Originals

02/14/2013

The Genre Fitting Room

Expecting one thing, and discovering that one size can’t fit all

By: Alexandra Geraets

Filed Under: Action Editorial

Dead Space 3 has made its presence known in my home. Or, rather, it’s made its presence known due to the intense expressions of concentration on the faces of the gamers here, along with the firmly-but-not-too-tensely-gripped controllers in their hands and head-hugging headphones cushioning their ears. There have been no audible gasps or screams from either of us, because Dead Space 3 is not a horror game. Much like last year’s Resident Evil 6, Dead Space 3 is gore-filled and gross, but it’s not scary.

I’d call Dead Space 3 a third-person action-shooter with critters, but I’d never call it a horror game.

 

Come to think of it, I can’t name the last true ‘horror’ game I played. Oh, I’ve played games that blend the genres of horror with third-person action and RPG elements, but pure horror? I watched someone played Slender. Does that count?

Genre is a tricky thing. I work with books in my professional life, and throughout more than ten years of this, I’ve learned that genre fiction – science-fiction, mystery, romance, thriller – is the kind of thing that can make people turn their noses up. You can also lure people into interesting new places with it, which is why I try to keep a copy of Dan Simmons’ The Terror on hand. It’s the perfect blend of literature and horror. It’s a fusion of genres, and it works; it converts people to a new way of looking at books. Books make up a cut throat world these days; you have to be on top of what your audience wants if you want to keep pushing ahead.

The same can be said for video games.

We separate our genres into a few different categories: RPGs, action-adventure, third- or first-person-shooters, horror, family, to name a few. By locking into a few set ideas of what makes a game fit into its respective genre, we automatically develop expectations about a game. As with all genres, though,  we’ve got at least a half-dozen variations, and within that variable lies the real idea of what the game in your hands is. Still, expecting one thing can hurt or improve your experience as a player.

When looking at a squad-based tactical game like Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, I go into it expecting stealth, clever set ups, and not as big of an emphasis on action. What I’ve found playing this game is that this is true, up until the scripted moments of guns-ablazing action, which actually threaten to drag me out of the experience. The first few times it happened, I thought I’d done something wrong, and wasn’t being careful enough. Instead, the game created an action setpiece, thereby making me scratch my head and wonder if I was still playing a stealth game, or a third-person shooter. Ultimately, it’s a fusion of the genres, and it works. The action keeps the tension high and makes you want to keep tearing through the mission, gunning for the best possible score, while still making sure that you’re sneaking most of the time.

Other games like Dragon Age 2 look like RPGs on the surface; after all, Dragon Age: Origins was an RPG, so it’s sequel should be the same, right? Instead, I’d categorize Dragon Age 2 as an action game with RPG elements of leveling up, unlocking new abilities and prestige classes. Constantly hitting the attack button in combat, switching to a power, and then moving on to the next enemy is more the hallmark of action games. It’s not a play approach I associate with RPGs. That said, as a genre fusion of action and RPG, Dragon Age 2 works.

Where genre fusion runs into trouble is when it’s not obvious what audience a game is trying to appeal to. Take Mirror’s Edge, which tries to blend two wildly dissimilar genres into one, with mixed results. A first person game with platforming elements was an interesting idea, but its execution left a lot to be desired. Platforming is a game style that relies on perception and a full awareness of a player’s surroundings; constrained into a first-person perspective, platforming becomes awkward and unbalanced. As a gamer, you rely on your eyes to continue on in the game; when your eyes are used to perceiving a style of gameplay in one fashion, they don’t adapt as well to a new. First-person platforming is not to first-person shooting as third-person action is to third-person shooting.

Along the lines of first-person shooting, the Call of Duty: Black Ops games, from their name alone, seem like they should be one type of game, but are more of another. The Call of Duty franchise suggests action and intense combat, but the subtitle of Black Ops suggests stealth and a more careful approach. The games, of course, are Call of Duty games, which means first person shooters with full-blown action. While I still liked Black Ops 2, especially as I was easing into playing first person shooters, I had to keep my expectations in check.

Ideally, a game finds the happy medium between its dominant genre and its subgenre. Take Darksiders II for instance, an open world adventure game with an emphasis on RPG elements like leveling, sidequests, collection missions, and more. The same goes for games like Dragon Age 2 and Dead Space 3; a touch of RPG here, a sprinkling of action here, whip it together and you’ve got a nice balance.

Genre twists our perceptions of how a game should be. Fusion gives games a fighting chance in the current market, as well as allowing them to put their own spin on an established formula. Horror games are scary only as long as you feel helpless; action games are only engaging as long as you feel in control. Put them together and you get an interesting experience in gameplay.

At the beginning, I noted that Dead Space 3 is an action game with horror elements. That’s not to say that it hasn’t made me jump a couple of times, but I hear the monsters long before I see them, and by the time they show up, I’m ready for them. That’s what third-person action games have taught me to do: always be aware of your surroundings and listen. Horror games taught me to run away, or to fight smart, but when the creatures attacking me are weak to pinpoint dismemberment and the impressive stomp of my boot, they don’t make me want to run away.

It’s an action game; I’m fully in control and I’m not scared of the dark corridors or rooms, because I’ve got a flashlight and several cleverly assembled weapons. I’m fighting nightmarish creatures, but I’m in an action game that has no illusions of being a horror game. Which is why I think Dead Space 3’s monsters are more afraid of me than I will ever be of them.

[Photo credits]

[Photo credit]

Filed Under: Action Editorial

About the Author:
Alexandra Geraets is an fan of story-driven video games. She's an even more avid fan of exploring how and why they resonate with all of us. Her essays have been found on Village Voice Media.

208 Responses to “The Genre Fitting Room”

  1. hey

    Taxi moto line
    128 Rue la Boétie
    75008 Paris
    +33 6 51 612 712  

    Taxi moto paris

    Very good info. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident (stumbleupon).

    I’ve bookmarked it for later!

  59. bit.ly

    I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best
    of luck for the next! 0mniartist asmr

  82. our gamefly

    I visited various websites however the audio quality for audio songs current at this
    website is actually excellent.

  83. it asmr

    Hello there, I found your website via Google
    at the same time as looking for a comparable subject, your website got here
    up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply turned into alert to your blog through Google, and found that
    it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you happen to continue this in future.
    A lot of people can be benefited out of your writing.

    Cheers!

  85. RaymondGam

    best canadian pharmacy for cialis ed pills – reputable online pharmacy no prescription
    cheap canadian pharmacy

  88. or asmr

    Currently it sounds like WordPress is the best blogging platform available right
    now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  89. of asmr

    You’re so cool! I do not think I’ve truly read through something like this
    before. So good to find someone with original thoughts on this subject.

    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site
    is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  91. RaymondGam

    canadian pharmacy prices ed drugs – canadian pharmacy viagra reviews
    legit canadian online pharmacy

  102. is gamefly

    May I just say what a comfort to uncover someone who truly knows what they are discussing on the web.

    You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it
    important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of
    the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular given that
    you surely possess the gift.

  103. my asmr

    Hello, this weekend is nice designed for me, because
    this point in time i am reading this wonderful educational article here at my residence.

  104. tinyurl.com

    It’s an remarkable paragraph in favor of all the web users; they will
    obtain benefit from it I am sure.

  105. when asmr

    I visited multiple blogs except the audio quality for audio songs present
    at this website is actually wonderful.

  106. why asmr

    I am really pleased to glance at this blog posts which carries lots of valuable information,
    thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.

  117. CharlesCrofs

    where can i buy cialis without a prescription: buy cialis in miami buy cialis insurancecialis online without prescription
    buy cialis tadalafil uk

  118. tinyurl.com

    scoliosis
    I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission. scoliosis

  120. tinyurl.com

    scoliosis
    Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a tough time selecting
    between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking
    for something unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    scoliosis

  127. http://tinyurl.com/2zjhkpj8

    scoliosis
    Thanks for a marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it,
    you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark
    your blog and will come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
    scoliosis

  132. https://6869milesoflove.tumblr.com/

    free dating sites
    Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my
    weblog so i got here to go back the prefer?.I am attempting to to find issues to improve my web site!I assume its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
    free dating sites

  134. asmr and

    Hi there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout
    out and say I really enjoy reading through your articles.
    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects?

    Thank you so much!

  146. of free dating sites

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was
    curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours
    would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure.
    Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Appreciate it

  160. and dating sites

    Fine way of explaining, and good piece of writing to take
    information concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to present in institution of higher education.

  162. for scoliosis

    Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit,
    but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read.
    I will definitely be back.

  164. free dating sites your

    I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark
    your blog and check again here frequently. I am
    quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  169. tinyurl.com

    I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering issues with your site.

    It looks like some of the text within your posts are running off the
    screen. Can somebody else please comment and let
    me know if this is happening to them as well? This might be a problem with
    my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Kudos

  202. Eddie

    What’s up to every one, the contents present at this web site are really amazing for
    people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

The Latest:

  • Originals

    Swan Song

    This is a tough one to write. For those of you who know me, in person, by my writing, or…


  • Originals

    The Fool and the Villain, Part II

    (Warning: In Second Life, pixelated tits and dicks abound. Abandon all hope, all ye who enter this article at work.)…


  • Commentary

    The Edge Of The Ocean

    The problem is to plot the map. My sense of geography is spotted with black holes. There’s the Chinatown and…


  • Originals

    Play Everything

    Play everything. No, I’m serious, play everything. Play that game of hopscotch those kids drew up on the sidewalk with…


  • Commentary

    Genre In Question

    Why are there so few video game comedies? At least twice in the past year I’ve bumped into conversations trying…