Where can I learn the meanings of RPG terminology?

Question

Words like 'campaign', 'system', 'dX', etc. Is there a good web resource with them all on a single page?

Answer 1

The best way to learn the meanings of RPG terminology is from the introduction to the specific gaming book you're reading at the time

However, there are some useful glossaries on the web that cover industry-wide terms. Be advised that there are few standards and some games play fast and lose with established practice:

• http://www.theescapist.com/faq_terms.htm Has a brief, but illustrated glossary.
• http://www.boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/RPG_Glossary is a longer glossary.

Answer 2

Here are some good resources I have used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing_game_terms - Wikipedia RPG Game Terms

http://rpgtalk.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Terms - RPG Talk wiki - Terms

http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/RPG_Lexica:Main_Page - RPG Lexica - Probably the best of the 3

Answer 3

I've created Community Wikis here for both system-agnostic RPG terms and terms specific to Dungeons & Dragons. Hopefully these will grow soon, to help our users with this issue. Meanwhile, the websites referenced in the other answers here are also great resources.

Answer 4

The original comprehensive list was the venerable RPG Glossary that was hosted at the now-defunct Treasure Tables blog. Fortunately, it's been archived in the Wayback Machine:

• RPG Glossary

Several other sites have roleplaying glossaries that might eventually usurp the RPG Glossary:

• Gnome Stew's Gnomenclature: A (Not So) Diminutive Glossary (note that Gnome Stew was co-founded by the author of Treasure Tables)
• RPGGeek's RPG Glossary
• Darkshire's A Tabletop RPG Glossary