Video Game Genres

Genre	Genre Description	Genre Example
FPS	First Person Shooter is a game usually based around war, and is played from the eyes of the playable character(s).	Battlefield 3 is a 2011 FPS developed EA Digital Illusions. The Battlefield franchise differs to its main competitor Call Of Duty because it incorporates vehicles into its campaign and online features more than COD. Battlefield also have much larger maps, resulting in a more realistic warfare environment, where vehicles are vital to the team to complete the objective. FPS are usually aimed at people aged 18 or older, because of the violence and swearing, but the fan base of many FPS, Battlefield and COD included compile of many people younger than this age.
Racing	Racing games are games where the objective is to win. The game simulates the driving of a car around a set track.	Grid Autosport is a 2014 Racing game developed by Codemasters. Unlike Formula 1, which is also made by Codemasters, and Forza Motorsport, a popular racing game, The Grid series are not simulators. The physics of the cars are half arcade/half simulation. Grid Autosport features 5 disciplines: Touring, Endurance, Openwheel, Tuner and Street. Each discipline has its own group of cars, allowing the player to choose any group, according to personal preference. Grid Autosport is not aimed at a specific age range, instead aimed at both male and female fans, of all ages.
Survival Horror	A survival horror game is when a player has to survive in a scary environment.	Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a survival horror game, made by Fictional Games for PC platform in 2010. The game is aimed at older people over 18, due to the scary content. The game features protagonist Daniel, as he explores a castle, avoiding monsters whilst solving a series of problems. The game is played in first person perspective, and features a physical object interaction, such as opening doors. Doors are not ‘toggle’ activated, allowing the player to open a door a few inches, and peeking into the door/corridor, adding tension to a scary game, making the experience more enjoyable. As well as health, players must manage Daniel’s ‘sanity’. Being in the dark for too long, or witnessing unsettling events will lower his sanity, causing hallucinations.
RPG	A role-play game is where the player takes control of a character in a fantasy or science-fiction setting, interacting with the imaginary world.	The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a role-play game, developed in 2011 by Bethesda Game Studios. The story follows the players character's efforts to slay Alduin, a dragon that wishes to destroy the fictional world of Skyrim. The story is advanced with the completion of quests, which can be completed at any time, meaning players can delay, or completely ignore the story line. Skyrim features an openworld map, and players can freely explore the world of Skyrim, constantly encountering wildlife, including Elks, Bears, and even dragons, which can be found attacking NPCs.
Strategy	Strategy games require the user to plan ahead and use resources wisely to reach the objective, usually a win.	Cossacks: European Wars is a strategy game by GSC Game World, created in 2001 for PC platform. Players have to collect resources from the world, in order to build a town, and raise an army to defeat the other teams, and rule the land. Resources to collect and use are: Gold, Wood, Food, Stone, Iron and Coal. To obtain these resources, players had to send a group of workers into forests and mines. Players also had to build structures. Barracks to spawn army personnel and working. Dwellings for citizens to live in, and a market to buy and sell food. The player can choose to attack the other teams at any point. Players can lead their Calvary, archers, artillery and swordsmen into battle, killing the other team’s army. Victory is won when all the enemy’s army and building are destroyed.
Action/Adventure	A video game that combines both action and adventure genres into a single game.	LA Noire is a crime detective game set in 1947 America. It was developed by Team Bondi, and published by Rockstar games in 2011. The story follow rising star Cole Phelps as he makes his way through the Los Angeles Police department, solving crime cases, from Arson to Homicide. The game focuses on an investigative element. Players have to pay attention to the characters behavior and facial expressions during questioning and interrogations. The player can then believe them, doubt them, or accuse them of lying, in order to solve the case. The game also allows a free mode when not on an active case, where you are free to explore the open world, fighting any crime that may take place on the street, such as robberies and kidnappings.
Vehicle Simulator	Vehicle simulators are games which have been designed to be as realistic as possible, testing the skills of the player.	Euro Truck Simulator 2 was first released to PC in 2012, and was developed by SCS Software. Since its release, SCS and other modders have been extending the number of countries available, as well as trucks and customizations. Players start off by borrowing trucks, working for other companies. When players have some money in the bank, they can buy their own trucks, garages and drivers, extending their trucking empire to cover every country in Europe.  The game is realistic, as players have to abide by the rules of the road. Any laws broken will result in a fine of the in game currency. Players also have to repair and refuel their trucks, as well as rest the character.
Puzzle	Games which incorporate puzzles, which challenge the player's logic, pattern recognition and sequence solving skills.	Portal 2 is a 2011 puzzle-platform game, developed and published by Valve Corporation for PC. Portal 2 is a puzzle game, played from first person perspective, with the aim of the game being to explore the Aperture Science Laboratory, a complex mechanized maze. The player controls Chell, a robot who is trying to escape the facility. Chell uses a portal gun, which creates two portals, connecting two distant surfaces, allowing the player to move between rooms or traverse to other-wise unreadable places.
Open World	Games with a large open world where players can go anywhere, and do what they want.	Red Dead Redemption is a 2010 open world game, developed by Rockstar San Diego, released to Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Set in 1910, it is based on the 'Wild West' America. The story follows John Marston, as he is forced into bringing his former gang members to justice, after the government kidnap his wife and son. Played in the third person perspective, it gives the player the freedom to travel around the US and Mexico on horseback, on foot or by train. The game was produced exceptionally well, with it's graphics of the open world, and the use of towns, horses and wildlife, which enhances the feeling that the player is really living in the Western world.
Platform	Platform games are traditionally 2D games, featuring characters which jump and climb between solid platforms.	Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee is a 2-Dimentional Platform game, developed by Oddworld Inhabitants, released in 1997 for PlayStation1 and windows. The game follows a Mudokan slave, Abe, as he tries to escape from RuptureFarms meat factory, where he, and other Mudokan slaves are being slaughtered. As Abe carries out his escape plan, he must rescue as many other slaves as he can. Abe can communicate with the other slaves, telling them to follow, stay, activate levers, as well as praise/scold them. As the player moves through the game, enemy presence is increased. Abe can not attack any enemies directly. Instead, he can sneak past them, bait them into traps or telepathically control 'Sligs', which he can use to attack enemies.