Video game genres are used to form video games based on their game-play interaction rather than visual or
story differences. This unit provides a list of some game genres with the features of each genre explained.
One of the oldest genres of game is the shooter. It appears in the early 60s with simple game goal with very little
story. Player is “behind the eyes” of the game character who has to kill/shoot enemies or targets for surviving and
continuing game play with scoring system based on kills/hits. Some FPS have the violent and graphic content.
Defender, Galaga, R-Type, Phoenix, Space Invaders, Tempest, Xevious, and Zaxxon, Serious sam
FPS: Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Descent, GoldenEye, Halo, Quake, and Time Splitters.
Another of the first video game genres, was the adventure game. There has always been a strong following
because of the several game goals/missions which form part of the gameplay. Player can switch between different
camera views (first and third person).
Zelda, Gabriel Knight, Indiana Jones, Maniac Mansion, Myst, Police Quest, and Little Big Adventure, Tomb Raider,
Uncharted, Grand Theft Auto, Arkham Asylum, Bioshock and Assasin's Creed.
This game usually known by navigating a level via jumping from platform to platform. The key features are
timing of jumps and avoiding enemies. Character has lives as showing in a health bar. Missing a platform can
make the death of character and re-spawn.
Pitfall, Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedgehog, Little Big Planet and Super Mario 3D Land.
RPGs are a special type of game that join 3 main features: 1. Specific quests, 2. A process for growing a character
through experience to level up character’s ability and kill the enemies, 3. Collecting items to use for game
quests/missions. Player plays as a single avatar to meet and communicate with Non-Playing Characters (NPC).
Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy Series, Elder Scrolls, Mass Effect and Fallout
MMORPGs is set in a persistent simulated world lived by thousands of players. There are some features in game: 1.
persistent environment 2. character customization 3. level progression 4. social interaction. Game is always online
and active. Paid accounts often needed to play with buying or upgrades system include.
Ultima Online, World of Warcraft, TERA, Ragnarök, Guild Wars, Rift and EVE Online.
RTS games need tactical and planning together in team/group. RTS have an in-game clock and events happen in “real
time” which is … they can take a lot of time. Games set a number of goals; resource collecting, base protection,
expanding area, fight with other players or computer enemies in the same map.
Worms, Dune 2, Command and Conquer, Final Fantasy Tactics, Age of Empires, Dawn of War and Clash of Clans
Player against player and need one winning over the other. Some games include a single player mode with
character controls for player movements. One-versus-one battles and increasing enemy difficulty as part of
tournament are two main keys of this genre.
Double Dragon, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive, King of Fighters, and Bloody Roar.
As the name suggests, the main game play is to "survive" the environment that includes fantastic/supernatural
things that are very frightening and disturbing. In game, fighting is not main feature in contrasting with stealth and
avoidance. First person views with lighting music and sound effects play a bigger part than other genres.
Alone in the Dark, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Dead Space, FEAR, Until Dawn and The Last of Us, Home sweet home.
