Action – One of the basic genres in video games is action. Most action games rely on the player having fast reflexes in attack situations, as well as quick thinking. The primary objective of this game is to ensure the character’s survival, while sometimes following a storyline.
Shooter - Formerly grouped with action, this genre has changed to a single one, as the games have been developed in a different direction. Most shooter games employ a first person perspective, meaning the view the player sees on screen is through the eyes of the character.
Adventure – One example of this type of game is the ever popular Resident Evil in which players use ready made characters with little or no alteration available, to work through missions or quests.
Construction/Management – The objective of games in this type of genre is to manage and control a population or group of some sort. One example of this is Kingdom of Keflings, where a town needs to be built and the inhabitants put to work in various jobs.
Life Simulation – Life simulation games are essentially, a player taking a character through the motions of life. In one game of this genre, Virtual Villagers, characters on an island must maintain life by fishing, hunting, working, sleeping and actions of that sort.
Role Playing Games – Role playing games such as Dragon Age: Origins, are playing with the objective of following a storyline with a character that the player has fairly free range in creating. In following this storyline, the player is able to also control how the character develops as well, through gaining experience and stats.
Strategy – Whether these games are in the category of RTS, which is Real Time Strategy, or turn based, the objective and base generally remains the same. Command and Conquer is a basic example of strategy, wherein the idea is to beat the opponent at a game of warfare, ensuring your control over the board.
Vehicle Simulation/Racing – One of the earliest examples of this genre is the classic Afterburner, in which players use planes to shoot down opponents. This genre is not limited to just one type of play, however. There are actual racing games, as well as games that venture into the demolition aspect.
Music/Party Games – These games feature a type of entertainment that appeals to people who generally do not enjoy the typical video games. With options of singing, dancing, playing instruments among other things, this genre has become very popular recently.
Puzzle Games – Games such as Puzzle Quest that feature matching colors and symbols in an effort to progress in the game fall into this genre, as well as the classic Tetris.
Trivia Board and Card Games – The converting of these type of games to video game format has been done to allow players to play online with other opponents, when they would otherwise not have that option, or to play on a handheld system, one example being Magic:The Gathering.
Sports - These objective of these games are primarily to manage a successful sports team as well as actually play the sport. These games cover almost every pro sport out there.
Educational - The primary purpose of these games is to educate children in a way that differs from the traditional approach by adding the element of virtual entertainment.
Exercise Games – Some say Dance Dance Revolution started the path into games of this genre. Today, Wii Fit is the most well known exercise game. Games of this genre are targeted towards both adults and children with the aim of providing a different way to exercise.
Art/Experimental Games – This genre, while it is designed for some entertainment, leans more towards the objective of creating a specific reaction from the player, through many different ways. Most of this genre is from indie game developers, trying to break ground into mainstream game developing.
