The Elements of Game Design—Part 04 Gaming & Simulation Mr. Tillery Orlando Technical Center

1.2 Game Genres

1.2.1 Introduction

The term "genre" means a particular type or style. The term "genre" means a particular type or style. You may have heard the term in conjunction with movies, which are divided into genres such as action, comedy, romance, etc. You may have heard the term in conjunction with movies, which are divided into genres such as action, comedy, romance, etc. Computer games have become similarly classified into broad genre categories, such as Shooter, Action, Adventure, etc, and a number of sub-genres. Computer games have become similarly classified into broad genre categories, such as Shooter, Action, Adventure, etc, and a number of sub-genres. Usually the genre a game falls into is very clear, but there are times where the distinction can be blurred. Usually the genre a game falls into is very clear, but there are times where the distinction can be blurred.

Categorizing games within genres is helpful because it helps identify the market for the game. Categorizing games within genres is helpful because it helps identify the market for the game. A First Person Shooter has a certain audience, and a Role Playing Game has another audience. A First Person Shooter has a certain audience, and a Role Playing Game has another audience. It helps game publishers and developers to think in terms of genres, because by judging the size and demographic of the audience for a particular game, they can allocate appropriate development funds according to how much they hope to make from the sale of the game. It helps game publishers and developers to think in terms of genres, because by judging the size and demographic of the audience for a particular game, they can allocate appropriate development funds according to how much they hope to make from the sale of the game.

From the point of view of gamers, genre categories help them identify the types of games they like. From the point of view of gamers, genre categories help them identify the types of games they like. If you played a certain game and enjoyed it, you want to find similar games to play in the future. If you played a certain game and enjoyed it, you want to find similar games to play in the future. Genres are a convenient descriptive way to help players find the games they like to play. Genres are a convenient descriptive way to help players find the games they like to play.

From a development standpoint, each genre requires a different set of development criteria, different game engines, and different ways of integrating the art assets. From a development standpoint, each genre requires a different set of development criteria, different game engines, and different ways of integrating the art assets. A company that has developed an efficient pipeline for an adventure game may not want to build an aviation simulator for their next game since it would almost be like starting over from scratch. A company that has developed an efficient pipeline for an adventure game may not want to build an aviation simulator for their next game since it would almost be like starting over from scratch. Game engines that are adept at First Person Shooters would probably not be very good at racing games. Game engines that are adept at First Person Shooters would probably not be very good at racing games.

Historically, genres come about and become defined by the groundbreaking games that splash onto the scene and establish the new genre. Historically, genres come about and become defined by the groundbreaking games that splash onto the scene and establish the new genre. By way of example, when Wolfenstein was first introduced, it was considered to be a new sub- genre of the Shooter category and was labeled a First Person Shooter. By way of example, when Wolfenstein was first introduced, it was considered to be a new sub- genre of the Shooter category and was labeled a First Person Shooter. It was the arrival of Wolfenstein and its successor, Doom that defined and solidified the new First Person Shooter genre. It was the arrival of Wolfenstein and its successor, Doom that defined and solidified the new First Person Shooter genre.

While we can define a genre to be a particular, unique category of games, each genre can be further divided into sub-genres. While we can define a genre to be a particular, unique category of games, each genre can be further divided into sub-genres. Because of the importance of both public perception about what a particular game genre implies, and thereby the development and marketing aspects of the game, game developers tend to want to be very specific about characterizing their games. Because of the importance of both public perception about what a particular game genre implies, and thereby the development and marketing aspects of the game, game developers tend to want to be very specific about characterizing their games. A description of the major game genres, and also their sub-genres are the topic of this section. A description of the major game genres, and also their sub-genres are the topic of this section.

1.2.2 Major Game Genres

1.2.3 Action Games Action games are probably the largest selling sector in the current video game market. Action games are probably the largest selling sector in the current video game market. These games are characterized by their fast pace. These games are characterized by their fast pace. The player must have quick reflexes and good hand/eye coordination to be successful and win. The player must have quick reflexes and good hand/eye coordination to be successful and win. Some action games also require tactical reasoning and a modicum of strategy, for example, Counter Strike. Some action games also require tactical reasoning and a modicum of strategy, for example, Counter Strike. Action games require the player to be highly skilled (a skill which is generally obtained through many hours of gameplay) and knowledgeable in the mechanics and abilities of his character in order to progress through the game. Action games require the player to be highly skilled (a skill which is generally obtained through many hours of gameplay) and knowledgeable in the mechanics and abilities of his character in order to progress through the game. The player's skill must also be honed for the particular platform or control device they are using. The player's skill must also be honed for the particular platform or control device they are using.

Two sub-genres of action games The first type, referred to as the Fighting genre, focuses on fictional fighting tournaments. The first type, referred to as the Fighting genre, focuses on fictional fighting tournaments. The objective is to render one or more opponents unconscious or dead. The objective is to render one or more opponents unconscious or dead. The player has a number of different moves available to them with which to eliminate the opposition. The player has a number of different moves available to them with which to eliminate the opposition. If there is any tactical gameplay, it is inherent in your ability to select the most appropriate move for the situation. Shooting plays a minimal or non-existent part of the gameplay. If there is any tactical gameplay, it is inherent in your ability to select the most appropriate move for the situation. Shooting plays a minimal or non-existent part of the gameplay.

The second sub-genre of action games that is wildly popular is the First Person Shooter (FPS). The second sub-genre of action games that is wildly popular is the First Person Shooter (FPS). The Shooter genre dates way back to the very beginnings the computer gaming. The Shooter genre dates way back to the very beginnings the computer gaming. The first arcade game ever made, Computer Space, by Nutting & Associates in 1971, was the archetype of shooter games for many years after. The first arcade game ever made, Computer Space, by Nutting & Associates in 1971, was the archetype of shooter games for many years after. This simple game squared off two people who controlled space ships and shot at each other. This simple game squared off two people who controlled space ships and shot at each other. In a typical FPS, a player must go in, breach enemy defenses, and destroy anything that stands in his way in order to accomplish his objective. In a typical FPS, a player must go in, breach enemy defenses, and destroy anything that stands in his way in order to accomplish his objective.

1.2.4 Adventure Games Adventure games are generally the most narrative of games. Adventure games are generally the most narrative of games. Just about all the early text-based games were Adventures. Just about all the early text-based games were Adventures. Probably the most notable was Colossal Cave Adventure from Probably the most notable was Colossal Cave Adventure from This was the first of its kind, using words to create a rich simulated world. This was the first of its kind, using words to create a rich simulated world. At the time, no one had seen anything like it. At the time, no one had seen anything like it. The genre gained considerable momentum in the following decades with the advent of the point-and-click adventure, which featured a fully graphical environment. The genre gained considerable momentum in the following decades with the advent of the point-and-click adventure, which featured a fully graphical environment. The player interacted within the environment by clicking on certain hotspots on the screen, an action that is now very common. The player interacted within the environment by clicking on certain hotspots on the screen, an action that is now very common.

1.2.5 Role Playing Games Role Playing Games (RGPs) really attempt to capture the imagination of the gamer. Role Playing Games (RGPs) really attempt to capture the imagination of the gamer. Incredible graphics, storylines with depth, intriguing characters, and complex gameplay all contribute to what makes a good Role Playing Game. Incredible graphics, storylines with depth, intriguing characters, and complex gameplay all contribute to what makes a good Role Playing Game. Well designed, modern RPGs immerse the player in highly complex worlds that are vivid, engaging, and often extremely detailed. Well designed, modern RPGs immerse the player in highly complex worlds that are vivid, engaging, and often extremely detailed. In a RPG you assume the role of a character, who is almost always the protagonist. In a RPG you assume the role of a character, who is almost always the protagonist. RPGs can take as many as fifty hours to complete, and that number can be considerably higher if a player wishes to explore every aspect of the world. RPGs can take as many as fifty hours to complete, and that number can be considerably higher if a player wishes to explore every aspect of the world. There are also ways to pace yourself in the game, which will result in extended game play. There are also ways to pace yourself in the game, which will result in extended game play.

RPGs started with the classic Dungeons & Dragons, which had evolved from earlier tabletop battle systems. RPGs started with the classic Dungeons & Dragons, which had evolved from earlier tabletop battle systems. The genre was essentially established by Ultima which was released in 1979 by Lord British. The genre was essentially established by Ultima which was released in 1979 by Lord British. The Ultima series has continued to be a major force in CRPGs, up to and including its latest release Ultima Online, which is credited with founding the sub-genre of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs). The Ultima series has continued to be a major force in CRPGs, up to and including its latest release Ultima Online, which is credited with founding the sub-genre of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs).

1.2.6 Sports