Popular Game Genres

Have you ever wondered what computer games are? Well, to answer that question, it would be useful to take into account some basic information about the history and development of games. Computer games can be categorized as single player games and multiplayer games. Single player games are games that are played directly with the computer, whereas multiplayer games are those games that involve two or more computers.

A game is typically a structured form of interactive play, normally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and at times also used as a teaching tool. The development of games began during the early years of the twentieth century, with the development of the arcade. Arcade games were highly popular games played in enclosed, multiplexed environments with coin-operated machines. As time passed, other game playing devices, such as the game pad, emerged which provided users with more freedom when it came to game play. Computer games are different from console games, which are played using a dedicated gaming device, and which often requires a continuous connection to the internet.

There are two prominent game genres today: first-person shooters (FPS) and first-person role-playing games (RPG). FPS games are those that are played on a third-party video game console; while RPG games are those developed for personal computer systems such as the Windows, Xbox and Play Station formats. FPS games are likely to offer more realistic depictions of the environment that they depict, while RPG games are more likely to focus on narrative elements and character development, with many requiring significant amounts of time to invest in the game. However, both genres share a common goal: to provide players with an experience that simulates the real world through the use of technological elements such as visual display, sound, and physical input/perception.

Two other popular game genres include racing games and puzzle games. Racing games are games that involve competitive game play; typically, the object is to become the fastest car or bike in the world, with the objective being to finish the level in the fastest amount of time. Puzzle games, on the other hand, often require the player to solve a series of problems within a very short period of time in order to complete the level. The objective of each puzzle game will differ, but most often, there is a list of objects or items that must be acquired and used within a certain amount of time in order to advance to the next level. Most racing games will feature multiple player options; however, there are some games that can be played single-player.