Genres in Video Games

Again, in this week’s discussion we can compare the parallels of video games to films. It’s amazing how much we are finding these two entertainments to be so much alike.

In video games, I do believe it’s a good thing and possible to classify them into different genres; however, this is an exorbitant task that requires numerous classifications and many overlaps. The problem arises deciding what categories should be used. Do you place games based on audience, consoles, graphics, etc? The article, Genre and Video Games, discussed the following list of genres; “Abstract, Adaptation, Adventure, Artificial Life, Board Games, Capturing, Card Games, Catching, Chase, Collecting, Combat, Demo, Diagnostic, Dodging, Driving, Educational, Escape, Fighting, Flying, Gambling, Interactive Movie, Management Simulation, Maze, Obstacle Course, Pencil and Paper Games, Pinball, Platform, Programming Games, Puzzle, Quiz, Racing, Role Playing, Rhythm and Dance, Shoot ’Em Up, Simulation, Sports, Strategy, Table Top Games, Target, Text Adventure, Training Simulation, and Utility.” I find this list to be incredibly complete and compressive list; but then we are faced with the issue of overlap and what if there is a new game and it doesn’t fit into this listed genres?

Therefore, when it comes to categorizing video games into genres, we need to leave a lot of room for adaptations. It’s impossible to set a certain number of genres and forever stick to them. As new games are released and new types are developed, there will be new genres added.

With an every growing, ever expanding matter as video games we not only need to look at individual games but I think many games are going to fit into more than one genre. For example, one of my favorite games, Ths Sim’s, fit into genres such as, simulation and role playing. So how do you decipher which one it belongs to?

I truly do not know the answers to these questions or even what may be the best way to go with it, but I do know that they are important to look at. Each type of genre needs particular ‘guidelines’ that games need to follow to fit in. There also needs to be an understanding that new genres will be added and many will fall into multiple.