Author Names:
Bettina Fabos and Christopher R. Martin
Activity Objective:
Students will explore and learn more about the different video game genres that are popular today.
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In groups, review the Video Game Genres chart below and use it to talk about—and categorize—the games you and your classmates play (or have watched others play).
| Genre | Gameplay | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action | Player uses hand-eye coordination and motor skills to overcome physical challenges. The player controls most of the action to: | ||
| Platform games | - move character(s) between various platform levels in order to avoid or chase adversaries. | Super Mario Bros., Never Alone, Canabalt, Super Mario Odyssey, Celeste | |
| Shooter | - use a range of weapons to obliterate their enemy. | Overwatch, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Halo, Half-Life | |
| Fighting | - work in close-range combat against a small number of equally powerful opponents. | Street Fighter, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Soulcalibur | |
| Stealth | - engage in subterfuge and precision strikes to beat the enemy. | Dishonored, Mark of the Ninja | |
| Survival | - learn to survive in a hostile environment. | Paladins: Battlegrounds | |
| Rhythm | - meet challenges in terms of rhythm, coordination, and musical precision. | Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Rock Band | |
| Adventure | Player solves puzzles by interacting with people or the environment. | Myst, Tomb Raider, Lumino City, Monument Valley, Limbo, Hidden Folks | |
| Action-Adventure | Player navigates horror fiction elements or constant obstacles (e.g., doors) and acquires special tools or abilities to open them. | Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto | |
| Role-Playing | Player takes on specific characteristics and skillsets, goes on “adventures,” and often amasses treasure. The most popular setting is a fantasy world. | Final Fantasy, Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft | |
| MMPORG | Similar to role-playing games but distinguished by the high number of players interacting together. | World of Warcraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic | |
| Simulation | Player simulates a real or fictional reality to: | ||
| Construction/ Management | - expand or manage fictional communities or projects with limited resources. | SimCity | |
| Life | - “realistically” live the life of a person or being (e.g. a wolf), possibly in a strange world. | SimLife, Spore, Creatures | |
| Vehicle | - experience flight, race car driving, train travel, combat vehicles. | FlightGear, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Nascar Racing | |
| Strategy | Players carefully plot out tactics to achieve a goal, usually military or world domination. | Master of Orion, Hogs of War, StarCraft | |
| MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) | Player in a team competes against another team to destroy the opposing team's main structure. Similar to RPGs but distinguished by the high number of players. | League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch | |
| Sports | Player takes either a player’s or management’s perspective in simulating a sport, like soccer, Nascar racing, football, or fighting. | Pong, FIFA, Fight Night, Championship Manager, Madden NFL | |
| Casual Games | Player makes progress toward a simple reward, increasing the challenge if they feel like it. The rules are simple and there is no long-term commitment. | Tetris, Candy Crush, Run Sausage Run | |
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