Computer games classification

All the variety of computer games can be divided into groups using many different ways. Consider all these ways:

1. Classification by platform:
1.1. Personal computer (PC, PC, laptop, netbook).
1.2. Game console or console (PS, Xbox, Nintendo).
1.3. Mobile device: phone, tablet, handheld computer (PDA, PDA).
1.4. Slot machine.
1.5. Browser or flash game (virtual internet platform).

2. Classification of the graphic image of the game:
2.1. Classification by location of the game camera:
2.1.1. View from the 1st person (view from the eyes).
2.1.2. View from the 3rd person (rear view).
2.1.3. 2D side view (2D side view).
2.1.4. Three-dimensional side view (3D side view, pseudo-three-dimensionality).
2.1.5. 2D top view (2D TopDawn).
2.1.6. Three-dimensional top view (3D TopDawn, isometric).

2.2. Graphic technology classification:
2.2.1. Lack of graphics (text games, pseudographics).
2.2.2. Two-dimensional graphics (vector, raster).
2.2.3. Three-dimensional graphics.
2.2.4. 3D image (stereo glasses).
2.2.5. Augmented Reality (mobile devices with a video camera).
2.2.6. Virtual Reality (virtual reality helmet).

3. Classification by game content:
3.1. Categorization by genre:
(More information about genres in the article "Scheme of game genres").

3.2. Classification by setting:
By location (type of fictional world):
3.2.1. The real world (the game world is not much different from our world).
3.2.2. Parallel worlds (real world and transitions to distorted worlds).
3.2.3. Alternative history (other versions of historical events).
3.2.4. Fantasy (fairy world with the presence of magic).
3.2.5. Heroic mythology (superbeings: superheroes, mutants, demigods).
3.2.6. Christian mythology (angels, demons, heaven, hell).
3.2.7. Modern mythology (zombie invasion, alien invasion, postapocalypse).
By time of action (historical era):
3.2.8. The origin of life (simple organisms, games at the cellular level).
3.2.9. Prehistoric times (the era of dinosaurs, cavemen).
3.2.10. The origin of civilizations (Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt).
3.2.11. Middle Ages (knightly campaigns, civil strife, inquisition).
3.2.12. The era of colonization (sea travel, new lands).
3.2.13. The era of industrialization (XVIII - XIX century, steampunk).
3.2.14. Past wars (World War II, local conflicts).
3.2.15. Our time (usual world).
3.2.16. Information Age (cyberpunk, dystopia of the future).
3.2.17. Space exploration (science fiction, scifi, space travel).
3.2.18. Evolution (presence of several epochs in one game).

3.3. Classification by game purpose:
3.3.1. A game for passing (fulfillment of objectives, plot).
3.3.2. Educational game (getting new knowledge).
3.3.3. Casual (everyday) game (enjoying the process itself).
3.3.4. Sandbox game (creativity, choice of goals).
3.3.5. Competition game (duel, championship) (rivalry).
3.3.6. Hardcore (very difficult) game (improvement of game skills).

4. Classification of games by publishing criteria:
4.1. Development budget classification:
4.1. Professional game of the highest quality (AAA class, blockbusters).
4.2. Professional game (games with an average budget).
4.3. Indie game (independent game, low-budget class).
4.4. Amateur game (free game with minimum quality).

4.2. Classification by publishing format:
4.2.1. The original game.
4.2.2. Another game in the game series (sequel, prequel).
4.2.3. Addition to the game.
4.2.4. Downloadable content for the game (DLC).

5. Classification by type of distribution of games:
Paid games
5.1. Playing on physical media (discs, cartridges).
5.2. Digital copy of the game (selling games over the Internet).
5.3. Subscription game (some MMO games).
Free games:
5.4. Conditionally free game (shareware).
5.5. A free game with microtransactions (free to play, free2play) (most MMO games).
5.6. Free game (flash game, browser game, downloadable game).

6. Classification by the number of players:
6.1. Single player (Singleplayer, Engl. Singleplayer).
6.2. Joint game on one device (Hotseat, Splitscreen).
6.3. Multiplayer (Multiplayer, Multiplayer).
6.4. Massive online game (eng. Massively multiplayer online game, MMO).

1. Classification by platform

---

1.1. Personal computer (PC, PC, laptop, netbook).
Computers - the main platform for video games. The initial task of computers was to perform complex scientific calculations, but with a decrease in the cost and size of computers, they also began to play the role of an electronic typewriter, and then the role of a gaming platform.
Perhaps, if there were no computer games, then the computers would remain in the form of large cabinets, and would be used only in special enterprises. It is thanks to its gaming focus that personal computers have acquired video cards, sound cards, increased the power of processors to such heights that they are now able to display photo-realistic graphics in real time.
Personal computers can be made up of a variety of components. This allows you to smoothly update your computer, replacing part by part, not lagging behind the technical progress.
Personal computers are divided into several platforms by operating system:
1.1.1. Windows
1.1.2. Mac OS,
1.1.3. Linux.

1.2. Game console or console (PS, Xbox, Nintendo).
Consoles are essentially the same computers, but with only one function - playing games. The narrow focus of these devices makes them more efficient and easier to use.
For most consoles to work, they need to be connected to the TV, so they can also be called game consoles.
Unlike computers, consoles are a ready-made, non-separable device (only some external parts can be replaced and updated). In this regard, the development of consoles is a process that is divided into clear stages - the generation of consoles. This makes console games more standardized than computer games, but because of this, they constantly lag behind technical progress.
At the moment, the 8th generation of game consoles has been released, but the 6th and 7th generation consoles are the most popular.
1.2.1. PlayStation 4.
1.2.2. Xbox One.
1.2.3. Nintendo Wii.

1.3. Mobile device : phone, tablet, handheld computer (PDA, PDA).
1.4. Slot machine .
1.5. Browser or flash game (virtual internet platform).

2. Classification by game schedule

---

2.1. Classification by location of the game camera:

2.1.1. View from the 1st person (view from the eyes).
2.1.2. View from the 3rd person (rear view).
2.1.3. 2D side view (2D side view).
2.1.4. Three-dimensional side view (3D side view, pseudo-three-dimensionality).
2.1.5. 2D top view (2D TopDawn).
2.1.6. Three-dimensional top view (3D TopDawn, isometric).

2.2. Graphics technology classification:

2.2.1. Lack of graphics (text games, pseudographics).
2.2.2. Two-dimensional graphics (vector, raster).
2.2.3. Three-dimensional graphics .
2.2.4. 3D image (stereo glasses).
2.2.5. Augmented Reality (mobile devices with a video camera).
2.2.6. Virtual Reality (virtual reality helmet).

3. Classification by game content

---

3.1. Categorization by genre:

(More information about genres in the article "Scheme of game genres")

3.2. Classification by setting:

By location (type of fictional world):
3.2.1. The real world (the game world is not much different from our world).
3.2.2. Parallel worlds (real world and transitions to distorted worlds).
3.2.3. Alternative history (other versions of historical events).
3.2.4. Fantasy (fairy world with the presence of magic).
3.2.5. Heroic mythology (superbeings: superheroes, mutants, demigods).
3.2.6. Christian mythology (angels, demons, heaven, hell).
3.2.7. Modern mythology (zombie invasion, alien invasion, postapocalypse).

By time of action (historical era):
3.2.8. The origin of life (simple organisms, games at the cellular level).
3.2.9. Prehistoric times (the era of dinosaurs, cavemen).
3.2.10. The origin of civilizations (Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt).
3.2.11. Middle Ages (knightly campaigns, civil strife, inquisition).
3.2.12. The era of colonization (sea travel, new lands).
3.2.13. The era of industrialization (XVIII - XIX century, steampunk).
3.2.14. Past wars (World War II, local conflicts).
3.2.15. Our time (usual world).
3.2.16. Information Age (cyberpunk, dystopia of the future).
3.2.17. Space exploration (science fiction, scifi, space travel).
3.2.18. Evolution (presence of several epochs in one game).

3.3. Classification by game purpose:

3.3.1. A game for passing (fulfillment of objectives, plot).
3.3.2. Educational game (getting new knowledge).
3.3.3. Casual (everyday) game (enjoying the process itself).
3.3.4. Sandbox game (creativity, choice of goals).
3.3.5. Competition game (duel, championship) (rivalry).
3.3.6. Hardcore (very difficult) game (improvement of game skills).

4. Classification of games by publishing criteria

---

4.1. Development budget classification:

4.1.1. Professional game of the highest quality (AAA class, blockbusters).
4.1.2. Professional game (games with an average budget).
4.1.3. Indie game (independent game, low-budget class).
4.1.4. Amateur game (free game with minimum quality).

4.2. Classification by publishing format:

4.2.1. The original game .
4.2.2. Another game in the game series (sequel, prequel).
4.1.3. Addition to the game .
4.1.4. Downloadable content for the game (DLC) .

5. Classification by type of distribution of games

---

Paid games
5.1. Playing on physical media (discs, cartridges).
5.2. Digital copy of the game (selling games over the Internet).
5.3. Subscription game (some MMO games).

Free games:
5.4. Conditionally free game (shareware).
5.5. A free game with microtransactions (free to play, free2play) (most MMO games).
5.6. Free game (flash game, browser game, downloadable game).

6. Classification by the number of players

The game without the participation of players (Zero Player Game).
In some games it is possible to set up computer opponents so that they will fight among themselves, and the player will not even participate in the game. This game mode is not included in our classification. A game without gameplay is no longer a game, but a beautiful screen saver on a game engine.

6.1. Single player (Singleplayer, Engl. Singleplayer).
The type of game in which the gameplay is designed for one player. All opponents and allies in this game controls the computer.

6.2. Joint game on one device (Hotseat, Splitscreen).
A game in which several players can participate at once on one device.
6.2.1. Joint game on one device by turns (English Hotseat).
The alternate game is possible in games with step-by-step game mode. Players take turns in turns using the same computer or console. Less often, alternation is possible in games with real-time mode, where there is a division into short stages. In this case, the players in turn go through each separate stage, competing in the number of points received.
6.2.2. Joint simultaneous game on the same device (English Splitscreen).
In this mode, players play simultaneously, using different sets of keys on the keyboard or different gamepads. At the same time in two-dimensional games the image on the screen is scaled so that all players remain within the screen. In games with a view from the 1st or 3rd person, the screen is divided into two or four parts, depending on the number of participants. An image for a specific player is displayed on each part of the screen. Due to this, players no longer need to wait for their turn and the game action can unfold in real time.

6.3. Multiplayer (Multiplayer, Multiplayer).
A type of game in which several players can take part at once. Each player enters the game through his device (computer, console, mobile device). The connection between the connected devices occurs via a local computer network or via the Internet (the connection option does not change the essence of the game, and does not serve as a criterion for the difference: a network game or an online game). The uniting link in the network of devices becomes one of the players (hoster) or a specially designed computer (server).
Multiplayer is often an additional mode for the main single-player game.
A distinctive feature of multiplayer - the game consists of individual games, sessions, rounds, passes. Players either choose for themselves allies and opponents for the party, or the server does it by random selection. In each game there is a limit on the number of players in one game.

6.4. Massive online game (eng. Massively multiplayer online game, MMO).
A type of game in which a huge number of people can take part (tens and hundreds of thousands of players). These online games are built on the principle of "client-server". The main part of the game is located on a special powerful computer that is constantly connected to the Internet (server). Players connect to the game server via the Internet from their devices (client). A small graphical part of the game (client game) is installed on the players' devices, or this part is loaded from the server each time the next game launch (browser game).
A distinctive feature of an MMO is that the game world exists continuously (it is not divided into batches like regular multiplayer games). Players can, at their discretion, connect to this world at any time. Theoretically, the number of players in MMO games is unlimited.

Multiplayer offline game (PBEM).
There is a special category of online games, in which an internet connection is necessary only for a short period of time, only in order to convey information about their perfect course.
This mode came to computer games from the chess community, where they used to use regular paper mail to exchange information about their moves. Thus, chess players from different parts of the Earth could play with each other even before the advent of telephone and the Internet, but because of this, the games were stretched for years. Now the PBEM mode of the game has replaced paper mail, but it is used only for some genres (step-by-step strategies, other logic games), where it takes a lot of time to think about each move.