Genre Computer Games: Digital Games Design F1R2 11 © 2012 West Lothian CollegeAugust 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 Text  Zork Graphic  Monkey Island Interactive movie  Heavy Rain

What’s in an Adventure game? Play a character Communicate with NPCs Led by story Multiple paths Slower pace

Construction / Management City Building  Sim City Business  Football Manager, Monopoly God games  Spore, Populus Government  Republic – the Revolution

What is in a Management game? Slow pace Control of resources Usually seen from above – “God” Usually for adults

Life Simulation Biological simulation  Eco / Spore Pet-raising simulation  Nintendogs / Tamagotchi Social simulation  The Sims

What is in a Life Sim game? Control of one (or more) people/living things Decisions made on lifestyle 3 rd person view Usually females that play.

Role Playing Computer & Console  Final Fantasy Action  Diablo MMORPG  WoW Tactical  FF Tactics

What makes an RPG? Character(s) to control Usually a heroic fantasy setting Usually 3 rd 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:  Adult  Advergame  Casual  Educational  Exergame  Serious

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…”