Last time, we looked at the vocabulary associated with main types of video games, focusing on distribution methods — gaming platforms, digital and physical copies, live-service games, and so on. Now, we’ll try to cover some of the current genres and subgenres in gaming. Obviously, we can’t discuss everything, but we hope this text will serve as a good starting point for those looking to dive into the modern gaming industry and discussions around it.

FPS (First-Person Shooter) — one of the most popular genres since the ’90s. The player shoots enemies from a first-person perspective, usually with the weapon visible on screen. The genre is traditionally linked to the legendary game Doom, but more modern examples include Call of Duty and Counter-Strike series.

TPS (Third-Person Shooter) — similar to an FPS, but with a third-person perspective. Pure TPS games are rare, like in the Gears of War series, and are usually mixed with other genres — horror in Resident Evil 4, or adventure in Uncharted 4, for example.

Boomer Shooter — modern games styled after classic first-person shooters like Doom, Quake, and others. Examples include Dusk, ULTRAKILL, and many more – it’s a highly popular genre today and even has its own tag on Steam.

Battle Royale — a genre that was extremely popular a few years ago. While it has lost some momentum, it’s still very relevant. It’s a “last person standing” format, often with a shrinking play area as the match progresses. Usually shooters, like PUBG and Fortnite, fall into this category, though there are more unconventional examples like Tetris 99 (though some may argue it’s not a “true” battle royale). And yes, the name was inspired by the Takashi Kitano movie and the book it’s based on.

Extraction — a trendy new genre. You’re dropped into a zone, and the main goal is to “extract” yourself by reaching an exit point. Ideally, you not only survive but also collect loot and carry it out. The most prominent example is Escape from Tarkov, but there are also single-player titles in this format, such as Pacific Drive.

RTS (Real-Time Strategy) — a genre where strategy unfolds in real time. These are usually best played on PC with a keyboard and mouse, as players must control armies and/or manage buildings and resources from a bird’s-eye view (Age of Empires, StarCraft). RTS has subgenres as well, like city-building simulators (Cities XL, SimCity).