Gaining XP outside of battle

[Moonlight Bomber]

My current in-development game implements a duel system similar to the Suikoden series. Whereas the original Suikoden duels didn't award the winning duelist some sweet EXP, one RPG Maker 2000 game I've played, The Most Stupidest Game Ever, did. That game was my main inspiration for implementing.

The idea of gaining EXP outside of battle is viable for RPGs that have so many playable characters. Some players don't want to waste hours and hours manually grinding all playable characters to acceptable levels.

One way for a character to gain EXP outside battle is to get better and better at a certain specialization he/she is good at (not necessarily battle-oriented). This will work both story-wise and mechanics-wise. Story-wise, this enables character development. Mechanics-wise, this can unlock a hidden skill in battle or outside battle that is related to that specialization.

 

[Zoltor]

Most of those ideas I hate(they're way too extremely one sided, and abusable like nothing else), the only exception is side quests, that works

Now alternative is have different on map skills that effect objucts on a map(aka this could be like lock picking ability, a successful attempt gives XP for example) or you can have a in game achievement system.

Things like those, me personally, I'm going the side quest route, but I wouldn't be surprised if I created a achievement system as well in the end.

 

[Mikuri]

One of my friend once did a game where all the XP you could get came from special NPC around the world. This way he controlled at what level the player during all the game. It was simple, yet a very nice way to make sure balance ain't out of control and get outside the dev idea / difficulty curve.

Nicely made, it is a very unique gameplay style.