A saved game is a piece of digitally stored information about the progress of a player in a video game.
Electronic memory cards used explicitly for game saves, such as this one for the Sony PlayStation, were common during the 5th and 6th generation of consoles as read-only media became more popular.[citation needed] This method of storing game saves has been largely replaced in newer consoles by internal hard disk drives and solid-state drives.[citation needed]
A role-playing video game, a role-playing game (RPG) or computer role-playing game (CRPG), is a video game genre where the player controls the actions of a character immersed in some well-defined world, usually involving some form of character development by way of recording statistics. Many role-playing video games have origins in tabletop role-playing games and use much of the same terminology, settings, and game mechanics. Other major similarities with pen-and-paper games include developed story-telling and narrative elements, player character development, complexity, as well as replay value and immersion. The electronic medium removes the necessity for a gamemaster and increases combat resolution speed. RPGs have evolved from simple text-based console-window games into visually rich 3D experiences.
A party of characters approaching a monster in Legend of Grimrock (2012)
A party of adventurers in Tales of Trolls & Treasures (2002)
Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII is often seen as the "quintessential bishounen" in Japanese RPGs.
Bethesda Softworks' Fallout 3 booth at the Games Convention 2008