Video Game Design/Introduction/Archetypes
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[edit] Archetypes
There are many types of games, each one within its own defined domain. The type of game can greatly affect the type of people who play it and the type of game that is created. In this chapter we will discuss the different types of games in depth.
[edit] Arcade Classics
Digdug - Pac-man - Asteroids - Space Invaders - Breakout - Pong - Pitfall
[edit] Classic Game Types
[edit] Maze
[edit] Platform
A Platform game has the character(s) as anything from the protagonist to Arcadic Conventional and the player-character relationship being 1st or third person.
Platforms:The levels are designed as side scrollers (meaning that you see everything from the side almost like a cross-section. The character jumps between platforms to progress through the level and often times there are large 'bottomless-holes' in which the character dies.
Collectibles:Levels consist of collectibles such as coins, items, etc. which increase abilities and score.
Some Platform Games:
[edit] Scroll
[edit] Puzzle
A Puzzle game usually uses both character and player-character relationship as an influence in the game. It uses concepts of score and level progression through logic and skill.
Some Puzzle games:
Myst - Tetris - Lumines
[edit] Simulation
A simulation game can also have a variety of character and character relationships. Usually however, the player-character relationship is influence and the character is arcadic conventional.
Some Simulation Games:
Flight Simulator
[edit] Extended Game Types
[edit] Turn Based Strategy
The Turn based strategy genre usually focus on tactics rather than superiority of arms such as in many RTS and is therefore preferred by many gamers who desire greater tactical challenges instead of the hectic gameplay that is the basis of RTS.
Examples of turn base strategy games are Civilization, Final Fantasy Tactics or Heroes of Might and Magic.
[edit] Real Time Strategy (RTS)
RTS stands for Real Time Strategy. In these games the player is generally an influence and the character, too, is an influence (sometimes arcadic conventional or protagonist) The elements of an RTS are generally:
Resource Management: You must collect and manage resources to research and build your 'sect'. You usually build or raise an army to defend your buildings and to attack the other players.
Multiplayer functions: These games are usually played across networks with other players and the objective is usually to wipe out the other player (other options are often present however.)
Citizen controls: You are able to control all the 'people', 'buildings' and 'troops' from anywhere in the realm.
Battle: You send your people into battle to defeat the other players using war tactics and soldier arrangements.
Some RTS's:
StarCraft, Black and White, Imperium Galactica, Command & Conquer, Dark Reign, Mechcommander, Real War and Total Annihilation.
[edit] Role Playing Game (RPG)
RPG or Role Playing Game is a game wherein there the character/characters are the protagonist and the player either has a 3rd or 1st person relationship with them. Usually these games incorporate fantastic or futuristic settings, although others certainly exist. The elements of an RPG generally include:
Battle: Most RPG's have some form of battling in them. Usually this is based on a turn-based battle system which takes players to a new realm where the enemies are on one side of the 'field' and the characters are on the other. Each side must wait till the other gains enough energy to attack the other. The battle system contains elements such as HP or health points, MP or Magic points, attack, speed, stamina, defense, and so forth. A major portion of the battle system is EXP or experience points. When the character(s) defeat an enemy they gain EXP and when they gain enough they gain a level which increases all or most of their stats, making them stronger. In these games there is usually magic, spells, and special attacks.
Inventory: A database of items, armor, weapons, and so forth the characters hold.
Story line: Usually the player starts out with one or a few characters and the challenge is presented. Then as the game progresses members of the player's party leave and new ones enter. Games like this are generally divided into regions wherein the player must fight through and discover the problem then fight a boss. At the end of the game the player usually fights the final boss which generally has 3 stages. RPG's have a lot of talking and usually have deeper storyline than other game types.
'Character Progression: As an extension of the battle system mentioned above, most RPG's heavily emphasize the player developing their character(s) over the course of the game. Systems that increase the character's prowess in battle are most common, although others, such as crafting systems to create equipment for the character, are also relatively common.
Some RPG's:
Baldur's Gate - Dark Stone - Fallout - Ultima - Star Ocean - Dragon's Quest - Elder Scrolls - Icewind Dale
Hack n' Slash RPG Games:
Diablo I and II [1] - Dynasty Warriors - Gauntlet Legends - Champions
These games are considered a variance of the RPG genre; however, they fall under the Hack n' Slash catagory. These games differ by the character's depth as well as the core gameplay mechanics of how the game runs.
[edit] First Person Shooters (FPS)
First Person Shooters are games based on the so called 1st person perspective (although this very often puts your point of view in about chest height of the character) that places you behind the eyes of the protagonist. The elements of an FPS are:
Weapons and artillery: The character is able to collect and use weapons and artillery with which they use to attack and destroy other characters/enemies.
Story line: Usually an FPS doesn't have a very deep story line and is more about staying alive than anything.
Some FPS's
Goldeneye
Perfect Dark
Turok
Bioshock
[edit] Racing
A racing game usually uses a 3rd (sometimes 1st) person player-character relationship where the character is an arcadic convention. Elements of Racing games are:
Vehicles: Usually there is some type of vehicle which the character drives, sometimes these vehicles are customizable and the game lets you choose a vehicle. Different vehicles usually have different stats such as faster speed but worse turning etc.
The Race:The race is separated in laps and judged by time and placing. Usually the game will have a 'time trial' mode wherein the player can try to beat a time. In the race the character will race against other characters (2+) the standard being 8.
Some Racing Games:
- Mario Kart
- Ridge Racer
- Grand Turismo
- Forza
- Wave Race 64
- Need For Speed
- Project Gotham Racing
- Burnout
[edit] Action/Adventure
Action/Adventure Games usually have 3rd person (sometimes 1st person) player character relationship and the character is usually the protagonist. It is a bit of a mix between an FPS and a Platform Game.
Some Action/Adventure games:
- Zelda
- Lost Planet
- Tomb Raider
[edit] 3D
[edit] Isometric
[edit] Cross Genre Games
Hellgate: London - Rampart
[edit] MMO
MMO or Massively Multiplayer Online consists of all forms of all game genres where a nearly infinite number of players interact with each other via the Internet. MMO's usually consist of players killing monsters, doing quests, etc. to get to the highest level. MMO's are often PvP (Player vs. Player), where players from around the world will battle with each other with their custom-formed character.
Some MMORPGs:
- Everquest
- Eve-Online
- Final Fantasy XI
- Ragnarok Online
- Guild Wars
- World of Warcraft
- Matrix Online
- Runescape
