The Role-Playing Games (RPG)s are a form of participative narrative. A group of players acquire a gaming scenario, a setting for the stories that they will tell together. The setting brings the world in which the stories will take place, the main characters, political factions, creatures and suggested tone for the narratives created. It could be a fantasy setting for epic adventures such as the ones depicted in "The Lord of the Rings", a science-fiction setting for exploration and adventure such as "Star Trek", a mystery setting for uncovering crimes and plots based on "Sherlock Holmes", horror stories of zombies and undead, super-heroes battling evil scientists etc. But RPG settings can move beyond make-believe worlds towards realistic scenarios based on historical events or contemporary issues, hence their applicability for educational purposes both in school and corporations.

In an RPG story the players created characters coherent with the setting chosen, elves and knights on Fantasy or pirates and musketeers in a 17^th century historical setting, and describe them with varying amount of detail. One participant, the game master (GM) will play the other characters, handle the script and coordinate the game session adjusting the storyline to the decisions and actions of the player. Thus the story will deviate from the original plotline unknown to the players. That is good; it enhances the interactivity of the experience allowing everyone to contribute to the story created. A game system stipulates what actions the characters can perform and their chances of success. There is often some room left to chance, usually in the form of dice rolls.

It is important to emphasize that RPG sessions are cooperative efforts. The players are not competing amongst themselves or against the Game Master (GM), but working together to overcome the challenges presented by the story. Granted, the GM works out the challenges and plays the characters' antagonists, but s/he purpose is to ensure that everyone has fun. In the case of RPG applied to education, the GM also strives to guarantee that the players apprehend the subjects planned.

RPG stories can be short, lasting one game session, or can be long, with each game session being the equivalent of a book chapter or a TV series episode. Therefore, allowing plenty of room for the development of game character and setting and players' creativity and social skills.