Video game genres
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{{Further|[[Game classification]]}}
'''[[Video game]]s''' are categorized into [[genre]]s based on their [[gameplay]] interaction<ref name=Apperley>{{Cite web|last=Apperley|first=Thomas H|title=Genre and game studies: Toward a critical approach to video game genres|publisher=[[University of Melbourne]]|url=http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/research-students/tom-apperley.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref>. Thus, genres are based on "underlying similarities rather than their superficial visual or [[narrative]] differences". <ref name=Apperley/> On the other hand, there is a general lack of commonly agreed-upon genres or criteria for the definition of genres. Within [[game studies]] there is a lack of consensus in reaching accepted formal definitions for game genres, some being more popular than others.
Like any typical taxonomy, a video game genre must have certain constants, that is, things that remain the same. Globally, all video games have obstacles to overcome. Thus, one can define their genres within the way that these obstacles are completed.
Following is a listing of commonly used video game genres with brief descriptions and examples of each. This list is by no means complete or comprehensive. [[Chris Crawford]] notes that "the state of computer game design is changing quickly. We would therefore expect the taxonomy presented here to become obsolete or inadequate in a short time."<ref name="crawford82">{{Cite book|last=Crawford|first=Chris|authorlink=Chris Crawford (game designer)|title=[[The Art of Computer Game Design]]|publisher=Wolf & Peron|date=1982|location=|pages= Chapter 3: A Taxonomy of Computer Games|url=http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/peabody/game-book/Chapter3.html|id=|isbn=0-88134-117-7}}</ref> As with nearly all varieties of genre classification, the matter of any individual video game's specific genre is open to personal interpretation. Moreover, it is important to be able to "think of each individual game as belonging to several genres at once."<ref name=Apperley/>
==Action==
An [[action game]] requires players to use quick reflexes and timing to overcome obstacles. They are perhaps the most basic of gaming genres, and certainly one of the broadest. Action games tend to have gameplay with emphasis on combat. There are many subgenres of action games, such as [[Video game genres#Fighting|fighting games]] and [[#First-person shooter games|first-person shooters]].
===Ball and paddle===
[[Image:Breakout2600.png|thumb|200px|Atari 2600 home version of Breakout.]]
The granddaddy of all console game genres, a [http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=7:1568 Ball and paddle game] was the first game implemented on a home console (''[[Pong]]''). Later renditions have included ''[[Breakout]]'', which was a driving influence behind the Apple II computer, and ''[[Arkanoid]]'', an arcade staple for many years. A version of ''Breakout'' called ''Block Buster'' was also packaged with the first handheld console with swappable cartridges, the [[Microvision]].
===Beat 'em up and hack and slash===
[[Image:Final Fight Cody.png|thumb|right|200px|''[[Final Fight]]'', a scrolling beat 'em up.]]
[[Beat 'em up]] and [[hack and slash]] games have an emphasis on one-on-many close quarters [[combat]], beating large numbers of computer-controlled enemies.<ref>Kavasin, Greg [http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godhand/news.html?page=1&sid=6150650&tag=result;title;3 E3 06: God Hand Hands-On], ''GameSpot'', May 11, 2006, Accessed April 30, 2008</ref><ref>IGN Staff, [http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094852p1.html E3 2001: Must-See State of the Emergency Video], ''IGN'', May 17, 2001, Accessed April 20, 2008</ref> Gameplay involves the player fighting through a series of increasingly difficult levels. The sole distinction between these two genres are that beat 'em ups feature hand-to-hand combat, and hack and slash games feature [[melee]] weaponry, particularly bladed weapons. Both genres feature little to no use of of firearms or projectile combat.
This genre became popular in [[1987]] with the release of ''[[Double Dragon]]'', leading to a large number of similar games. The fighting style is usually simpler than for versus [[fighting game]]s. In recent times, the genre has largely merged with that of action-adventure, with [[side-scrolling]] levels giving way to more open three-dimensional areas, and melee combat co-existing with shooting and puzzle elements.
===Fighting===
[[Image:Street Fighter.png|thumb|right|200px|''[[Street Fighter]]'', a one-on-one fighting game.]]
[[Fighting game]]s emphasize one-on-one [[combat]] between two characters, one of whom may be computer controlled.<ref name="genreandvideogame">Wolf, Mark J. P. (2002). "[http://www.robinlionheart.com/gamedev/genres.xhtml Chapter 6: Genre and the Video Game]". ''The Medium of the Video Game''. University of Texas Press. ISBN 0-292-79150-X</ref><ref>Horowitz, Jer, [http://uk.gamespot.com/features/vgs/sat/segafight/ The History of Sega Fighting Games], ''GameSpot'', 1997, Accessed April 30, 2008</ref> These games are usually played by linking together long chains of button presses on the controller to use physical attacks to fight. Many of the movements employed by the characters are usually dramatic and occasionally physically impossible. Combat is almost always one-on-one,<ref name="genreandvideogame"/> though there are some exceptions such as the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]] and ''[[Guilty Gear Isuka]]'', pitting up to four combatants in the fight at one time.
This genre first appeared in [[1976]] with the release of [[Sega]]'s ''Heavyweight Boxing'' and later became a phenomenon, particularly in the arcades, with the release of ''[[Street Fighter II]]''. The genre is still popular today, although it has failed to see the extreme popularity it once did.
*Examples of fighting games include: the [[Street Fighter (series)|''Street Fighter'' series]] and the [[Tekken (series)|''Tekken'' series]].
===Maze===
[[List of maze video games|Maze games]] have a playing field which is entirely a [[maze]], which players must navigate. Quick thinking and fast reaction times are encouraged by the use of a timer, monsters obstructing the player's way, or multiple players racing to the finish. The most famous game of this genre is ''[[Pac-Man]]''.
*Examples of maze games include: ''[[Pac-Man]]'' and ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]''.
===Pinball===
Pinball games are essentially virtual pinball tables, designed to replicate the look and feel of a common [[pinball]] table. Most pinball games feature the same gameplay style, where the player controls a right and left flipper, and tries to make the ball hit various parts of the [[Pinball#Features of a pinball game|playfield]] to gather up points. The control scheme in pinball games is, for the most part, the same. On consoles, left and right "shoulder" buttons are often used to approximate the left and right flipper buttons of a real-world pinball game. In some cases, a pinball game may feature more than two flippers: two are generally located at the bottom of the playfield, and others (generally only one or two more) are found above the bottom two. Some games automatically fire the ball into the playfield, while others require the player to press a button to pull down the spring-loaded plug and fire the ball into the playfield.
One significant way that video game pinball games can progress beyond pinball table emulation is the inclusion of features impossible to incorporate in a real pinball table (multiple table layouts, or direct ball control for example), although some games strive to provide a more realistic experience and avoid this type of game play.
Pinball games have become more popular in recent years on handheld systems, as opposed to consoles.
===Platform===
{{Seealso|List of platform games}}
[[Platform game]]s (''platformers'') are a subgenre of action game. These games involve traveling between platforms by jumping (very occasionally other means are substituted for jumping, like swinging or bouncing, but these are considered variations on the same mechanic). Other traditional elements include running and climbing ladders and ledges. Platformers frequently borrow elements from other genres like fighting and shooting (such as the ''[[Castlevania]]'' series, which incorporates role-playing). They are most often associated with iconic cartoon mascots like [[Donkey Kong]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Mario]], and [[Rayman (character)|Rayman]], though platform games may have any theme.
The first platformer is not easy to identify, at least beyond dispute. Some credit ''[[Frogs (video game)|Frogs]]'', the first game that allowed the player to jump. Still others believe that [[Pitfall|Pitfall Harry]] is the godfather of the platform genre.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
Traditionally, platform games were [[2D computer graphics|2D]], with players viewing the environment from a profile, "cutaway" perspective. This could be done easily with [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] and was simple for early computers to handle. [[3D computer graphics]] have opened these games up for movement in all directions. However, 3D perspectives make it more difficult to judge distance, which is an important part of platformers. Because of this many 3D platformers have a feature to make this easier (for example, nearly all of them will use a player shadow that will always be cast straight down, so the player can use it to determine if he will land safely).
At their peak, platformers were the most popular games on the market. The genre experienced a sharp decline as 3D games became more popular. Although there are many 3D platform games, few have proven to have the universal appeal of their older games. While some 3D platformers like ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'', ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', and ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' have sold millions of units, the number of successful 3D platformers have dwindled to a fraction of what they once were; despite this, it is still a viable genre, with popular new games, such as ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' released in 2007. Today, 2D platformers exist primarily on handheld consoles, such as ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' for the Nintendo DS, and ''[[Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' for the PSP.
*Examples of platform games include: the [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]] and the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (series)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series]].
===Shooter===
{{Main|Shooter games}}
====First-person shooter====
[[First-person shooter]] video games, commonly known as FPSs, emphasize shooting and combat from the perspective of the character controlled by the player. This perspective is meant to give the player the feeling of "being there", and allows the player to focus on aiming. Most FPSs are very fast-paced and require quick reflexes on high difficulty levels.
The fast-paced and 3D elements required to create an effective looking FPS made the genre technologically unattainable for most consumer hardware systems until the early 1990s. ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' was the first widely known FPS, and ''[[Doom (video game)|Doom]]'' was the first major breakthrough in graphics; it used a number of clever techniques to make the game run fast enough to play on consumer-grade machines. Since the release of ''Doom'', most FPS games now have a multi-player feature to allow competition between multiple players. ''[[Counter Strike: Condition Zero]]'' and ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' are some of the notable games of the past few years in this genre.
*Examples of first-person shooter games include: the [[Halo (series)|''Halo'' series]] and the [[Half-Life (series)|''Half-Life'' series]].
=====Massively multiplayer online FPS=====
[[Massively multiplayer online first person shooter]] games (MMOFPS) are a genre of [[massively multiplayer online game]]s that combines [[first-person shooter]] gameplay with a virtual world in which a large number of players may interact over the [[Internet]]. Whereas standard FPS games limit the number of players able to compete in a multiplayer match (generally the maximum is 64), hundreds of players can battle each other on the same server in an MMOFPS.
*Examples of massively multiplayer online first person shooter games include: ''[[World War II Online]]'' and ''[[PlanetSide]]''.
====Light gun shooter====
[[Light gun shooter]]s are a genre of shooter genre designed for use with a [[pointing device]] for [[computer]]s and a [[controller|control device]] for arcade and [[video game console|home consoles]].<ref>Jeff Haynes,[http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/836/836596p1.html Time Crisis 4 Review], ''IGN'', November 19, 2007, Accessed March 29, 2008</ref><ref>Wyman, Walt, [http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6153652.html House of the Dead 4 Special reaches arcades], ''GameSpot'', Jul 8, 2006, Accessed March 29, 2008</ref><ref>Chris Remo, [http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=685 Time Crisis 4 Review], ''Shack News'', Nov 21st 2007, Accessed March 29, 2008</ref>
The first light guns appeared in the 1930s, following the development of light-sensing [[vacuum tube]]s. It wasn't long before the technology began appearing in [[Video arcade|arcade]] shooting games, beginning with the [[Seeburg Ray-O-Lite]] in [[1936]]. These early light gun games used small (usually moving) targets onto which a light-sensing tube was mounted; the player used a gun (usually a rifle) that emitted a beam of light when the trigger was pulled. If the beam struck the target, a "hit" was scored.
Modern screen-based light guns work on the opposite principle — the sensor is built into the gun itself, and the on-screen target(s) emit light rather than the gun. The first light gun of this type was used on the [[MIT Whirlwind]] computer. Some "light gun" games actually use guns mounted on joysticks, giving the illusion of using a light beam, but all control is transferred through the movement of the stick; notable examples of this include ''[[T2: The Arcade Game]]'' and ''[[Revolution X]]''.<ref name='MameDev Wiki FAQ:Games'>{{Cite web|url=http://mamedev.org/devwiki/index.php/FAQ:Games#How_do_I_calibrate_the_guns_in_Terminator_2.3F_Can_I_use_a_light_gun.3F|title=FAQ:Games|accessdate=2008-03-28 |date=2007-08-05|work=mamedev}}</ref>
*Examples of light-gun shooter games include: ''[[Time Crisis]]'' and ''[[Duck Hunt]]''.
====Shoot 'em up====
[[Image:ProjectStarfighter.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Project Starfighter]]'', a shoot 'em up.]]
A [[shoot 'em up]] (or ''shmup'' for short) is a genre of [[shooter game]] in which the player controls a vehicle or character and shoots large numbers of enemies. During the peak of their popularity they were commonly called simply ''shooters'', but with the emergence of [[first-person shooter]]s, shoot 'em up has become an inclusive term to describe various kinds of non-3D shooter games.
*Examples of shoot 'em up games include: the [[Star Fox (series)|''Star Fox'' series]] and ''[[Ikaruga]]''.
====Tactical shooter====
[[Image:GRAW2 X360 El Paso Medic Tankcover14 full.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2]]'', a tactical shooter.]]
[[Tactical shooter]]s are variations on the first person shooter genre (though also, less often, on third person shooters). Some are similar to existing games, but modified to increase the realism of the original game. These games emphasize tactical play such as planning and teamwork (for example, co-ordination and specialised roles), whereas more conventional first person shooters tend to reward individual skill and heroism. In single player modes, the player commands a squad of AI controlled characters in addition to their own; in multi-player modes, players must work in teams to win the game. Also, in multi-player games, winning a match is likely to be dependent on capturing an objective of some sort rather than gaining the most kills (as is often the case in more conventional first person shooters).
*Examples of tactical shooter games include: the [[Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon|''Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon'' series]] and the [[SOCOM (series)|''SOCOM'' series]].
====Third-person shooter====
[[Third-person shooter]] video games, known as TPSs or 3PSs, emphasize shooting and combat from a camera perspective in which the [[player character]] is seen at a distance. This perspective gives the player a wider view of their surroundings as opposed to the limited viewpoint of first-person shooters. Furthermore, third-person shooters allow for more elaborate movement such as rolling or diving, as opposed to simple jumping and crouching common in FPS games. Greater interaction with the player's environment is often possible. The emphasis remains on shooting, however; these games lack the platforming and puzzle elements of action-adventure shooting games.
*Examples of third-person shooter games include: the [[Grand Theft Auto (series)|''Grand Theft Auto'' series]], ''[[Gears of War]]'' and ''[[Max Payne]]''.
[[Image:Prince of Persia SOT Fighting.png|thumb|right|200px|''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]'', an action-adventure game.]]
==Action-adventure==
An [[action-adventure game]] is a game featuring both Action and Adventure elements. They typically feature long-term obstacles that must be overcome using a tool or item as leverage (which is collected earlier), while featuring many smaller obstacles almost constantly in the way, that require elements of action games to overcome. Action-adventure games tend to focus on exploration and usually involve item gathering, simple puzzle solving, and combat.
The first action-adventure game was the [[Atari 2600]] game ''[[Adventure (Atari 2600)|Adventure]]'' (1979). It was directly inspired by the original [[text adventure]], ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]''. In the process of adapting a text game to a console with only a joystick for control, designer [[Warren Robinett]] created a new genre. Because of their prevalence on [[video game console]]s and the absence of typical [[adventure game]]s, action-adventure games are often confusingly called "adventure games" by console gamers.
*Examples of action-adventure games include: [[The Legend of Zelda series|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]] and the [[Tomb Raider series|''Tomb Raider'' series]].
[[Image:Splinter Cell Split Jump.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (video game)|Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell]]'', a stealth game.]]
===Stealth===
[[Stealth game]]s are a somewhat recent genre, sometimes referred to as "sneakers" or "creepers" to contrast with the action-oriented "shooter" sub-genre. These games tend to emphasize subterfuge and precision strikes over the more overt mayhem of shooters. Most have first- or third-person shooter elements, but there are some exceptions like ''[[Tenchu: Stealth Assassins]]''.
*Examples of stealth games include: the [[Metal Gear (series)|''Metal Gear'' series]], the [[Thief (series)|''Thief'' series]], and ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell]]''.
===Survival horror===
[[Survival horror]] games focus on fear and attempt to scare the player via traditional [[horror fiction]] elements such as atmospherics, [[death]], the [[undead]], [[blood]] and gore. One crucial [[gameplay]] element in many of these games is the low quantity of ammunition, or number of breakable [[mêlée weapons]].
*Examples of survival horror games include: the [[Resident Evil (series)|''Resident Evil'' series]], ''[[Sweet Home (video game)|Sweet Home]]'', ''[[Alone in the Dark (video game)|Alone in the Dark]]'', and the ''[[Silent Hill]]'' Series.
==Adventure==
[[Adventure game]]s were some of the earliest games created, beginning with the text adventure ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure]]'' in the 1970s. That game was originally titled simply "Adventure," and is the namesake of the genre. Over time, graphics have been introduced to the genre and the interface has evolved.
Unlike adventure films, adventure games are not defined by story or content. Rather, adventure describes a manner of gameplay without reflex challenges or action. They normally require the player to solve various puzzles by interacting with people or the environment, most often in a non-confrontational way. It is considered a "purist" genre and tends to exclude anything which includes action elements beyond a [[mini game]].
Because they put little pressure on the player in the form of action-based challenges or time constraints, adventure games have had the unique ability to appeal to people who do not normally play video games. The genre peaked in popularity with the 1993 release of ''[[Myst]]''. The simple point and click interface, detailed worlds and casual pace made it accessible, and its sense of arty surrealism helped it escape the stigma that games are for children. It had four proper sequels, but none managed to experience the same level of success. The success of ''Myst'' also inspired many others to create similar games with first person perspectives, surreal environments and minimal or no dialogue, but these neither recaptured the success of ''Myst'' nor of earlier personality-driven adventures.
In the late 1990s the genre suffered a large drop in popularity, mass-market releases became rare, and many proclaimed the adventure game to be dead. More accurately, it has become a niche genre. Adventure games are not entirely uncommon, but they tend to be very low budget in anticipation of modest sales. However, as of 2005, the adventure game genre is showing signs of a revival, with games such as ''[[Trace Memory]]'', ''[[Fahrenheit (video game)|Fahrenheit]]'', ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'', and ''[[Dreamfall]]'' being produced.
===Text adventure / Interactive fiction===
The earliest adventure games were [[interactive fiction|text adventures]], sometimes called interactive fiction. Games such as the popular ''[[Zork]]'' series of the late 1970s and early 1980s allowed the player to use a keyboard to enter commands such as "get rope" or "go west" while the computer describes what is happening. A great deal of programming went into [[text parser|parsing the player's text input]].
[[Image:Fatman 00.gif|thumb|right|200px|''[[The Adventures of Fatman]]'', a graphical adventure game with a point and click interface.]]
===Graphic adventure===
[[Graphic adventure game]]s emerged as graphics became more common. Adventure games began to supplement and later on replace textual descriptions with visuals (for example, a picture of the current location). Early graphic adventure games used text-parsers to input commands. The growing use of [[computer mouse|mice]] led to the "[[point-and-click]]" genre of adventure games, where the player would no longer have to type commands. The player could, for example, click on a hand [[icon]] and then on a rope to pick up the rope.
====Escape the room====
[[Escape the room]] is a genre of online [[graphic adventure game]],<ref name="JOY">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/15/new-motas-levels-to-point-and-click-thru/|title=New MOTAS levels to point and click thru|author=Ransom-Wiley, James|publisher=''[[Joystiq]]''|date=[[2007-01-15]]|accessdate=2007-12-14}}</ref> usually created for [[Adobe Flash]] and utilizing a [[point and click]] style of play. The object of the game is to find a way to escape from a mysterious room.
===Visual novel===
[[Image:Wikipe-tan visual novel (Ren'Py).png|right|thumb|200px|Visual novels are commonly characterized with dialog boxes and [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s determining the speaker.]]
A {{Nihongo|[[visual novel]]|ビジュアルノベル|bijuaru noberu}} is an adventure game game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with [[anime]]-style art. As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels or [[tableau vivant]] stage plays. Many visual novels track statistics that the player must build in order to advance the plot, and permit a variety of endings, allowing more dynamic reactions to the player's actions than a typical linear adventure plot. Many visual novels are [[dating sims]], including [[bishōjo game]]s.
Visual novels are especially prevalent in [[Japan]], where they make up nearly 70% of PC games released.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-02-08|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/pressrelease.php?id=1510|title=AMN and Anime Advanced Announce Anime Game Demo Downloads|publisher=Hirameki International Group Inc.|language=English|accessdate=2006-12-01}}</ref> They are rarely produced for video game consoles, but the more popular games are sometimes [[Porting|ported]] to systems such as the [[Sega Dreamcast]] or the [[Playstation 2]]. The market for visual novels outside of Japan, however, was nearly non-existent prior to the success of the [[Nintendo DS]], for which several Japanese visual novels were released in the West, such as ''[[Ace Attorney]]'' and ''[[Hotel Dusk: Room 215]]''.
===Interactive movie===
The [[interactive movie]] genre came about with the invention of [[laserdisc]]s. An interactive movie contains pre-filmed [[full motion video|full-motion]] [[cartoon]]s or live-action sequences, where the player controls some of the moves of the main character. For example, when in danger, the player decides which move or action, or combination to choose. In these games, the only activity the user has is to choose or guess the move the [[game designer|designers]] intend him to make.
Interactive movies usually differ from games that simply use FMV extensively between scenes in that they try to integrate it into the gameplay itself. This has been used in everything from racing games ([[Megarace]]) to fighting games (Supreme Warrior). Because of this, it is arguable that the term is more of an antiquated buzzword (like how many early 3D games were tagged as "virtual reality") than a real genre.
The term itself has come to be associated with a lot of clumsy, poor quality games from the early-to-mid '90s, and thus it is rarely ever used anymore. A few adventure game have tried to use the term to liken the storytelling of their games to those in movies, most notably the later ''[[Tex Murphy]]'' games and the more recent ''[[Indigo Prophecy]]'', but few would include these in the same genre as games that used FMV in their gameplay.
Interactive movies have also been used within other games to keep the player alert. Games like ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'' present obvious in-game prompts for the player to react to. Not doing so usually results in the player character either getting hurt, outright killed, or other unfortunate effects.
*Examples of interactive movies include: ''[[Dragon's Lair]]'', ''[[Space Ace]]'' and ''[[Night Trap]]''.
==Construction and management simulation==
[[Construction and management simulation games]] (or CMSs) are a type of simulation game which task players to build, expand or manage fictional communities or projects with limited resources.
===City-building===
[[Image:Lincity-ng.png|thumb|right|A sample city from ''[[Lincity]]'']]
In [[city-building game]]s the player acts as overall planner or leader to meet the needs and wants of game characters by initiating structures for food, shelter, health, spiritual care, economic growth, etc. Success is achieved when the city budget makes a growing profit and citizens experience an upgraded lifestyle in housing, health, and goods. While military development is often included, the emphasis is on economic strength.
Perhaps the most known game of this type is ''[[SimCity]]'', which is still popular and has had great influence on later city-building games. ''SimCity'', however, also belongs to the ''God Games'' genre since it gives the player god-like abilities in manipulating the world.
===Business simulation===
[[Business simulation game]]s generally attempt to simulate an economy or business, with the player controlling the economy of the game.
===God games===
Unlike other genres of games, [[god game]]s often do not have a set goal that allows a player to win the game. The focus of a god game tends to be control over the lives of people, anywhere from micromanaging a family to overseeing the rise of a civilization.
*Examples of god games include the genre-setting ''[[Populous]]'', ''[[Black & White (video game)|Black & White]]'', ''[[SimEarth]]'' and the forthcoming game ''[[Spore (2008 video game)|Spore]]''.
===Government simulation===
A [[government simulation game]] (or "political game") involves the simulation of the policies, government or politics of a country, but typically excludes warfare. Recently, these types of games have gained the moniker "[[serious game]]".
==Life simulation==
[[Life simulation game]]s (or Artificial Life Games) involve living or controlling one or more artificial lives. A life simulation game can revolve around individuals and relationships, or it could be a simulation of an ecosystem.
===Biological simulation===
Biological simulations may allow the player to expermient with [[genetics]], [[survival]] or [[ecosystem]]s, often in the form of an [[Serious game|educational package]]. A relatively recent example is ''[[Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis]]''
===Pet-raising simulation===
[[Pet-raising simulation]]s (or [[digital pet]]s) focus more on the relationship between the player and one or few life forms. They are often more limited in scope than other biological simulations. This includes popular examples of [[virtual pets]] such as ''[[Tamagotchi]]'', the ''[[Petz]]'' series, and ''[[Nintendogs]]''.
===Social simulation===
[[Social simulation game]]s base their gameplay on the [[social interaction]] between multiple artificial lives. The most famous example from this genre is Will Wright's ''[[The Sims]]''.
==Role-playing==
{{Main|Role-playing game (video games)}}
[[Image:ff4wiki.PNG|thumb|left|''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' introduced the [[Final Fantasy battle systems#Active Time Battle|Active Time Battle]] system, one of the earliest steps towards real-time combat in role-playing games.]]
[[Computer role-playing game|Computer]] and [[console role-playing game]]s (CRPGs or simply RPGs) draw their gameplay from traditional [[role-playing game]]s like ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. Most cast the player in the role of one or more "adventurers" who specialize in specific skill sets (such as combat or casting [[Magic (gaming)|magic]] spells) while progressing through a predetermined storyline. Many involve maneuvering these character(s) through an [[overworld]], usually populated with monsters, that allows access to more important game locations, such as towns, [[dungeon]]s, and castles.
Since the emergence of affordable [[home computer]]s coincided with the popularity of [[paper and pencil game|paper and pencil]] role-playing games, this genre was one of the first in video games and continues to be popular today. Gameplay elements strongly associated with RPGs, such as statistical character development through the acquisition of [[experience point]]s, have been widely adapted to other genres such as [[action-adventure game]]s.
Though nearly all of the early entries in the genre were [[turn-based game]]s, modern CRPGs have introduced a real-time aspect. Thus, the CRPG genre has followed the [[strategy game]]'s trend of moving from turn-based to real-time combat. The move to real-time combat began with the release of [[Square Co.|Square]]'s (now [[Square Enix]]'s) ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'', the first game to use the [[Final Fantasy battle systems#Active Time Battle|Active Time Battle]] system; this was quickly followed by truly real-time role-playing games such as the [[Mana (series)|''Mana'' series]], ''[[Soul Blazer]]'' and ''[[Ultima VII]]''.
[[Image:Ultima7-ss-exult-completelyviolentcombat.png|thumb|200px|''[[Ultima VII]]'' was among the earliest role-playing games without turn-based combat.]]
===Computer and console role-playing===
Due to [[cultural differences in role-playing video games]], there are two different types of RPGs. The first involves the player creating a character and a [[non-linear]] storyline along which the player makes his own decisions. In the second type, the player controls a party of predefined characters through a dramatically scripted [[linear]] storyline. These styles are sometimes referred to as Western/Computer RPGs and Japanese/Console RPGs respectively, although there are numerous exceptions.
*Examples of computer/Western role-playing games include: ''[[Ultima]]'' and ''[[The Elder Scrolls]].
*Examples of console/Eastern role-playing games include: ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy]]''.
===Action role-playing===
The [[action role-playing game]] or action RPG is a type of [[role-playing game (video game)|role-playing game]] which incorporates elements from [[action game]]s or [[action-adventure game]]s. The first action role-playing games were produced by [[Nihon Falcom]] in the 1980s, such as the [[Dragon Slayer series|''Dragon Slayer'' series]] and [[Ys (video game series)|''Ys'' series]]. Later so-called "''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]]'' clones" are also part of this genre.
Although the precise definition of the genre varies, the typical action RPG features a heavy emphasis on combat, often simplifying or removing non-combat attributes and statistics and the effect they have on the character's development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rpgdot.com/index.php?hsaction=10053&ID=1007|title=The Action RPG Revolution|accessdate=2007-03-02 |last=Turner|first=Brian|date=2004-07-01|year=|month=|format=HTML|quote=RPGs ... are ... difficult to define ... For the most part, action RPGs are action games first and foremost, often with frenetic realtime combat against overwhelming hordes of enemies.}}</ref> Additionally, combat always takes place using a real-time system (hence the "action") that relies on the player's ability to perform particular actions with speed and accuracy to determine success, rather than mainly using the player character's attributes to determine this. Typically action RPGs focus more on the collection of randomized treasure than story progression that is found in other types of RPGs.
*Examples of action role-playing games include: ''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]]'', the Fallout series and ''[[Kingdom Hearts]]''.
===Massively multiplayer online role-playing===
[[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game]]s, or MMORPGs, emerged in the mid to late 1990s as a commercial, graphical variant of text-based [[MUD]]s, which had existed since around [[1979]]. The massively multiplayer concept was quickly combined with other genres. Fantasy MMORPGs like ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar]]'', remain the most popular type of MMOG, yet other types of MMORPG are appearing. Sci-fi MMORPGs, which began with ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'', hold a smaller part of the MMOG market, with the popular space sci-fi game ''[[EVE Online]]'' being the most notable.
*Examples of massively multiplayer online role-playing games include: ''[[MapleStory]]'', ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', and ''[[RuneScape]]''.
===Roguelike===
The [[roguelike]] video game sub-genre borrows its name and gameplay elements from the 1980 computer game ''[[Rogue (computer game)|Rogue]]''. Superficially, a roguelike is a two-dimensional [[dungeon crawl]] with a high degree of randomness and an emphasis on statistical character development. Though traditionally featuring a text user interface, many such games utilize graphic tiles to overcome character set limitations.
*Examples of roguelike games include: ''[[Ancient Domains of Mystery|ADOM]]'' and ''[[NetHack]]''.
[[Image:Thracia776Screencap.png|thumb|right|''[[Fire Emblem]]'' was the first tactical role-playing game.]]
===Tactical role-playing===
The [[tactical role-playing game]] sub-genre principally refers to games which incorporate gameplay from [[strategy video game|strategy games]] as an alternative to traditional RPG systems.<ref name="EATRPG">[http://www.ea.com/official/lordoftherings/tactics/us/whatis.jsp Electronic Arts - Lord of the Rings: Tactics]</ref> Like standard RPGs, the player controls a finite party and battles a similar number of enemies, but this genre incorporates strategic gameplay such as tactical movement on an isometric grid.<ref name="EATRPG"/>
The genre has its origins in [[tabletop role-playing game]]s, where each player has time to decide his or her character's action. Although the first tactical role-playing game was [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[Fire Emblem]]'', the term "tactics" was not widely used to describe such titles until [[Square Co.|Square]]'s ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' was released, where it popularized the genre in North America.
*Examples of tactical role-playing games include: ''[[Shining Force]]'' and the [[Front Mission (series)|''Front Mission'' series]]. There is also [[Final Fantasy Tactics]]
==Strategy==
[[Strategy video game]]s focus on gameplay requiring careful and skillful thinking and planning in order to achieve victory. In most strategy video games, "the player is given a godlike view of the game world, indirectly controlling the units under his command". <ref name="Rollings">{{Cite book|last=Rollings|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=Ernest Adams|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders Publishing|date=2003|location=|pages=321-345|url=http://safari.adobepress.com/1592730019/ch10|doi=|id=|isbn=1592730019}}</ref> "The origin of strategy games is rooted in their close cousins, board games".<ref name="Rollings"/> Strategy video games generally take one of four archetypal forms, depending on whether the game is turn-based or real-time and whether the game's focus is upon strategy or military tactics.
===4X===
[[4X game|4X]] refers to a genre of strategy video game with four primary goals: eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate. A 4X game can be [[turn-based]] or [[real-time strategy|real-time]]. Perhaps the best known example of this genre is [[Sid Meier]]'s ''[[Civilization (computer game)|Civilization]]'' series.
[[Image:Scorched 3D 40.1 screenshot 2.jpg|thumb|200px|''Scorched 3D'' is an artillery game.]]
===Artillery===
[[Artillery game|Artillery]] is the generic name for either early two or three-player (usually [[turn-based]]) computer games involving [[tank]]s fighting each other in combat or similar derivative games. Artillery games were among the earliest computer games developed; the theme of such games is an extension of the original uses of computer themselves, which were once used to calculate the trajectories of rockets and other related military-based calculations. Artillery games are a type of [[strategy game]], though they have also been described as a "shooting game".
* Examples of artillery games include: ''[[Gunbound]]'', ''[[Scorched Earth (computer game)|Scorched Earth]]'', ''[[Tanarus]]'' and ''[[Gorillas (computer game)|Gorillas.bas]]'', programmed in [[QBasic]] Language.
===Real-time strategy===
The moniker "[[real-time strategy]]" (RTS), usually applied only to certain computer strategy games, indicates that the action in the game is continuous, and players will have to make their decisions and actions within the backdrop of a constantly changing game state. Real-time strategy gameplay is characterised by obtaining resources, building bases, researching technologies and producing units. Very few non-computer strategy games are real-time; one example is ''[[Icehouse (game)|Icehouse]]''.
* Examples of RTS games include: ''[[StarCraft]]'' and the ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' series.
===Real-time tactics===
A [[real-time tactics]] game shares feature of the simulation and wargame genres. These titles focus on operational aspects and control of warfare. Unlike in real-time strategy games, resource and economical management and building plays no part of the battle gameplay.
*Examples of RTT games include: ''[[Warhammer: Dark Omen]]'' and the ''[[Close Combat (game)|Close Combat]]'' series.
===Tower defense===
[[Tower defense]] games have a very simple layout. Usually, computer-controlled monsters called ''creeps'' move along a set path, and the player must place, or "build" towers along this path to kill the creeps. In most tower defense games different towers have different abilities such as poisoning enemies or slowing them down. The player is awarded money for killing creeps, and this money can be used to buy more towers, or buy upgrades for a tower such as increased power or range.
*Examples of tower defense games include: ''[[Desktop Tower Defense]]''.
[[Image:Battle for Wesnoth 0.8.5 chaotic indexed.png|thumb|200px|''[[The Battle for Wesnoth]]'' is a turn-based strategy game.<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/objects/142/14240090.html IGN: The Battle for Wesnoth]</ref>]]
===Turn-based strategy===
The term "[[Turn-based strategy]] game" (TBS) is usually reserved for certain computer strategy games, to distinguish them from real-time computer strategy games. A player of a turn-based game is allowed a period of analysis before committing to a game action, and some games allow a certain number of moves or actions to take place in a turn.
*Examples of TBS games include the ''[[Nintendo Wars]]'' series, ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'', and the ''[[Master of Orion]]'' series.
===Turn-based tactics===
The gameplay of [[turn-based tactics]] games is characterized by the expectation of players to complete their tasks using the combat forces provided to them, and usually by the provision of a realistic (or at least believable) representation of military tactics and operations.
*Examples of TBT games include: the ''[[Jagged Alliance]]'' and ''[[X-COM]]'' series.
===Wargames===
[[Wargame (video games)|Wargames]] are a [[subgenre]] of [[strategy video game]]s that emphasize strategic or tactical warfare on a map. Wargames generally take one of four archetypal forms, depending on whether the game is turn-based or real-time and whether the game's focus is upon [[military strategy]] or [[military tactics|tactics]].
*Examples of video wargames include: the ''[[Panzer General]]'' series and the [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game)|''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' series]].
==Vehicle simulation==
[[Vehicle simulation game]]s are a genre of [[video games]] which attempt to provide the player with a realistic interpretation of operating various kinds of vehicles.<ref name="Rollings">{{Cite book|last=Rollings|first=Andrew|authorlink=|coauthors=Ernest Adams|title=Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design|publisher=New Riders Publishing|date=2003|location=|pages=395-415|url=http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/1592730019/ch13|doi=|id=|isbn=1592730019}}</ref>
===Flight===
[[Image:FG-A-10.jpg|thumb|200px|[[FlightGear]] is a flight simulation game.]]
{{Main|Flight_simulation#Flight_Simulators_at_Home}}
A flight simulation tasks the player with flying an aircraft, usually an airplane, as realistically as possible. [[Combat flight simulator]]s are the most popular sub-genre of simulation. The player controls the plane, not only simulating the act of flying, but also combat situations. There are also civilian flight simulators that do not have the combat aspect.
*Examples of combat flight simulators include: ''[[Falcon 4.0]]'' and ''[[IL-2 Sturmovik (game)|IL-2 Sturmovik]]''.
*Examples of civilian flight simulators include: ''[[Microsoft Flight Simulator]]'' and ''[[X-Plane (simulator)|X-Plane]]''.
===Racing===
[[Racing game]]s typically place the player in the driver's seat of a high-performance vehicle and require the player to race against other drivers or sometimes just time. This genre of games is one of the staples of the computer gaming world and many of the earliest computer games created were part of this genre. Emerging in the late 1970s, this genre is still very popular today and continues to push the envelope in terms of graphics and performance. These games "tend to fall into ''organized racing'' and ''imaginary racing'' categories".<ref name="Rollings"/> Organized racing simulators attempt to "reproduce the experience of driving a racing car or motorcycle in an existing racing class: Indycar, [[NASCAR]], Formula 1, and so on."<ref name="Rollings"/> On the other hand, imaginary racing games involve "imaginary situations, driving madly through cities or the countryside or even fantasy environments".<ref name="Rollings"/> These "imaginary" racing games are sometimes called arcade racing games, in contrast to their more realistic "racing simulation" counterparts.
Rollings and Adams note that "racing games are often sold in the [[sports game|sports]] category," but "from a [[Game design|design]] standpoint, they really belong in ... vehicle simulations".<ref name="Rollings"/>
*Examples of imaginary racing games include: ''[[Out Run]]'' and the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series.
*Examples of organized racing games include: ''[[Grand Prix Legends]]'', ''[[Project Gotham Racing]]'', ''[[NASCAR Racing]]'', the ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]'' series and the ''[[Forza Motorsport]]'' series.
===Space flight===
[[Space flight simulator game]]s are a sub-genre that involve piloting a [[spacecraft]]. Space simulators are different from other sub-genres, and are not generally considered to be simulators, as their simulated objects do not always exist and often disregard the laws of physics. However, simulators of real spacecraft do exist: ''[[Orbiter (sim)|Orbiter]]'' is one example.
* Examples of space flight simulators include: the ''[[Elite (computer game)|''Elite'']]'' series, ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing]]'', ''[[Descent: FreeSpace — The Great War]]'', ''[[I-War (Independence War)|Independence War]]'', ''[[Wing Commander (video game)|Wing Commander]]'', ''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]'', ''[[X: Beyond the Frontier]]'', and ''[[DarkStar One]]''.
===Train===
[[Train simulator]]s simulate the vehicles, environments and often economics associated with railway transport. These are frequently historical in nature, reminiscing on the evolution and emergence of the railroad in various countries and the economic booms that often accompanied them.
*Examples of train simulators include: ''[[Microsoft Train Simulator]]'', ''[[Trainz]]'' and ''[[Rail Simulator]]''.
===Vehicular combat===
[[Vehicular combat]] or ''car combat'' games focus on fast-paced action, as the player operates a [[car]] or other vehicle and attempts to disable or destroy [[CPU]] or human opponents. Vehicular combat games often allow a player to choose from a variety of potential vehicles, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Vehicular combat was born out of racing/shooter combinations like ''[[Spy Hunter]]'', ''[[RoadBlasters]]'' and ''[[Rock 'N' Roll Racing]]'', but differs in that the players can, if desired, take their vehicles off predefined routes and do battle wherever they please.
A sub-genre of vehicular combat is ''[[Mecha]]'' combat, where vehicles generally include giant robot-like tanks.
==Other notable genres==
===Music===
[[Image:Fretsonfire4.png|right|thumb|225px|''Frets on Fire'' is a music game.]]
[[Music video game|Music games]] are most commonly characterized by [[arcade game]]s that challenge the player to follow sequences of movement or develop specific rhythms. Some games require the player to tap out rhythms using a hand-held [[game controller]], to step with their feet on a [[dance pad]], or use a device similar to a specific musical instrument, like a replica drum set. Other games marketed for home consoles avoid rhythm-based gameplay and instead focus on pitch-based, memory-based, or sandbox-style gameplay. These games include Dance Dance Revolution, Frets on Fire, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and many more.
===Party===
[[Party games#Party video games|Party games]] are video games developed specifically for multiplayer games between many players. Normally, party games have a variety of different types of [[mini-game]]s that range between collecting more of a certain item than other players or having the fastest time at something. Versus multiplayer games are not generally considered to be party games.
*Examples of party games include: ''[[Mario Party]]'' and ''[[Sonic Shuffle]]''.
===Programming===
A [[programming game]] is a [[computer game]] where the player has no direct influence on the course of the game. Instead, a [[computer program]] or script is written in some [[domain-specific programming language]] in order to control the actions of the characters (usually [[robot]]s, [[tank]]s or [[bacteria]], which seek to destroy each other). ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' also includes some elements of a programming game, as the player creates the AI of his characters, although the player can also choose to directly control the action.
*Examples of programming games include: ''[[Core War]]'', ''[[Robocode]]'', ''[[RoboWar]]'', ''[[Robot Battle]]'', ''[[Crobots]]'' and ''[[A.I. Wars]]''.
===Puzzle===
[[Video puzzle game|Puzzle games]] require the player to solve logic puzzles or navigate complex locations such as [[maze]]s. This genre frequently crosses over with adventure and educational games. Some arcade games, in particular ''[[Tetris]]''-variants, are often labeled puzzle games, despite the fact that gameplay depends on hand/eye coordination and quick reflexes, rather than thought and logic.
Puzzle is a very inclusive genre, and is often used as a general default for games not otherwise easily categorized, especially those with abstract concepts. Before they became commonplace, music games were sometimes called puzzle games{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, for example.
*Examples of puzzle games include: ''[[Bejeweled]]'' and ''[[Lumines]]''.
===Sports===
[[Sports game]]s emulate the playing of traditional physical [[sports]]. Some emphasize actually playing the sport, while others emphasize the strategy behind the sport (such as ''[[Championship Manager series|Championship Manager]]''). Others satirize the sport for comic effect (such as ''[[Arch Rivals]]''). One of the best selling series in this genre is the ''[[Madden NFL]]'' series.
This genre emerged early in the history of video games (e.g., ''[[Pong]]'') and remains popular today.
===Traditional===
Most popular [[board game]]s, [[card game]]s, and the like have been computerized to some degree or another. Computer game programs can be worthy opponents and can help improve one's skill at traditional games.
*[[Computer chess|Chess]], [[Checkers]], Othello (also known as [[Reversi]]), and [[Backgammon]] have world class computer programs.
*[[Mah-jongg]] and related games are immensely popular in [[China]] and [[Japan]].
*[[Go (board game)|Go]] is popular in [[East Asia]]. It is infamously difficult to program a computer to play Go well: see [[Computer Go]].
*[[Magic: The Gathering]] has had computer versions for some time.
*[[42 All-Time Classics]] is a game for [[Nintendo DS]] that features online play through [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]].
==Video game genres by purpose==
While most video games are designed as entertainment, many video games are designed with additional purposes. These purposes are as varied as the nature of information itself -- to inform, persuade, or stimulate. These games can have any kind of gameplay, from puzzles to action to adventure.
===Adult===
[[Adult video game]]s, like [[adult movie]]s or other media, are intended for an adult audience. In general, the purpose of adult games is to provide erotic entertainment, rather than just gameplay. There exists a wide variety of adult games, though many lack mainstream appeal and represent a niche category. The object of an adult game may differ from a mainstream video game, in that the reward can be a visual representation of nudity, partial nudity, or sexual activity rather than points, etc. Some games may focus on humor or drama rather than arousal, or simply have normal gameplay accompanied by nudity.
===Advergame===
[[Advergame]]s have recently become popular due to the [[Burger King]], [[King Games]] Collection, though advergames, like the [[7up]] ''[[Cool Spot]]'' game and the Dominoes ''[[Yo! Noid]]'' games, were around much earlier. The majority of advergames are found online and mostly include simple and cheaply made [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] games. It is expected that advergamimg will become a very popular and far more highly invested in the coming years as TV ad revenue lessens and video games are shown to have a greater and greater impact on public opinion.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
===Casual===
[[Casual game]]s have very simple rules or play techniques, a very low degree of strategy, making them easy to learn and play as a pastime. They require no long-term time commitment or special skills to play, and there are comparatively low production and distribution costs for the producer. Casual games typically are played on a personal computer online in web browsers, although they now are starting to become popular on game consoles, too.
The purpose of the casual game is to entertain, but with a much lower commitment than other video games.
===Christian===
[[Christian video game]]s were first made, unapproved by Nintendo, in the late 1980s for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) by [[Wisdom Tree]] and now are made by many different developers. Most of these developers meet yearly at the "Christian Games Developers Conference" and build support through the [[Christian Game Developers Foundation]]. The purpose of Christian video games is to teach players about the Christian faith.
===Educational===
[[Educational game]]s, as the name implies, attempt to teach the user using the game as a vehicle. Most of these types of games target young user from the ages of about three years to mid-[[teen]]s; past the mid-teens, subjects become so complex (e.g. [[Calculus]]) that teaching via a game is impractical. Numerous sub-genres exist, each for a different field (math games, typing games and so on).
===Exergame===
An [[Exergaming|exergame]] ([[Portmanteau word|portmonteau]] of "[[exercise]]" and "[[gaming|game]]") is a video game that provides exercise. "Exergames" sub-divide into two main implementations, those with a game specifically designed to use an exercise input device (for example, the game ''[[Wii Fit]]'' using the [[Wii Balance Board]]) and those implementations using a genre of a game.
Games fit into the category of entertainment, and similarly '''Exergames''' are a category of '''Exertainment''' (formed from "[[exercise]]" and "[[entertainment]]"). '''Exertainment''' includes one aspect of innovation or entertainment to an exercise workout.
===Serious===
[[Serious game]]s are intended to educate or train the player. These games tend to promote "education, science, health care or even the military."<ref name=serious>{{Cite web|last=Terdiman|first=Daniel|title=What's wrong with serious games?|publisher=CNet|url=http://www.cnet.com.au/games/0,239029232,240061367,00.htm|format=HTML|accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref> Some of these games have no specific ending or goal in the game. Rather, the player learns a real life lesson from the game. For example, games from [[website]]s such as Newsgaming.com raise political issues using the distinct properties of games.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
===Game interfaces===
*[[Audio game]]
*[[Browser game]]
*[[Text-based game]]
*[[Tile-based video games]]
*[[Side-scrolling video game]]
===Game platforms===
*[[Arcade game]]
*[[Console game]]
*[[Handheld video game]]
*[[Massively multiplayer online game]]
*[[Mobile game]]
*[[Online game]]
*[[Personal computer game]]
===Other related topics===
*[[Game classification]]
*[[List of gaming topics]]
*[[Video game]]
*[[Non-game]]
{{VideoGameGenre}}
[[Category:Video game genres| ]]
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[[eo:Ĝenroj de videoludo]]
[[fr:Type de jeu vidéo]]
[[id:Genre permainan video]]
[[ms:Genre komputer dan permainan video]]
[[ja:コンピュータゲームのジャンル]]
[[pl:Lista gatunków gier komputerowych]]
[[pt:Gêneros de jogos eletrônicos]]
[[ro:Genuri de jocuri video]]
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[[simple:Video game genres]]
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