«You want to play WHAT?» A game genre overview for parents

In the early days of computer games - presumably when most parents were young - a single genre dominated the market: the arcade game. In classics such as Pac-Man or Donkey Kong, the player went on the hunt for points. As technology progressed, computer games became more diverse and varied and new genres emerged. There is no universally valid definition of a genre; there are always overlaps and mixed genres. In addition, each genre consists of several sub-categories. The categorisation listed here provides an overview of the most important game categories, their differences and their target group. At the end of the genres are examples with the respective PEGI age recommendation.

Action

Action games primarily require quick reactions and dexterity. The player usually steers a character or a vehicle and has to hold their own against opponents. These vary in the different levels and require different tactics. A «boss enemy», i.e. an opponent who is very difficult to defeat, often awaits at the end of the level. The action genre encompasses very different sub-genres. In shooters and shoot'em ups, players defeat their opponents with firearms, while in a beat'em up, also known as a «fighting game», opponents attack each other in close combat in a kind of arena.

The differences are huge, especially when it comes to action games. So take a close look and try it out for yourself.

When violence in computer games has been discussed in the past, shooters have almost always served as a negative example. The level of violence is particularly high in first-person shooters, which is why many titles are only recommended for over 18s. Another sub-genre is platformers, in which you overcome obstacles with your character through acrobatic jumps and collect virtual points. Jump'n Runs are essentially child-friendly games with imaginative worlds and quirky characters. The level of violence, if present at all, is usually very abstract.

Examples: Super Smash Bros. (beat 'em up, 12+), Unravel (platform game, 7+), Splatoon (shooter, 7+).
Who is it suitable for? In principle: for young people with very fast thumbs and a balanced disposition. As a harmless platform game is fundamentally different from a bloody shooter, the following applies: take a close look at action games and pay attention to the PEGI or USK information. If the labels differ, it is better to trust the stricter recommendation. It's best to try out the game yourself first and ask what your child likes about it.

Strategy

Tactical and strategic skill is required in this genre. In turn-based and real-time strategy games , you control units and try to defeat your opponent's units. The rock-paper-scissors principle is often used here so that there are no overpowered units. The range extends from fantasy-like to historical and, for children, questionable themes such as the Second World War. Things are usually more peaceful in the building game. Here, the player controls the fate of a medieval village or town. They construct buildings and are confronted with various problems that need to be solved - for example, when certain goods suddenly become scarce in the village and the inhabitants should not go hungry.

Examples: Toy Soldiers (real-time strategy, 12+), Anno 2205 (build-up strategy, 7+), Tropico 5 (build-up strategy, 16+).
Who is it suitable for? Young people with time and patience. Parents usually like these games because the children practise forward thinking along the way.

Adventure

Adventure games were the first games to tell complex stories. Even today, the focus is still on the story. In the adventure game subgenre, the player solves puzzles by combining objects in the game environment and using them in the intended way. For example, you need a key to open a locked door, but the key is guarded by a character. This character must first be distracted.

In role-playing games, the player completes battles and tasks, known as quests, in a usually large game world. The character collects experience points through successes, which are invested in special skills and talents. The player's decisions therefore have an influence on the game world and its characters, so every game round is different. Action adventures are another sub-genre. These are usually characterised by a varying degree of action (e.g. jumping and shooting) and puzzles.

Examples: Deponia Doomsday (adventure, 12+), LEGO Star Wars - The Force Awakens (action-adventure, 7+), Day of the Tentacle Remastered (adventure, 7+).
Who is it suitable for? For little perfectionists who want their character to be the strongest, most beautiful and smartest - no matter how much (time) it takes. Adventurs train patience and powers of deduction. Parents should also pay attention to whether and how violence is depicted in adventure games - the PEGI recommendation helps here.

Sport

As the name suggests, players can play virtual sports in this genre. From football, athletics and tennis to trend sports such as skateboarding
there is something for almost every sporting taste. Ball sports in particular are very common. The game characters are usually controlled with a classic controller. Since the establishment of motion control, there are also sports games in which the player is active and controls their character using a camera and a motion controller. In some games and consoles, the hands even remain completely free. In addition to entertaining fun games, there are also entire fitness programmes.

Examples: FIFA 17 (football, from 3), Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (various sports, from 7), Kinect Sports Rivals (various sports, from 12)
Who are they suitable for? Sports games are among the safest games and are often approved for very young players. They can be played with friends. This turns fidgeting in front of the screen into a shared experience or a small competition

Simulation

This genre covers a wide range of games. In a flight simulation , for example, the player pilots aeroplanes themselves. Simulations are usually characterised by a high degree of realism, taking into account the laws of physics and technical conditions. In a naval simulation, the player takes command of a ship or a submarine, while in a racing simulation you sit behind the wheel of a car. While many games in this genre focus on the authentic simulation of - often military - vehicles, there are also completely different simulation games: life simulation simulates the cycle of a living being. A well-known example of this is the Sims series. Farming simulations, in which the player masters everyday life on a farm, are also very popular at the moment.

Examples: The Sims 3 (life simulation, 12+), Farming Simulator 17 (3+), Euro Truck Simulator 2: Titanium Edition (lorry simulation, 3+).
Who is it suitable for? For girls and boys who want to sit behind the wheel of an aeroplane, ship or racing car later on and want to practise. And for city kids who dream of having their own farm. Caution is advised with life simulations for children who easily lose touch with reality.

Casuals and educational games

Casuals are games that have a rather simple structure and are therefore also suitable for casual gamers who may be picking up a controller for the first time. The range here is very diverse and extends from quiz and party games to dance and karaoke games. They also include card and puzzle games, which are popular on computers. While casual games serve as an entertaining pastime, educational games have a different objective: they aim to impart knowledge on certain topics in a playful way. Depending on their quality, this works very well, so that educational games are now also used in some nurseries and schools.

Examples: Professor Layton and the Mask of Wonders (educational game, from 7), Singstar Ultimate Party (karaoke, from 12), Just Dance 2016 (dance game, no age restriction).
Who are they suitable for? Casual games are rarely a point of contention in families because parents know them or play them themselves. Adults often like educational games better than their children. Children just want to play without a purpose.

To the author:

This text appeared in the November issue of the Swiss parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi. In each issue, we also look at media topics from a parent's perspective and provide tips. Don't want to miss another issue? Order our magazine here.