I'm completely new to the concept of role playing games, and have sadly always perceived them as very board-game-oriented with a great emphasis on memorization of rules and lore. In other words, confining, procedural and uncreative.
But yesterday I came across the "Acquisitions Incorporated - PAX Prime 2013 D&D Game" episode, and I was thoroughly enjoying watching the two hours of it and continued with the 2014 episode.
The 2013 episode had a board, but 99.99% of the story was storytelling and imaginative. The 2014 episode was entirely without board/dungeon-type restrictions, and ventured through an open landscape, but had a more controlled linear narrative.
I've tried to search and read online about the different genres, but there's so much information and I'm not sure where to start.
What is this genre called? I love improvisational theater (or games, rather?) when it is practiced off-stage (i.e. playful storytelling between the group members without regard for an audience).
Is it pure D&D? Or a branch of it?
Also, bonus question (which borderlines to a 'recommendation question' which I realize are not welcome here, so feel free to ignore it): Is there a similar type, but with a more sci-fi approach?