This article takes the concepts of 'paidea' type play, game rules, simulation and agency, to discuss the rules of pen-and-paper roleplaying. These similarities make it possible to take some theoretical concepts and notions developed for computer games and use them to study roleplaying games. Pen-and-paper roleplaying games, like computer games, are in their essence rule-based simulation 'engines' that facilitate playful interaction.
On the Role of the Die: A brief ludologic study of pen-and-paper roleplaying games and their rules by Joris Dormans
