Updated Game Categorization (long post)

[James8BitStar]

RECAP: A few weeks ago, some members here discussed the true meaning of the term "RPG" as it applies to video games. This led--as always--to a lot of "this game is an RPG, nuh-uh, uh-huh!" type debating, until we were all thoroughly convinced that all RPGs should be based on the style of gameplay established by An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Wizardry, of course, is a side-scrolling platform game.

Since then, I've been giving this subject serious thought. I meditate on it every night, on my bed, surrounded by hordes of my old TMNT action figures from childhood, while I challenge myself to see how far I can get in Adventure Island II without dying. A typical meditative night goes like this:

"Oh god I hate these ice levels c'mon c'mon c'mon yes yes yes HA! Made it oh crap I lost my animal buddy damn who put all these toys on the bed NO DON'T SLIDE INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT--AAAAGH! Wait, I've GOT it! Solitaire should be called a CARD GAME! Oh the cleverness of me!"

So with the help of this rigourous and scientific process I've made some conclusions:

First off, the RPG. In the old thread I suggested these be renamed to S&E (Statistics and Exploration) games, and it still sounds good to me, except that its a little too utilitarian. Something with a little more oomph behind it would be best. Like, say, "Statistical Adventure" or "Character Growth Epic" maybe.

In the same vein, First-Person Shooters need a new name. Again, too utility. I'm thinking of calling Doom and Quake "YATG" (You Are The Gunman) games, to emphasize the viewpoint and to help further associate these games with violent crimes. The Thief series would instead be called YATT games.

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.... All joking aside, "Character Growth Epic" and "You Are the Gunman" aren't bad titles for categories.

The other problem label was "Adventure Game," which depending on who you asked meant either Zelda or King's Quest style games. I'm currently working on new categories for both. Right now I'm thinking Zelda should maintain the "Adventure" label while games like King's Quest would become "Collection Epics." Quest for Glory of course would be a CGCE.

But I'd like a vote on that, and also for people to name other genres with problem names.

As for me I'm going to do another meditation, this time surrounded by Tarot cards while I play Wizardry.

Til next time.

[Ze_ro]

I just call them "video games", and move on with life.

--Zero

[Icarus Moonsight]

This keeps you up at night, fixed in contemplation? Must be nice to be burden free in life... My advice is play more and think less.

[James8BitStar]

This keeps you up at night, fixed in contemplation?

Nope, that's what the cover to Communion does.

[mailman187666]

I kinda think James is onto something with the whole renaming of the RPG genre. I don't know about the first person shooter thing though. If you think about it any game could be a Role Playing Game if you are playing the role of another character. Mario 3 can be an RPG because you are playing the role of Mario. It seems to be too vague in what you're actually getting in a game. I don't know about statistics and exploration or anything like that, but at least something you can associate with the kinda game it is. Then again, it has been called rpgs since god knows how long so changing something like that may not really have an impact.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Alright, as long as I get residuals for my invention... the nude lawn dart MMO, have at it y'all.

[Trebuken]

Nope, that's what the cover to Communion does.

Remind you of an ex-girlfriend?

[James8BitStar]

Remind you of an ex-girlfriend?

No, the alien was far prettier.

In all seriousness I'm kinda with Zero on this one. I dislike categories and systemization in all its forms. Human beings were not meant to be so rigidly ordered, despite how they self-destructively try to impose it on themselves all the time.

RPGs however really need a new name if we're gonna call them anything. Other categories really don't.

[Soviet Conscript]

Nope, that's what the cover to Communion does.

sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night and think about that scene where the Alien peeks around the corner....scares the hell out of me.

[Berserker]

As long as MMORPGs will be re-classified as the "Infinite Loop" genre, I can get on board with this.

[James8BitStar]

sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night and think about that scene where the Alien peeks around the corner....scares the hell out of me.

It has been SOOO long since I've seen the movie, but I used to have nightmares about aliens.

re Berserker: "Infinite Loop" sounds good to me. Though to me MMORPGs aren't even real games.

[Flack]

I agree that RPG doesn't truly describe those games. "Role Playing Game?" Hell, that could be me dressed up as a school girl in bed! (Wait, that's another thread ...) If you think about it, those games are really about reality-based situations where players guide themselves through new worlds, you know? Wait, reality player guides. Yes! Reality Player Guides! RPGs!

Oh, no ...

[Icarus Moonsight]

Painter meet corner. DK Bongo Blast can be an RPG too (Rocket Propelled Game). Oh crap, were just making matters worse. :P

[James8BitStar]

I agree that RPG doesn't truly describe those games. "Role Playing Game?" Hell, that could be me dressed up as a school girl in bed! (Wait, that's another thread ...) If you think about it, those games are really about reality-based situations where players guide themselves through new worlds, you know? Wait, reality player guides. Yes! Reality Player Guides! RPGs!

Oh, no ...

Are your Reality Player Guides sold by Prima?

If not, they're not worth purchasing! ^__^

[Flack]

Painter meet corner. DK Bongo Blast can be an RPG too (Rocket Propelled Game). Oh crap, were just making matters worse. :P

Yeah, but that's just a bad example. Dave Mirra could be a Radical Peddling Game while some of the new hi-def adventures might be Really Pretty Games, and Knockout Kings might be described as a Repetitive Punching Game!

Oh noes ...