Video games have come a long way since their inception, and as technology advances, so do the types of games that we see. In recent years, we’ve seen the creation of new genres of games that have taken the gaming world by storm. From battle royale to virtual reality, these new genres of games have redefined the way we play and experience video games.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the new genres of games that have emerged in recent years, outline why it’s more difficult to assign a genre to specific games, and explore what new genres of games we can expect to see in the future.
Game of games
One of the most significant new genres of games that have emerged in recent years is the battle royale genre. Popularized by games like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, battle royale games pit players against each other in a last-man-standing style of gameplay. The success of battle royale games has led to the creation of numerous clones and spin-offs, such as Apex Legends and Warzone.
The survival genre of games, defined by titles such as Ark: Survival Evolved and Rust, drops players onto a deserted island or post-apocalyptic wasteland and tasks them with surviving against the elements and other players. These games have become incredibly popular, thanks in part to the rise of multiplayer gaming and the popularity of survival-themed movies and TV shows like The Walking Dead.
We need to talk about VR as it is another new genre of game that has emerged in recent years. While virtual reality technology has been around for decades, recent advancements in hardware and software have made it more accessible than ever before. We feel on the pinnacle of VR becoming the prevalent form of gaming, but it just needs that killer title that will compel the masses to spend the dough for what is still expensive equipment.
While many other genres have emerged in recent years, the way we game has also shifted to create very different games.
On the move
Mobile gaming is now huge and the mobile games marketplace remains the most lucrative sphere of the games industry at $92.2 billion in 2022, according to stats by Newzoo, but the real enthusiasm is around where mobile gaming is headed. Mobile gaming has also seen the creation of new genres of games in recent years titles such as Among Us becoming pop culture phenomena. Also, over the past few years, casino games have become an increasingly popular genre of game among players.
Due to the mobile optimization of casino games and legislation changes making casino gaming and sports betting legal in several states, playing roulette, blackjack, or slots from the comfort of their own homes has become a preferred form of entertainment for many. The widespread use of mobile devices has obviously been a major contribution to the rise of online casino gaming and has opened up the market to a new demographic of players who may not have had access to casino games before.
The introduction of live dealer games has further enhanced the gaming experience, allowing players to interact with real dealers and other players in real-time and casino gaming is becoming one of the more innovative and interesting genres of gaming in the 2000s.
With the switch to mobile gaming and developers seeking to push boundaries, it’s becoming more difficult to classify games by genre.
New rules
In the early days of gaming, genres were well-defined and distinct, making it easier to classify games. However, as the industry has evolved, many game developers have started blending different elements from multiple genres into their games, resulting in hybrid genres. Game developers continue to push the envelope looking for new and exciting ways to create unique gaming experiences, which often leads to the introduction of new game mechanics and features that don’t fit neatly into established genres as we’ve seen with games like Death Stranding.
Also, as gaming has grown in popularity, it has become more diverse, leading to the emergence of several sub-genres within each main genre. For instance, the RPG genre now includes sub-genres like action RPGs, strategy RPGs, and tactical RPGs, each with its own unique gameplay mechanics and features.
Additionally, gaming has simply become more complex and some genres are beginning to merge into one another, making it harder to define them as distinct categories. For example, the survival and simulation genres have merged in games like Don’t Starve and RimWorld, creating a new sub-genre that is difficult to classify.
Finally, the perception of genres is subjective, and different players may have different interpretations of what constitutes a specific genre. This can make it challenging to classify games into genres since the criteria used to define a genre may vary from person to person and the future seems certain to throw up some new difficult-to-categorize games.
More to come
As for the future, there are several new genres of games that we can expect to see emerge. One genre that is likely to gain popularity is the “metaverse” genre. While everyone and their dog has heard of the metaverse, there still remains skepticism and confusion, but no doubt gaming will be a key feature and we can expect to see a growing catalog of games that take advantage of this technology.
Another new genre of game that is likely to emerge in the future is the “cloud gaming” genre. Cloud gaming allows players to stream games directly to their devices without the need for powerful hardware. This means that players can play high-quality games on their phones, tablets, or even smart TVs. As internet speeds continue to improve and more companies invest in cloud gaming technology, we can expect to see more and more games that take advantage of this new way of playing.
The crystal ball also reveals we can expect to see more games that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into their gameplay. AI can be used to create more immersive and dynamic gaming experiences. Games like AI Dungeon and Spirit AI’s AI-driven chatbot have already shown how AI can be used to create more personalized, interactive and smart gaming experiences. In the future, we can expect to see more games that use AI to create more intelligent and responsive enemies, more realistic environments, and more engaging storytelling.
Another trend that we can expect to see in the future is the blurring of the line between video games and other forms of entertainment. Games like Black Mirror’s Bandersnatch have already shown how games can be used to enhance the storytelling of TV shows and movies. As more and more entertainment companies start to invest in gaming, we can expect to see more games that tie in with movies, TV shows, and other forms of media.
The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and as technology advances, so do the types of games that we see. In recent years, we’ve seen the creation of new genres of games and the growth of mobile gaming. As the line between video games and other forms of entertainment continues to blur, we can also expect to see more genres that entertain and delight. Regardless of what new genres of games emerge, one thing is certain – the gaming industry will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and offer gamers new and exciting ways to play and experience games.
