What are the different types or styles of video games?

Types of Video Games: Parent addtion

There are several style categories video games can fall under, and some fall under more than one. This is typically broken down by what the player is doing in the game, how they play it, and whether they play it with others. This is a work in progress, and I'll be tweaking it later.

MMO Examples: World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, Wizard101

MMO = Massively Multiplayer Online: That's right, your kids are connected to tons of other players in real time online. Often, to complete in-game tasks, they have to work together with other players to defeat in-game content. You might hear them talk about being in guilds, or they have to get to their computer because they have a raid or dungeon they need to participate in. Raids are coordinated in-game content that has to be scheduled. This could mean with a large group of players like 20 - 25 (you get the idea), dungeons you may see a smaller number like 5 or 6. But either way, no matter what the game calls it, when you enter a group, the other players are counting on you to do your part, or they all lose.

NOTE: (forcing a youth out of a group will cause anger and resentment in your gamer because they are letting their team down, and the group could lose time spent to progress.) If your youth play these types of games, make sure you talk to them about appropriate times to play, and maybe even schedule it as a reward. These raids can typically take several hours. As I mentioned, they are organized and scheduled.

FPS Examples: Call of Duty, Battlefield, Rainbow Six.

FPS = First-Person Shooter: These are mostly weapon games (guns) where the player is viewing through the eyes of the character. These games also have a lot of teamwork and teamwork coordination. These games are typically played online with other live players who can chat-text in a chat box or get into group voice chats for further coordination. I guess you could think of something like capture the flag or a last-to-survive concept. A large group online split up into groups to help each other survive and complete the in-game mission.

TPS Examples: Fortnite, Gears of War, many action games.

TPS = Third-Person Shooter: The viewpoint is above or behind the character. So you are watching your character. These are much like online FPS games, with collaboration, chat boxes, and group voice chats just in a different viewpoint, so the FPS description applies here.

Survival Games: Minecraft survival mode, Rust, Ark: Survival Evolved.

Survival Games: This typically focuses on staying alive. That could mean from the environment made for the players or from each other. There are two main play styles (this can also be in MMOs): PVP and PVE. PVP stands for player versus player. The player may start naked or in underwear. In the settings menu, the naked option can be turned off. Then the players compete to get resources to build bases to shelter themselves, tools to get resources, build and improve weapons and armor, and salvage for food. If another player sees them and kills them, they can steal their weapons and gear. In essence, all their hard work. So, this mode of play can get toxic. In PVE or Player versus Environment, other players can't kill them and steal their hard work. Only guys who have been placed in the game to make it harder can kill them. These are not live players, just part of the game, so no loot will be stolen. This gameplay can be solo or with a group. It will allow in-game chat and some through voice chat. Most of these servers have admins, and if a player is cheating or toxic, they can be reported and banned from the server.

Sandbox Games: Minecraft, Roblox-style games, and some open-world titles.

Sandbox Games: This gameplay style gives the players lots of freedom to build, explore, and play how they want at the pace they want, instead of the game somewhat guiding them through quests. Players can explore and create more freely. This style is also an online world, or not. Most have chat capability.

RPG Examples: Skyrim, Final Fantasy, many MMO games

RPG = Role-Playing Game: These games focus on the characters. Building them up, leveling the characters & stats, and completing quests. These may take time to play and progress. It's never done just because you are for the day. Make sure your youth player is at a save point and structure their time. You can easily lose an hour, or even ten, in this style of game. Meaning an hour can feel like five minutes once you complete a few quests.

Simulation Game Examples: The Sims, farming games, driving simulators.

Simulation Game: Real-world activity, or they copy real life. For example, having a farm, digging, planting, and harvesting, to simulating driving a race car. These can be played online or offline.

Puzzle Games Examples: Tetris, Candy Crush, and Sudoku-style games

Puzzle Games: These are about using logic to solve problems, identify patterns, or match. In essence, solve the problem.

Simple one-line descriptions

• MMO: A huge online game world with many players.

• FPS: Shooting game seen through the character’s eyes.

• TPS: Shooting game seen from behind the character.

• Survival: Gather resources and stay alive.

• Sandbox: Open-ended game with lots of freedom.

• RPG: Build a character, level up, and complete quests.

• Simulation: A game that imitates real life.

• Puzzle: A game based on logic and problem-solving.