LitRPG is Literary Role Playing Games. It is a subset of progression stories, stories where characters grow stronger and develop. In LitRPG the growth is measured through increased stats as would be seen in a role-playing game and it is integral to the story. If there are blocks of stats in the text it is considered crunchy. The stories can be fantasy, science fiction, as well as horror or another genre as long as there is a game mechanic progression. There are many subdivisions. A discussion of a few of these subdivisions follows. The suggestions are examples I have read over the past few years since I found the related genres, it is not a complete list set in any manner.
Progression stories
At the heart of these stories, the characters grow stronger and develop through some pathway. They may cultivate chi, gain experience, absorb energy, gain better magic or cards, or through another system. LitRPG stories typically progress using standard role-playing game mechanics for development.
Cultivation
Cultivation stories are not LitRPG, but they are closely related. The mechanics often draw from Eastern teachings related to improving health through meditation. The characters get stronger as they clear the channels and nodes in their bodies by circulating Chi. Cultivators are often associated with alchemists and gatherers to obtain medicines, plants, and animal cores which can ease their development path. The exact path can vary from relatively simple circulation of energy to more complex layering of bodily enhancement through stages from simple body enhancement to gaining practical immortality.
Examples: A Thousand Li by Tao Wong; Unintended Cultivator by Eric Dontigney; The Metier Apocalypse by Frank G. Albelo, Beware of Chicken by Casual Farmer
GameLit
This is a subset of LitRPG that involves being part of a gameworld but may not involve the standard game stat progression. Characters may grow or not, so it is not a complete union with progression stories.
Examples: Guardians of the Flame by Joel Rosenberg; Ready Player One by Ernest Cline; Tallrock by Xander Boyce
Deck Builders
In these stories the magic or action is related to decks similar to the Collectable Card Games such as Magic the Gathering,Dominion, and Pokémon. The cards maintain rarity, levels, and powering. The action is typically turn-based.
Examples: All the Skills by Honour Rae, The Alchemist Series by Vasily Mahenenko, and In the System series by Petr Zhguyov
4x Lit
These stories take on more game management driving the story. The main character is forced to compete with others in a top level sometimes godlike role. The view of the world may take on a hex appearance.
Examples: CivCEO by Andrew Karevik, Magic Kingdom at War by Tao Wong, and Civilization: Barbarians by Tim Underwood
Haremlit
These progression stories include developing harems. Typically there are several women in a relationship with a male main character. There are reverse harem stories which have several men with a female lead. The dynamics of the relationship are a major plot point. The sex scenes may be on or offscreen. I don’t have a lot of experience with this genre.
Examples: Eternal Dominion by Bern Dean, Level Up! by Simon Archer, Aether’s Revival by Daniel Schinhofen
Virtual Games
Games are a natural match to LItRPG as the progression and stats are part of the gaming system. These stories are often game playing often focusing on a new launch as players scramble to do well. In many of these stories, the economy has moved online and players can use game gains in real life. Another major story type is “trapped in the game.” The plot revolves around surviving and eventually escaping.
Examples: Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon by Matt Dinniman, Light Online by Tom Laracombe, Limitless Lands: The Commander’s Tale by Dean Henegar, The World Series by Jason Cheek, Ascend Online by Luke Chmilenko, Bushido Online: the Battle Begins by Nikita Thorn, Koyesta Online: Early Access by John Cressman
Isekai/Portal Fantasy
Stories where the main character gets sent to another world. If they go through a hole and remain themselves it is a portal fantasy. If a person wakes up in another world and are not in their old body is an isekai. If a person dies after being hit by a truck, it is a truck-kun. The adventures they have vary from that start point. But the characters will see some form of progression and it may be either a system style or cultivation development path.
Examples: Beware of Chicken by Casualfarmer, Rise of the Cheat Potion Maker by Alvin Atwater, Azarinth Healer by Rhaegar
Regression
These are stories where the main character is sent back in time with future knowledge. They are often on a mission to change something to make the future better. These are often tied to a system apocalypse style story or a tower climb. They often feature rapid growth as the characters know the exploits or how to achieve world firsts.
Examples: Eternal Dominion by Bern Dean, Tower Climber by Jacob Tanner, Reborn Apocalypse by LM Kerr
Cozy and Crafting
Not every story needs to fight the big bad. For the times when you need the lighter tales there are stories where people just want to get away. Maybe have a cup of coffee or settle down on a farm.
Examples: Cozy Isekai Craftsman: Lockwood by Blaise Corvin, Light Online by Tom Laracombe, Blade’s Rest by Tom Watts, Casual Farming by Wolfe Locke, Artisan and Trader Jim’s by Jason Hill, Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, Clearing: Legendary Farmer by Elizabeth Oswald, One Moo’r Plow by Exemplar Invictus
Space and science based
Not all progression stories are fantasy. Sometimes aliens arrive and change the world because they need Earth’s resources or just hate humanity. Technology advances are often driven by nanites.
Examples: Inheritance by Morgan Cole, Drone Ensign by Kyle Johnson, Condition Evolution by Kevin Sinclair, Rise of Mankind by Jez Cajiao, First Line of Defence by Benjamin Kerei
Apocalypse
These are tales of the world ending. The advent of magic or a system is typical. In some cases mana ruins technology, while in others technology still works but monsters kill off a lot of humanity. These stories are often adapting to the new world, but may include planning revenge on the system creators.
Examples: The System by Tao Wong, Foundations by Cale Plamann, AI Apocalypse: Restart by J. David Baxter, Sponsored Apocalypse by Blaise Corvin, Fort at the End of the World by Justin Marks, and of course Dungeon Crawler by Matt Dinniman
Tower Climber
Sometimes our heroes delve dungeons and other times they reach for the skies. Heroes in these stories are trying to reach the top. The floors are often not contained in a physical tower, but are a series of portals to floors that can vary greatly in size. The tower floors are places which offer a great opportunity for growth and loot. The story may be almost solely in the tower or may be a mix of time in the tower and outside.
Examples: Towers of Heaven by Cameron Milan, Speed Runner by Adam Elliott, Guild Master by Ivan Kal, Tower Climber by Jakob Tanner, Foundations by Cale Plamann, The Change: A Livestreamed Dungeon Crawl by Shane Purdy
Zeros
Sometimes characters are completely nerfed. Level 0 characters often have limited skills and abilities, but if they pull off a major feat, they can have major advantages. This can also apply to people trapped at a low level due to a weird class or special circuimatance.
Examples: Alpha Zero by Arthur Stone, Zero Ranker by Cobyboy, Light Online by Tom Laracombe, and Dissonance by Nicoli Gonnella, Ultimate Level 1 by Shawn Wilson
There are a ton of stories out there. Many in development. You can find a lot of material on Royal Road. I tend to use Kindle Unlimited. When you find a subset you like, a search can find you even more. Enjoy!
Bill Lawhorn
Capclave 2024 Chair