should it be designed?
Rebecca Phillips
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design Final Year
Research Project
Genres are important to us as consumers. When we are browsing the shelves for a new film or book, we like to know what category each title falls into, that way we know what to expect. The same applies to games; however, the way each game is categorized is quite different to other media.
Ince (2006), describes the difference in how types of media are categorized. He explains that films and books are defined by the subject matter, style and setting, such as comedy, science-fiction and horror, whereas games are defined by their style of play. Gameplay is the most important factor in a game and that is what game players typically choose their games based on, as it is what they know they enjoy. You are told nothing on the subject matter from its genre. Yet as stated, ‘Subject matter or setting can still be very important – a devotee of First Person Shooters may only like those that have a science fiction setting, where others may prefer such games that have a horror theme.’ (Ince, S, 2006. Writing For Video Games. London: A & C Black Publishers Limited. P.22)
Assigning a game to a genre is a much-debated area, and Miller, C.H, (2004, P.211) states that ‘no two experts will agree exactly the same definition of a genre, and no ruling body exists to regulate what game belongs where’. She continues to explain that the lines between genres are not always clear, and some games will contain characteristics of more than one genre.
Below is a list of common genres with general descriptions of their main characteristics, quoted from Miller, C.H, 2004. Digital Storytelling: A creator's guide to interactive entertainment. UK: Focal Press. P.P. 212, 213.
'These games are fast-paced, full of physical action, and often call for a great deal of hand-eye coordination and strategy.'
e.g. Grand Theft Auto, Lara Croft
'These games focus of various types of team or individual sports, or on car racing. The sports games are highly realistic and call for strategy as well as good control of the action. Gamers may play as an individual team member or may control an entire team.'
e.g. Fifa
'Commonly referred to as RPG's. 'In this genre of game, the player controls one or more characters, which are defined by a set of attributes, such as species, occupation, skill, and special talents.'
e.g. Skyrim, Fallout
'These games, as the name suggests, emphasise the use of strategy and logic rather than quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. In these games, the players manage resources, military units, or communities.'
e.g. Worms, Command and Conquer
'More than any other type of game, adventure games feature the strongest use of story. Typically, the player is sent on a quest or has a clear-cut mission and must solve a number of riddles or puzzles in order to succeed. Players also explore rich environments and collect items for their inventories as they move about.'
e.g. Legend of Zelda
'Shooters, as the name suggest, involve shooting at things – either at living creatures or at targets. Players are pitted against multiple opponents, and are themselves vulnerable. However, they may be given multiple lifetimes in the game, so they can come back for another round if they are killed. In a first-person shooter (FPS), you are given the first-person point of view of the action. You play and control the protagonist, but you cannot see yourself. You can, however, see the weapon you are holding.'
e.g. Halo, Doom
'Puzzle games are generally abstract and highly graphical and call for the solving of various types of puzzles. Some would assert that the genre includes games that offer story-based environments that are generously studded with puzzles.'
e.g. Tetris
'In these games, players confront opponents in an up close and personal way. The encounter may lead to death, or at least to a clear-cut defeat for one of the opponents. The games typically emphasise hand to hand combat instead of guns or other modern weapons.'
e.g. Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat
'A simulation may offer the player a physical experience such as flying a plane or parachute jumping, or may offer the opportunity to create a simulated living community.'
e.g. Minecraft, The Sims
'These fast-paced games call for making your character jump, run, or climb through a challenging terrain, often while dodging falling objects or avoiding pitfalls. Such games require quick reflexes and manual dexterity.'
e.g. Sonic, Crash Bandicoot
'A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that takes place in a persistent state world (PSW) with thousands, or even millions, of players developing their characters in a role-playing environment. The virtual world in which the game takes place is never static. Even when a player is logged off, events are occurring across the world that may impact the player when he or she logs in again.'
e.g. World of Warcraft
(Techopedia (online). Available at: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/1919/massively-multiplayer-online-role-playing-game-mmorpg. (Accessed 28.01.15))