An Introduction to Videogame Genre Theory. Understanding Videogame Genre Framework

Paraphrasing Eco, the "playing contract" should allow players to instantly recognize a genre. Videogames use resources from the fertile field of popular culture, exploiting models, pre-worked materials, well-known heroes, stereotypes, and myths. Since genres have multiple meanings, functions, production models and audience expectations that evolve through time, it is important to understand if a videogame genre framework exists or if there are just labels or marketing tools used by the game producers. Finding out if there is a blueprint for videogame genres requires the understanding of specific elements and their arrangement. Being aware that it is not possible to present an exhaustive genre categorization but only a general structure of the videogame genres, this paper uses the genres’ framework identified by Aaretsh, Smedstad and Sunnanå (2003) and integrates interviews with professionals. It also reviews the general and the specific genre literature and analyses the role and the characteristics of several elements that articulate the videogame genres.