing were introduced with ''[[Metamorphosis Alpha]]'' in 1976—dungeon adventuring on a "lost starship"<ref>{{cite web |date=12 April 2024 |title=Para Bellum Consulting Purchases James M. Ward's Metamorphosis Alpha |url=https://www.enworld.org/threads/para-bellum-consulting-purchases-james-m-ward%E2%80%99s-metamorphosis-alpha.703613/ |website=www.enworld.org}}</ref>—and in 1977 soon followed with ''[[Traveller (role-playing game)|Traveller]]'', a [[space opera]] game. Its ''[[Imperium (Traveller)|Third Imperium]]'' setting covered multiple worlds and [[Extraterrestrials in fiction|alien]] races.<ref name="appelcline2016">{{Cite book |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=The Science Fiction in Traveller |date=2016 |publisher=Far Future Enterprises |isbn=978-1-55878-049-1 |location=USA}}</ref> ''[[Gamma World]]'', introduced in 1978, explored the replacement of traditional elements of fantasy settings with the [[Pseudoscience|pseudo-scientific]] elements of [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic fiction]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Brief History of the Future |url=http://www.think-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=264:a-brief-history-of-the-future&catid=49:doomsday&Itemid=34 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120133141/http://www.think-magazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=264%3Aa-brief-history-of-the-future&catid=49%3Adoomsday&Itemid=34 |archive-date=2010-11-20 |access-date=7 November 2017 |website=Think Magazine}}</ref> Due to the success of ''[[Star Wars]]'', and the franchise's impact on popular culture, many science fiction settings were introduced or adapted during the 1980s. Such settings often involved detailed accounts of military and/or trading operations and organizations.

===Historical===
{{See also|Category:Historical role-playing games}}
'''Historical''' games are set in the past of Earth. Historical settings explored in 1980s-1990s roleplaying games include [[Pendragon (role-playing game)|Pendragon]] ([[Matter of Britain|Arthurian]]), [[Sengoku (role-playing game)|Sengoku]] ([[Sengoku period|Japanese warring states]]), [[Recon (role-playing game)|Recon]] ([[Vietnam War]]), and [[Tibet: The Roleplaying Game|Tibet]] (historical [[Tibet]]).

===Horror===
{{See also|Category:Horror role-playing games}}
Horror settings such as ''[[Call of Cthulhu (role-playing game)|Call of Cthulhu]]'' were first introduced in the early 1980s, creating a hybrid of fantasy horror and modern thrillers. These settings tended to focus on organizations and societies in which generally normal people fight against malevolent [[supernatural]] entities. Another style of horror game reversed the roles, with player characters acting as supernatural creatures, such as [[vampires]] and [[werewolves]]. This style was popularized in the 1990s by [[White Wolf, Inc.|White Wolf]]'s [[Vampire: The Masquerade]] and [[World of Darkness]].<ref name="appelcineWW1">{{cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |date=2007 |title=A Brief History of Game #11: White Wolf, Part One: 1986-1995 |url=http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory11.phtml |access-date=September 17, 2015 |publisher=RPG.net}}</ref> Early campaign settings that combine horror and fantasy elements include the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' settings ''[[Ravenloft]]'' and ''[[Ghostwalk]]''. The D&D ''[[Heroes of Horror]]'' sourcebook also provided ways to emphasize horror elements within a more typical fantasy milieu.

==See also==
*[[Fantasy world]]
*[[List of campaign settings]]
*[[List of fictional universes]]
*[[Campaign (role-playing games)]]
*[[Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings|''Dungeons & Dragons'' campaign settings]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Campaign settings| ]]
[[Category:Role-playing game terminology]]

[[de:Spielwelt]]