So, D&D is by far the most recognizable RPG and most people associate table-top gaming with the fantasy genre for that reason (elves, dragons, etc.) There are actually tons of other systems that deal with other genres and times (sci-fi, horror, modern, future, realistic, fantasy, whatever). Generally speaking, characters in an RPG go about some adventure and players roll dice (adding skill modifiers) when there is a chance for failure. The harder the accomplishment, the higher the roll (again, generally speaking). If you already knew this much, I apologize. The game we were playing takes place in the present- the immediate present. So much does it take place in the present, that players create characters that are supposed to mirror themselves (where you might normally play a half-orc sorcerer in D&D). The game begins with the characters sitting down to play a game, when all of the sudden there is a noise outside. The in-game host (me) goes outside to investigate and is swarmed by zombies. The players then have to decide how they are going to survive, knowing the contents of the place they are in, the relative distance to their homes, and the general area around them. I brought a map of the city we were in and they had to choose where to loot supplies, where might be safe, and who to save.