What Are Game Genres?

What Are Game Genres?

In game development, a genre is a classification used to describe a game based on its core gameplay mechanics, player interaction style, and overall experience. Genres help define how a game is played rather than how it looks.

For example, a game that focuses on fast reflexes and combat is categorized as an Action game, while a game centered on storytelling and exploration is classified as an Adventure game. Most modern games combine multiple genres, but they still rely on one primary genre for identity.

Why Are Genres Important in Game Development?

• Clear Design Direction: Genres guide core design decisions such as controls, camera systems, combat style, progression mechanics, and level design.
• Player Expectations: Players immediately understand what kind of experience they will get. For example, a Soulslike game implies high difficulty and skill-based combat.
• Efficient Development Planning: Choosing a genre helps developers estimate scope, complexity, development time, and required technical systems.
• Market Positioning & Marketing: Genres help platforms like Steam, Play Store, and App Store categorize games, making them discoverable to the right audience.
• Team Communication: Using genre terminology allows designers, programmers, artists, and producers to stay aligned on the project vision.
• Monetization Strategy: Certain genres perform better with specific monetization models, such as ads for hyper-casual games or DLCs for RPGs.

In professional game development, genres act as a shared language between developers, players, and publishers, ensuring clarity from concept to release.

Game Genres, Sub-Genres, and Examples

Major Genre	Sub-Genre	Example Game
Action	Platformer	Super Mario Bros.
	Shooter	Counter-Strike
	FPS	DOOM Eternal
	TPS	Mass Effect
	Bullet Hell	Enter the Gungeon
	Fighting	Street Fighter 6
	Beat ’em Up	Streets of Rage 4
	Stealth	Metal Gear Solid V
	Survival Action	DayZ
Adventure	Point-and-Click	Monkey Island
	Visual Novel	Doki Doki Literature Club
	Interactive Story	Detroit: Become Human
	Walking Simulator	The Stanley Parable
	Narrative Adventure	Firewatch
Action-Adventure	Metroidvania	Hollow Knight
	Open-World Adventure	GTA V
	Stealth-Adventure	Thief
	Puzzle-Adventure	Tomb Raider
RPG	JRPG	Final Fantasy VII
	WRPG	The Witcher 3
	Action RPG	Dark Souls
	Tactical RPG	XCOM 2
	MMORPG	World of Warcraft
	Roguelike / Roguelite	Hades
	Soulslike	Elden Ring
	Monster-Taming RPG	Pokémon
Strategy	RTS	Age of Empires II
	TBS	Civilization VI
	Grand Strategy	Hearts of Iron IV
	4X	Stellaris
	Tower Defense	Plants vs Zombies
	Auto-Battler	Teamfight Tactics
Simulation	Life Simulation	The Sims
Sports	Simulation Sports	FIFA
Puzzle	Match-3	Candy Crush
Horror	Survival Horror	Resident Evil 7
Survival	Open-World Survival	Rust
Sandbox	Creative Sandbox	Minecraft
Casual	Endless Runner	Subway Surfers
Multiplayer	Battle Royale	PUBG
Rhythm	Rhythm Action	Beat Saber
Educational	Edutainment	Duolingo