How To Combine Video Game Genres
Game Maker's Toolkit・11 minutes read
Game designer Derek Yu created Spelunky by combining genres, showing how innovation can arise from mixing mechanics and rules. Different methods like the "hand-off," "play style," and "blend" approaches offer ways to combine genres and create engaging gameplay experiences while catering to diverse player preferences.
Insights
- Combining genres in game design can lead to innovative gameplay experiences by utilizing methods like the "hand-off method," "play style method," and "blend method."
- Successful genre blending necessitates finding complementary elements while avoiding incompatible features to create engaging gameplay experiences that cater to diverse player preferences.
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Recent questions
How are games typically categorized?
By mechanics, camera perspective, and rules.
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Summary
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"Blending Genres for Innovative Gameplay Experiences"
- In 2008, game designer Derek Yu struggled to decide on a game genre, eventually creating Spelunky, a platformer with roguelike elements.
- Games are typically categorized into genres based on mechanics, camera perspective, and rules.
- Combining genres can lead to innovative gameplay experiences.
- One method is the "hand-off method," where games switch between different genres for pacing and variety.
- The "hand-off method" can keep players engaged but may alienate those who dislike certain genres.
- Games like Uncharted balance primary and secondary genres to cater to different player preferences.
- Another way to combine genres is the "play style method," allowing players to choose their preferred gameplay style.
- The "play style method" offers player agency but may spread resources thin and face comparisons to specialized games.
- The "blend method" merges aspects of different genres to create new gameplay experiences.
- Successful genre blending requires finding complementary elements and avoiding incompatible features.
