Gaming is a massive industry, now worth over $100 billion globally, and is growing every year. This results in an ever-expanding marketplace filled with different gaming genres. Each one appeals to a different type of player, but which ones are most popular and passed the test of time? Let’s take a look…
Action games
In the broadest sense, an action game is a game that requires quick reflexes and/or a lot of skill. Such games almost always require players to react very quickly in order to succeed.
Whilst they are most commonly associated with other genres, such as adventure or RPGs, action games tend to incorporate other genres such as puzzles, races, or collecting objects, but they are not central to the game.
They’re constantly being improved and innovated upon, so there will always be a place for them in gaming culture.
Adventure games
Adventure games are a sub-genre of adventure fiction, in which a story follows the adventures of the protagonist. They usually consist of a puzzle-solving component, often involving a mystery that the player must solve by exploring the game world and interacting with the characters within it.
Adventure games became extremely popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s, with titles like “The Secret of Monkey Island”, “Myst”, “Zork” and “Day of the Tentacle” all amongst the most iconic games of their era.
Since then, the genre has evolved into games like “Zelda: Breathe of the Wild”, “God of War, and “The Last of Us, which all have vast landscapes that offer the player many regions to explore and puzzle to solve.
Platformer
Platformer games were first introduced to the world back in 1981 with Donkey Kong. No, not the Donkey Kong made for the SNES, the original arcade Donkey Kong!
Since then platformers have evolved and become one of those staple genres anyone can get into playing. If you’re into creating your own games, chances are a platformer was one of the first games you created!
Shooting Games
Shooting games are games where the player must use a gun to shoot various enemies. Shooting games often feature a story and various other game mechanics, but the core gameplay revolves around shooting various enemies.
The most popular and iconic sub-genre of shooting games is First-Person Shooters (FPS). FPS games have been around since the ‘90s and have evolved massively over time, with titles like “Call of Duty” and “Battlefield” being some of the most popular games of all time. Shooting games are incredibly popular and have a massive following.
There are numerous different types of shooting games, from top-down hits like “Hotline Miami” to first-person shooters like “Half-Life 2”, so there’s something for everyone.
They’re also constantly being improved and innovated, so they’re likely to remain a big part of gaming culture for years to come.
Sports games
Sports games are games that immerse the player in the world of sports. They are the most realistic type of game in terms of visuals and gameplay, with even small details often being included in order to make the experience as authentic as possible. Sports games can be played either as single-player experiences or multiplayer games online.
The most popular sports games include basketball, American football, baseball, and soccer. Sports games are incredibly popular and have been for decades.
Whilst they naturally don’t attract as many new players as other sub-genres, there are always going to be avid sports fans who want to play games based on their favorite sports.
Simulation Games
Simulation games are games that attempt to immerse the player in a realistic experience. Whilst many of the games in this genre are based on real life, some are entirely fictional.
The majority of simulation games focus on a specific activity, with the player attempting to successfully complete the given task. There are a wide variety of different sub-genres of simulation games, but the most successful ones are listed below.
- Life
- Flight
- Racing
- Submarine
- Train
- Truck
Simulation games have been around for decades and have always been popular amongst gamers. Whilst the industry has seen many ups and downs over the years, this type of game has always managed to survive.
In fact, many simulation games have been innovated in recent years, making them even better than ever before. This means that simulation games are going to be around for many years to come.
MMO Games
Massively Multiplayer Online games are games where hundreds (or even thousands) of players can play together in the same world. MMOs have been around for over 20 years, with games like “EverQuest” and “Ultima Online” introducing the world to this new and exciting gaming experience.
Whilst the specific games in this category may come and go, the core concept will always be there. MMO games come in many different forms too, meaning that there’s something for everyone. They’re also constantly being improved, meaning that this type of game will likely be around for many years to come.
Final Words
While this article has focused on the most popular game genres, it’s important to remember that gaming culture is constantly evolving. We may not know what the most popular game genres will be next year or in five years, but one thing is certain: gaming will be bigger than ever.