Sorry to dig up this thread again. My last e-mail was presented in terms of how MobyGames deals with genre. However, I wanted to discuss how I deal with genre on my site. I'd appreciate your input.
At its most generic, I only consider there to be two truly distinct genres (and a third, hybrid of the two), which are based on what makes them distinctly challenging to play: - Action -- dexterity challenges - Strategy - cerebral challenges (i.e. strategic, tactical or managerial decision making challenges) - Action/Strategy hybrids - any obvious combination of the two above Each one of these can be further broken down into unique classifications based on what makes them fun. The list below is not comprehensive, and the basic element of fun is listed in parentheses. In order to be a basic element, it must allow for fun gameplay on its own merit. There can be hybrids of each of these categories as well: - Action -- Jump-n-Run/Platform/Maze (navigation and/or evasion) -- Shooter (destruction) -- Simulation (imitation, action-oriented) -- Action Contests (dexterity competition) - tests of skill too abstract to be a simulation or variant of a real sport or competition. i.e. Ballblazer. Ballblazer can actually be sub-categorized into a group called "Fantasy Sport," which would also contain games such as Speedball, Cyberball, Grand Monster Slam, Projectyle, etc. - If a game is abstract enough, it can just be labeled an "Action" game. i.e. Breakout - Strategy -- Puzzle games (solution) -- Simulation (imitation, strategic) -- RPGs (growth/collection and their management) -- Card Games (simulations or variations of real world card games) -- Board Games (simulations or variations of real world board games) -- Strategy Contests (intellectual competition) - tests of intellect too abstract to be a simulation or variant of a real sport or competition. i.e. M.U.L.E., Master of Orion, Heroes of Might and Magic, Warlords, etc. - If a game is abstract enough, it can just be labeled a "Strategy" game. i.e. Hunt the Wumpus or Omega Note that a simulation can be an action game, a strategy game or a hybrid. You can also go one level deeper on most of these games. So under "Simulation," you could have "Flight Simulation", "Driving Simulation", "Sports Simulation", "War Simulation", etc. And you could have "Adventure" and "Jigsaw" under "Puzzle games" Note to self (and others who are bored): "Chance" is another main genre, but it is not very popular on PCs unless real money is involved. Most card games (including blackjack, poker, etc.) are actually strategy games. However, there are some true games of chance with no strategic element whatsoever (like cutting for high card, flipping a coin, and some other forms of gambling). I'm not bothering to list these since they don't demonstrate anything unique to video gaming. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 12:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Re: [SWCollect] King's Quest 1 RE: #1. Actually Spacewar was the first computer game...and it was an action game. But yes, computer adventure came before computer RPG. I'm not sure that is of any significance; however, since several other genres (besides action and strategy) also came after Adventure. #2. Fantasy is not a computer-game-genre-specific characteristic. Adventures can be fantasy, sci-fi, noir, reality-based, etc. Same with RPGs. The real differentiator between video game genres should be the essence of what makes it a fun game: - For an Adventure game, it is problem/puzzle solving. I contend that Adventure games are a sub-genre of puzzle games. Without problem/puzzle solving in an adventure game, you would have no game. You would have a story (even if that was fun, it wouldn't be a game). - For RPGs, it is character growth and item gathering. This makes it distinct and not a sub-genre. A game can have this as its only focus and be fun. See Telengard, Rogue, Temple of Apshai, NetHack, etc. Hugh -------Original Message------- From: Jim Leonard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: 01/22/03 03:26 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [SWCollect] King's Quest 1 > > Hugh and Edward: You've presented some strong arguments and I'm going to have to think about them before coming up with a rebuttal. But first let me pose some situations and questions: 1. Adventure was the first computer game, yes? It was not an RPG. So computer adventure games came before computer RPGs, right? 2. The Adventure genre encompasses *all* fantasy-style gaming. So RPG fits into it, yes? If not, why? #2 is the dealbreaker. -- http://www.MobyGames.com/ The world's most comprehensive gaming database project. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent to you because you are currently subscribed to the swcollect mailing list. To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of 'unsubscribe swcollect' Archives are available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/swcollect@oldskool.org/ > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent to you because you are currently subscribed to the swcollect mailing list. To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of 'unsubscribe swcollect' Archives are available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/swcollect@oldskool.org/
