GenreGenreWhat types of games are there?

Game GenresGame Genres► Action / AdventureAction / Adventure

Legend of Zelda Series, MetroidLegend of Zelda Series, Metroid► PlatformersPlatformers

Super Mario 64, MegamanSuper Mario 64, Megaman► ShootersShooters

Halo, Gears of WarHalo, Gears of War► StrategyStrategy

Civilization, Starcraft, Fire EmblemCivilization, Starcraft, Fire Emblem► Role-PlayingRole-Playing

Final Fantasy, World of WarcraftFinal Fantasy, World of Warcraft► SportsSports

WiiSports, EA Sports GamesWiiSports, EA Sports Games► Vehicle Simulation Vehicle Simulation

MarioKart, Flight SimulationMarioKart, Flight Simulation► Construction ManagementConstruction Management

The Sims, SporeThe Sims, Spore► Puzzle, Rhythm, Artificial Life, Etc.Puzzle, Rhythm, Artificial Life, Etc.

Bejeweled, Guitar Hero, NintendogsBejeweled, Guitar Hero, Nintendogs

Action / AdventureAction / Adventure► Simplest type of game.Simplest type of game.

► Often split into levels, Often split into levels, players usually have ‘lives’.players usually have ‘lives’.

► Requires puzzle-solving and Requires puzzle-solving and reflex-actions.reflex-actions.

► Often, you will see combos, Often, you will see combos, power-ups, score, bosses, power-ups, score, bosses, collectibles. collectibles.

► When designing, you must When designing, you must be careful about the be careful about the difficulty level.difficulty level.

► Has a lot of information that Has a lot of information that the player must see at once the player must see at once (maps, inventory, etc.)(maps, inventory, etc.)

Platformers & ShootersPlatformers & Shooters► Types of Action games.Types of Action games.► Shooters usually involve one avatar and many Shooters usually involve one avatar and many

weapons. weapons. ► Platformers involve jumping puzzles and more Platformers involve jumping puzzles and more

coordination tasks.coordination tasks.► Fighting games are also action games.Fighting games are also action games.

StrategyStrategy

► Presented with a Presented with a ‘theme’ in mind. ‘theme’ in mind.

(Ex: conquest of nations, (Ex: conquest of nations, exploration of unknown exploration of unknown lands, etc.)lands, etc.)

► Usually very complex. Usually very complex. ► Player controls many Player controls many

units with different units with different properties (infantrymen properties (infantrymen v. cavalry, etc.)v. cavalry, etc.)

► Turn-based or Real-Turn-based or Real-time.time.

RoleplayingRoleplaying

► Requires strong storylines.Requires strong storylines.(Usually of the ‘SAVE THE WORLD’ variety. (Usually of the ‘SAVE THE WORLD’ variety.

Or, saving Or, saving somethingsomething, at least.), at least.)► Usually has customizable characters.Usually has customizable characters.► Includes quests, useable items (inventory).Includes quests, useable items (inventory).

Sports & Vehicle SimulationSports & Vehicle Simulation

► Rules of sports games are Rules of sports games are dictated by real rules, dictated by real rules, mostly.mostly.

► Players usually control the Players usually control the team, as a coach or as all team, as a coach or as all the athletes.the athletes.

► Vehicle simulations focus on Vehicle simulations focus on letting the player learn how letting the player learn how to control the vehicle.to control the vehicle.

► Competition arises from Competition arises from how well you do this.how well you do this.

Construction ManagementConstruction Management► Requires a sense of an Requires a sense of an

economy – resources economy – resources must be used and must be used and made. Usually, the made. Usually, the resource is money. resource is money.

► Requires sources – Requires sources – where money comes where money comes from.from.

► Player’s goal is usually Player’s goal is usually to expand, to avoid or to expand, to avoid or solve random disasters, solve random disasters, compete with other compete with other players for resources.players for resources.

PuzzlePuzzle► Doesn’t require a story.Doesn’t require a story.► Variations on one puzzle theme. Variations on one puzzle theme. ► Simple, relies on rules. Simple, relies on rules.

RhythmRhythm► Often requires other hardware – controllers, etc.Often requires other hardware – controllers, etc.

► Culture and era dependant.Culture and era dependant.

Artificial LifeArtificial Life► Player is responsible for another living being – pets, humans (MySims).Player is responsible for another living being – pets, humans (MySims).► Player meets the living being’s needs.Player meets the living being’s needs.

► No particular end-goal.No particular end-goal.