Is LitRPG really necessary?

[foxes]

Of course, this element itself can be very attractive, complex, relevant, and interesting. But is it really necessary to put him everywhere? Just think about what he does in your story. What function does he perform?

An artifact, a secretary-analyst, or its technological equivalent can replace the system that displays statistics and sets tasks for stories about building a kingdom. An survivalist's life support device can replace personal statistics with characteristics. An implanted chip, a robot assistant, a knowledge crystal, an alien ship, a magic screwdriver and so on. There are indeed many interesting combinations, but they end up in the wrong hands.

I feel like people have run out of imagination, and the "system" has become a convenient tool for filling these gaps. Are you ready to reveal and justify the existence of this very "system" so that it doesn't remain in the background forever like a convenient piano in the bushes? In the original works, this is the main focus of the story. Characters struggle with this system, create it, and migrate to virtual worlds... However, in most sequels, it is simply present.

Maybe we should create a special AltLitRPG genre for this? So that readers understand that this is not just an omnipresent system, but a complex story. Where the elements of LitRPG are wrapped in separate local elements. Perhaps this will not differ from a regular work without LitRPG. But then it will be clear to fans of this genre where the roots grow. This can be included in the book's synopsis.

 

[Anonjohn20]

But is it really necessary to put him everywhere?

I sort of agree with you that it's overused. I also miss training montages and effort, rather than just getting stronger due to a level up or immediately earning a skill one has never practiced before.

An artifact, a secretary-analyst, or its technological equivalent can replace the system that displays statistics and sets tasks for stories about building a kingdom. An embroiderer's life support device can replace personal statistics with characteristics. An implanted chip, a robot assistant, a knowledge crystal, an alien ship, a magic screwdriver and so on. There are indeed many interesting combinations, but they end up in the wrong hands.

This would still fall under the LitRPG genre. Any worldbuilding or "in universe logic" that resembles a tabletop role-playing game or video game is still under that genre.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

No

 

[JayMark]

It's magic by another name.
With more math.

 

[LesserCodex]

I will say, the litrpg system is not really necessary in most novels they just serve as a way to gauge power and growth but that in itself can be a crutch for the story leaving readers to question it's existence when it's all brought down to numbers or letters.

But if it serves a thematic role and purpose before, say your main character awakens or gains his class then yes it can be necessary if the world was always like this then at least explain why.

I believe it needs to have weight or feel like another character, not by making it sentient but by having, limits to it's power and existence. I've touched on this before in my story but basically I feel when you introduce a system you need to answer, why it exists, who it's for and what it can and can't do, and how the world does the things the system can't to balance this.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

It's magic by another name.
With more math.

More reason I hate it.
I hate math.

 

[foxes]

This would still fall under the LitRPG genre.

If your spacesuit has a built-in scanner that shows the chemical composition of objects and draws conclusions based on it, it's not LitRPG. Оr a weather monitoring system. Otherwise, we're already living inside a LitRPG. And its alternatives can practically replace most of the systems in LitRPG.

I'm giving you a serum of nano-bots that temporarily grants you the characteristics of a game character or a virtual-powered hero. Essentially, it's just a set of biological traits - a computer model and nothing more. This is not so far-fetched for our current reality with AI and gene scissors. And the other buff muscular dude will be without her and will look like a loser.

"The matrix" is not LitRPG

 

[BearlyAlive]

I never understood the hype anyway. LitRPG is (in my opinion!) a lazy device used by hack authors to somehow streamline their power systems or justify the random bullshit power-ups they give out like free candy. Prove me wrong, please. I dare you.

There were only a few litRPG stories where the "System" actually matters or is explained outside of "gaming system, right? You readers know how it works, so I, the author, don't need to think of something that fits the lore." And even less where it actually matters that it's your typical gaming system, or a cultivation system, or prestige, or whatever label you give your "numbers go brrr spreadsheet". And yes, I count cultivation novels as LitRPGs, fight me. I mean, you just replace the realms with levels, and the random bullshit abilities cultivators gain in each realm with skills/abilities/powers, and it's a turd by any other name. If it smells like a duck and quacks like a duck, then calling it an elephant doesn't make it any less delicious when grilled.

 

[foxes]

And yes, I count cultivation novels as LitRPGs, fight me.

"The Wandering Inn" - is definitely the benchmark for the genre. But there's a character who doesn't level up, doesn't gain any abilities or cultivation. Yet, he becomes stronger and defeats leveled-up opponents. There are certain items that aid in this.
I think the story itself has lost its way, but that's a different conversation.

If it smells like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Please let your plastic duck give birth.

 

[CountVanBadger]

I've wanted to write a litrpg for a while just because they're the easiest way to break into the webnovel market, but I refused to do what so many other authors are doing and just tack an rpg system to a normal fantasy story and call it a litrpg. I like litrpgs where the presence of a system is part of the plot and the worldbuilding itself. It wasn't until I came up with a setting and plot that I felt took full advantage of the fact that it's a litrpg that I was able to start working on XNPC.

 

[Anonjohn20]

If your spacesuit has a built-in scanner that shows the chemical composition of objects and draws conclusions based on it, it's not LitRPG. Оr a weather monitoring system. Otherwise, we're already living inside a LitRPG. And its alternatives can practically replace most of the systems in LitRPG.

Sure, but that's not really what you described. Let's go back to the statement I responded to...

An artifact, a secretary-analyst, or its technological equivalent can replace the system that displays statistics and sets tasks for stories about building a kingdom. An survivalist's life support device can replace personal statistics with characteristics. An implanted chip, a robot assistant, a knowledge crystal, an alien ship, a magic screwdriver and so on. There are indeed many interesting combinations, but they end up in the wrong hands.

...An artificial plot device like those really fits in the genre...

"The matrix" is not LitRPG

"The Matrix" is definitely not LitRPG, it's not even literature. Unfortunately, a case could be made for it to be an Isekai.

 

[foxes]

...An artificial plot device like those really fits in the genre...

Just like pink unicorns.