Apparently it stands for Computer, I guess to distinguish them from TTRPGs. Had to Google it because they never bothered to spell out the initialized term in the article.

I want to thank you for asking this question, and also explain why for the, "just google it" crowd.

I have believed for the last 10+ years that this meant combat-rpg. My ignorance would never have been fixed if someone hadn't asked the question in a place like this; I never would have googled the answer to a question I didn't have.

How many more serious questions out there would benefit from more discussion, rather than individual research?

Alright, take my soap box from me.

Computer RPG.

Basically old school RPGs.

It historically stands for computer RPG. Because back in the days of the first role playing games transferred to computers calculating the dice roles, damages and other attributes. It was the distinction to tabletop games. Nowadays there are so many RPGs that I find the distinction lacking. The better term now would be classic RPG, because there are many computer action adventure RPGs, whereas the tabletop approach digitalised, like bg3, RPGs refer to the initial or, in better terms, classical RPGs.

In game science studies it is taught as classic RPG, in contrast to the more "modern" RPGs like Mass Effect or The Witcher.

C is for cookie!

(Sorry, I know it's dumb but I could not refuse)

Computer.

Classic.