1. Genre Computer Games: Digital Games Design F1R2 11 © 2012 West Lothian CollegeAugust 2012/Review date August 2015 Genre

2. Genre What does Genre mean?  The category a game falls into.  e.g. platform, driving, FPS, etc.

3. Genres Action Adventure Construction / Management Life simulation Role Playing Strategy Vehicle Other

4. 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

5. 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)

6. Adventure Text  Zork Graphic  Monkey Island Interactive movie  Heavy Rain

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

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

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

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

11. 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.

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

13. What makes an RPG? Character(s) to control Usually a heroic fantasy setting Usually 3 rd person view Story/Quests to complete Level advancement

14. Strategy 4X  (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit & eXterminate)  Civilization Artillery  Scorched RTS  Starcraft RTT  Warhammer Turn based  X-Com Wargames  Close Combat

15. 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

16. Vehicle Flight  Civilian – MFS  Combat - Falcon Racing  Simulation - Gran Turismo  Fantasy – Mario Kart Space Flight  Freelancer Train  MTS Vehicular Combat  Battlemech

17. 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

18. 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

19. Other By PURPOSE:  Adult  Advergame  Casual  Educational  Exergame  Serious

20. New kid in town: Social networking games e.g. Farmville Collaborative simulation gaming 110m active players Business model first, then game “skin” on top

21. 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

22. Q: What’s your preferred game genre? Why? (you’re not allowed to say “’cos I just like it…”