LitRPG

Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Publishing and Book

LitRPG
Stands forLiterary role-playing game
CategoriesArts & Entertainment

LitRPG stands for Literary role-playing game, a publishing and book abbreviation.

Fiction subgenre in which characters live inside game-like worlds with visible stats, levels and skills described in the text. Readers follow the hero's progression as in an RPG.

Example: In this LitRPG series, every chapter ends with the hero's new stat sheet.

Usage notes

The term emerged in Russia in the early 2010s and spread through English self-publishing and Kindle Unlimited. Dungeon Crawler Carl is a popular example. Closely related "progression fantasy" emphasizes power growth without explicit game mechanics.

More publishing and book abbreviations

  • ISBN – International Standard Book Number
  • ISSN – International Standard Serial Number
  • KDP – Kindle Direct Publishing
  • KU – Kindle Unlimited
  • LCCN – Library of Congress Control Number
  • LCS – Local comic shop
  • MC – Main character
  • MG – Middle grade
  • MMC – Male main character
  • MMPB – Mass-market paperback
  • MS – Manuscript
  • MSS – Manuscripts

See all 42 publishing and book abbreviations →