April 26, 2024

4a What kind of game? Game Genres

The term “GENRE” means a class or category of artistic endeavor, or in this case, the type or category of game.

Genres are used to group similar types of games. There are dozens of video game genres. Many games fall under more than one genre. Genres can refer the type of device a game is played on, storyline or the gameplay.

Key genres include (but are definitely not limited to):

  • Action (first-person or third-person) shooter games (or simply shooters), players use ranged weapons to participate in the action, which takes place at a distance….. … First-person shooters are played within the protagonist‘s perspective; they often include a heads-up display displaying key information such as the current health of the protagonist … In third-person shooters, the protagonist’s body can be seen fully; the environment is rendered from a distance.
Example of a first-person shooter game.
  • Action-adventure games “ typically featuring long-term obstacles that must be overcome using a tool or item as leverage (which is collected earlier), as well as many smaller obstacles almost constantly in the way, that require elements of action games to overcome.”
Example of an adventure game scene where the character is on a quest.
  • Platform games “Players navigate their environment by jumping and climbing on platforms, while avoiding obstacles and battling enemies in order to advance. “
Example of a platform game.
  • Casual games. These games “have very simple rules or play techniques and a very low degree of strategy. They also require no long-term time commitment or special skills to play, making them easy to learn and play as a pastime.”
Example of a number of quick, easy casual games.
  • Simulation games. Games that simulate real life or a fictional/fantasy world. These types of games can include everything from building out an imaginary village to raising virtual creatures (whether they be cats or dragons) to car-racing games. 
Example of a simulation game where you care for a horse.
  • Logic games.  Games that require player to solve puzzles, find matching patterns/pairs or navigate challenges such as mazes.
An example of a logic game where you have to solve a code to advance in the game.
  • Collector games. Games where the goal is to find, collect or earn items
An example of a collector game where you earn items for your wigwam.
  • Graphic novel games. Games where the format and storytelling is done through the style of a graphic novel.
An example of screen in a graphic novel game.

Summaries and quotes above are from Wikipedia, which includes more on game genres than you probably want to know.