In role-playing games, experience points are usually abbreviated as “XP.” But why not “EP”? The reason is provided by one of the main authors of Dungeons & Dragons.
What is the deal with experience points? Every role-player relies on them: experience points. They are earned through actions in the game and ensure that we gradually level up.
If one had to abbreviate the long word, it seems logical to say “EP.” Nevertheless, “XP” is considered the standard in the role-playing world. Why is that?
The main author of Dungeons & Dragons, the quintessential role-playing series, is responsible for that. In a recent interview, he revealed what “XP” is all about.
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A decision made in 20 minutes
How did “XP” come about? Lawrence Schick is a true veteran in the D&D world. Recently, he was involved as the lead author in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, many years prior, he worked alongside one of the creators of D&D, Gary Gygax, on early versions of the role-playing game.
Schick today recounts how he edited the first manuscript for the “Dungeon Master’s Guide.” He realized that the game needed an abbreviation for the cumbersome phrase “Experience Points,” translated to German as “Erfahrungspunkte.”
“EP” was obvious, but that abbreviation was already taken. Shortly before, Gary Gygax had added a currency called “Electrum Pieces.” Although only a few players used them, “EP” was already claimed.
Schick continues: “And so I faced the problem of finding an abbreviation for experience points, and I came up with XP and used it, and it stuck.”
On a random afternoon, Schick made up his mind about the new abbreviation in about 20 minutes. This would have repercussions.
The new standard was born
What happened next? Soon, the new abbreviation was also adopted by other tabletop publishers. Most games where characters can level up drew from D&D. Thus, “XP” quickly became the new standard, also used in other media, such as video games. D&D itself became very popular, with several movies and campaigns running for over 40 years.
Lawrence Schick is still not finished with his work. On the contrary: he is still busy developing and reinventing role-playing games.
“We have not yet found the limits, if there are any. We are still pushing outwards. That is what drives me to do these things, years after most of my colleagues have retired or passed away.”
The great success of Baldur’s Gate 3 surprised him, Schick says. Larian’s role-playing game managed to adapt the essence and allure of the D&D template for itself. Years earlier, the early parts of Baldur’s Gate were true role-playing gems. An author who was hired at Bioware by then had already played 20,000 hours of D&D.
