What is an FRPG? An FRPG is a Fantasy or Fictional Role Playing Game. It is a game where players create characters, and then try to imagine what that character would do in a given situation set up by the person running the game -- called the "Gamemaster", or "GM". In many games, the character may have a specific "class", or calling/set of skills. In others, it is more free form. I consider "gaming", as it is called, to be a form of community story-telling. The GM creates a plotline and various scenarios; but the players actually write the script as they say what their characters might say, or have their characters take certain actions. In my experience as a GM, things have rarely gone completely as I planned it. This is not because of poor planning, but because I can never get "into the mind" of a character the way a good player can, and they constantly surprise me. This chance to express yourself and be creative is part of the draw of such games.
There are many types of FRPGs. The oldest, and the ones I am focussing on on this page, are called "pen and paper". Some are focussed on "swords and sorcery," such as the infamous Dungeons & Dragons (for more factual information about some of the myths about this game, click here). There are many other games out there in the same genre, though; and some are even explicitly Christian, such as Holy Lands and Dragonraid. Some games are far future oriented, and/or space based, like Star Trek and Traveller. Others are what is called "post-apocalyptic" -- in the near future, after a nuclear war, like in the movie "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome". Some of these games are ones like Gamma World, and Psiworld, and (with a very spoof-like attitude) Paranoia. There are even spaghetti Western games, like Boot Hill! Some, you really can't classify easily -- like Shadowrun.
My favorite type of game, by far, is the comic book superhero genre. There are several different ones (like Palladium's Heroes, ICE's Champions, DC Heroes, or Marvel Superheroes). Even within that genre you can have subdivisions like "four color" (my favorite), "dark hero", and "pulp fiction". Four color is your typical "Marvel" or "DC comic" style game -- only with original characters. Dark hero is in the style of the original "Dark Knight Detective" (Batman); pulp fiction can be like Dick Tracy, James Bond, or the Green Hornet. Each game has its own mechanics for creation and playing. Of the various superhero games, my favorite is Champions. It takes more effort in the beginning, but its flexibility and point system allow you to pretty much create exactly who you want, with whatever powers you want. Only the point level cut-off the GM decides on can stop some ideas, and that allows for game balance.
I have played and GM'd FRPGs since I was in high school (about 25 years, now). They have provided a source of creative outlet, shaped a couple of book outlines I have written, and given me many, many hours of fun with people. I do not currently play any pen and paper FRPGs, because they seem (particularly the Champions mode) to be out of style, here; but I look forward to playing again someday, or GMing a game. In the meantime, I play my favorite computer RPG (see the Freedom Force link!), design mods, and work on analyzing game design for several people in my spare time.