Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
people who like to play them. Using that method for categorizing a game is
known as understanding the
demographic
for the product.
In a game, the player usually has a goal that he or she is attempting to achieve.
To reach the goal, players make decisions during gameplay that affect the out-
come. The player may need to slay an enemy or collect items or repeat a certain
action until a specific score is reached in order to move to the next level or
achieve the final goal—winning the game!
We'll examine the following categories in greater detail. Although they don't
include all styles, large numbers of gamers play them:
Role-playing games
Action games
Adventure games
Action-adventure games
Shooters
Simulations
Strategy games
Role-playing Games
A role-playing game (RPG) is an extremely popular style whose attributes can
be found in other games, including adventure and action-adventure. An RPG's
unique qualities lie in allowing a gamer to assume the role of a character
(such as a wizard, warrior, or knight) in the game, which is usually set within
an illusory world that is highly influenced by the narrative (story) that drives
the game.
o
n l I n e
r
e s o u r C e s
F o r
rPG F
a n s
Most of the commercial RPGs, including
Final Fantasy
,
World of Warcraft
,
and
EverQuest
,
have official sites with fan forums where players can swap
tips, movies showing gameplay, screenshots, art, and strategies for playing
the games.
