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Tabletop role playing games were the first popular type of role playing games so when people talk about a role playing game (RPG) they often mean the type played on a tabletop. After other types of role playing, like LARP, play by mail and computer RPGs became popular, the term "tabletop" came into use for RPGs played on the table.
A tabletop game usually comes in the form of one or more books. RPG books contain both game rules and a description of the game background. Players use the book to help them design a character. Information about the character is recorded on a "character sheet". Early fantasy RPGs borrowed a lot from the stories of J.R.R. Tolkein, but there are now RPGs inspired by many science fiction and horror books and films.
One person, a game master or GM, controls the game, and portrays everyone that the players meet. Small models (usually 1 inch or 25mm high) are often used to show the position of characters and non-player characters. Conflict is resolved by referring to the rules and using various dice.
To learn about live action role playing read Chapter 3.