Genres

A genre is a way of classifying a game based on its gameplay rather than visual or narrative features.

Theme	Definition
Adventure	Games that are based on storylines with a lot of exploration and discovery, as well as puzzle-solving. May be based on well-known stories or franchises. Can be connected to multiple sub-genres such as ‘text’ and ‘graphics’-based.
Arcade	Games that are either coin-operated machines found in restaurants and amusement arcades, or games that are heavily influenced by old, retro arcade titles. The majority of arcade games are based heavily on skills.
Card & Board Game	Games with gameplay similar to physical tabletop games like board and card games, but in digital form. This can range from simple card games that take only a few minutes, to complex titles that require hours of play. In a digital card game, a player creates his own deck of cards before challenging their opponent.
Fighting	Games with a strong emphasis on combat between one or more players. Counter-attack, chain reactions, blocking, and combos are frequently used in hand-to-hand battle. The fighting genre is also related to the beat ‘em up genre.
Hack and Slash/ Beat em’ up	Games that focus heavily on combat with melee-based weapons, such as swords or blades. May also include guns. Often connected to action-heavy stories.
Indie	Games created by solo developers or tiny studios on a smaller/non-existing budget but with a lot of freedom and creativity. Might not have the support of a game publisher. These games are usually short and can be found on sites such as Itchio and GameJolt.
MOBA	Games that feature gameplay mechanics of the player controlling a single character with unique abilities that contribute to a strategic victory of a larger team. Often competes against other teams on a predefined battlefield.
Music	Games that are heavily influenced by music, that uses gameplay mechanics with tunes to beat a level or a stage. This may include rhythm matching, singing/dancing games or simulators. Games based on music artists/bands may also get the ‘Music’ genre.
Pinball	Games that feature a digital adaptation of classic pinball arcade machines with gameplay mechanics where the player uses flippers to keep a ball in motion in order to increase a score or progress. Usually inspired by a theme or franchise (such as Star Wars).
Platform	Games with gameplay mechanics of jumping, climbing or flying to navigate the player’s environment to reach their goal. Sometimes referred to as a ‘platformer’ or a ‘jump n run’ game.
Point-and-Click	Games in which you use a pointer in specific locations on objects to reveal puzzles or items that advance the story. Point-and-click frequently intersects with the 'Adventure' and/or ‘Mystery’ genre.
Puzzle	Games that feature gameplay mechanics of logic puzzles, mazes or tile-matching. Same goes for word completion and sequence solving. Often connected to the ‘Adventure’ genre.
Quiz/Trivia	Games where a player has to answer questions correctly about a certain or variety of subjects. The goal is often to collect the most points.
Racing	Games in which fast cars, bikes, or other vehicles fight in a racing competition. Some scenarios may be based on real-world racing leagues, but others may be made up. Racing games are also classified as 'Sport' games.
Real Time Strategy (RTS)	Games where players progress simultaneously with each other in “real-time” as opposed to taking turns. Often connected to construction of buildings and wielding armies in order to dominate a battlefield.
Role-Playing (RPG)	Games where the player takes the role of a character in a fictional setting. The goal is to act out this role within a narrative, often through a process of structured decision-making.
Shooter	Games where the goal is to use weapons in order to clear a level. This could be completed by shooting targets or enemies and the game often tests the player’s spatial awareness, reflexes and speed. A shooter is often connected to the ‘Action’ and/or ‘Horror’ genre.
Simulator	Games that are designed to create a close as possible simulation to real world activities. Often copies life activities such as training, entertainment or war scenarios.
Sport	Games that simulate the practice of sports. Some games emphasize strategy and management while others emphasize playing the sport itself. May be inspired by real teams and events.
Strategy	Games where the players make uncoerced and autonomous decisions which will have a high significance in determining the outcome. Skillful thinking and planning are important to achieve victory.
Tactical	Games that include scenarios where you have to make decisions based on the current situation and short-term goals.
Turn-based Strategy (TBS)	Games that include taking turns when playing. Often connected to warfare and military tactics, digital board games or historical events.
Visual Novel	Games that act more like interactive fictions with a heavy focus on dialogue. Combines textual narrative with static or animated illustrations. A Visual Novel is also sometimes referred to as a ‘Novel Game’.