GRiP (Generic Role-playing for Internet Players) is a suite of personal gaming programs that give us all of the basic tools required to conduct a typical face-to-face role-playing session and combines with the power of networking so that we can quite literally play any role-playing game with anyone, anywhere in the world.

It accomplishes this by using the Internet, or a Local Area Network, to connect up to 8 players, each of whom is running iPC - GRiP’s freeware gaming client, to a host system running iGM - GRiP’s server and GM component (shareware at $35 US). These two, client and server, support the character sheets, maps, dice, tables, notes, diagrams and other tools we expect for a good role-playing session. Communications amongst the Game Master and Players takes place in an IRC-based chat window optimized for role playing via private whisper messages, interaction with one’s character sheet and through optional Voice Chat support using Roger Wilco or a similar utility.

Online role-playing, while not meant to replace traditional face-to-face gaming, actually offers a few benefits that are hard to match in the old pencil and paper setting. For one, GRiP takes full advantage of multimedia by allowing the GM to incorporate images, sounds, and any other type of media or file into your adventures. Any of these can then been sent to the players as needed during the course of a game, automatically opening and activating on the player's computer.

GRiP's private Whisper messages sent between players and the Game Master avoid the awkward note passing and distracting whispers that can accompany face-to-face games. Such messages are passed silently and are only seen by the intended recipient, unknown to the other players (although the Game Master, of course, sees all whispers!). Game Masters can even request secret, mandatory dice rolls from players, perfect for saving throws, and other nefarious purposes!

The suite is rounded out with iCS, the character sheet designer; GRiPnet, a free standing IRC (Internet Relay Chat) program; and iGS, used in conjunction with RPGrealms’ internet bulletin board to schedule gaming sessions.

One last word on the acronym: GRIP is RPGrealms’ official acronym for the suite, while GRiP seems to have crept in over the years amongst some of its fans, inspired no doubt by the logo. Use whichever suits your fancy.