Genre

Computer Games: Digital Games Design F1R2 11

© 2012 West Lothian College August 2012/Review date August 2015 Genre

Genre

What does Genre mean?

The category a game falls into.

e.g. platform, driving, FPS, etc.

Genres

Action Adventure Construction / Management Life simulation Role Playing Strategy Vehicle Other

Action

Action Adventure Zelda

Stealth Thief / Splinter Cell

Survival Horror Resident Evil

Beat ‘em Up / Hack ‘n’ Slash Onimusha

Maze / Pinball Super Monkey Ball

Platform Mario

Shooter CoD

What is in an Action game?

Fast pace (usually) Colour / hi res graphics Energy/excitement Often violent “Unlocking” features

Reducing no. of games in sub-categories (mostly FPSs nowadays)

Adventure

TextZork

GraphicMonkey Island

Interactive movieHeavy Rain

What’s in an Adventure game?

Play a character Communicate with NPCs Led by story Multiple paths Slower pace

Construction / Management

City BuildingSim City

BusinessFootball Manager, Monopoly

God gamesSpore, Populus

GovernmentRepublic – the Revolution

What is in a Management game?

Slow pace Control of resources Usually seen from above – “God”

Usually for adults

Life Simulation

Biological simulationEco / Spore

Pet-raising simulationNintendogs / Tamagotchi

Social simulationThe Sims

What is in a Life Sim game?

Control of one (or more) people/living things

Decisions made on lifestyle 3rd person view

Usually females that play.

Role Playing

Computer & ConsoleFinal Fantasy

ActionDiablo

MMORPGWoW

TacticalFF Tactics

What makes an RPG?

Character(s) to control Usually a heroic fantasy setting Usually 3rd person view Story/Quests to complete Level advancement

Strategy

4X (eXplore, eXpand,

eXploit & eXterminate) Civilization

Artillery Scorched

RTS Starcraft

RTT Warhammer

Turn based X-Com

Wargames Close Combat

What makes a Strategy game?

Pace slow (Turn-based) Pace quick (real-time) “God” (isometric) view – looking down Grouping units more important than individuals High level of tactical awareness required to succeed Resource management usually critical Graphics less important – game balance more

important

Vehicle

Flight Civilian – MFS Combat - Falcon

Racing Simulation - Gran

Turismo Fantasy – Mario Kart

Space Flight Freelancer

Train MTS

Vehicular Combat Battlemech

What makes vehicle game?

PoV from vehicle – “character” Player stats less important than vehicle’s Graphics & physics v. important Range & accuracy of vehicles v. important

Other

Puzzle Tetris

Music Guitar Hero

Sports Pro Evo Virtua Tennis 2009

Party Sonic Shuffle

Quiz WWTBA Millionaire

Traditional / Board Mah Jongg Chess Magic: The Gathering

Other

By PURPOSE:AdultAdvergameCasualEducationalExergameSerious

New kid in town:

Social networking games

e.g. Farmville Collaborative

simulation gaming 110m active players Business model first,

then game “skin” on top

Conclusions

Genre is the category of game Many different genres Developers choose genre when planning Genres have defined elements

pace, visuals, sounds, character types, environments, etc.

Many games combine genres

Q:

What’s your preferred game genre?

Why? (you’re not allowed to say “’cos I just like it…”