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Forums - Gaming Discussion - Help me create a Taxonomy for Videogames!

LGF said:
DonFerrari said:

Got it.

But just a small point. For GTA and Sport games, that would be "RPG elements" but they would be propper RPG. RPG involves story telling and choices (and character progession is a prop inside), but I see the element of JRPG you don't like is the turn based part, but then you can choose the action-rpg.

I would like more racing, platforming, action-adventure games that focus either on SP or in local Co-OP.

In a way, the career that you make in a sports game is a story you are collaboratively telling with the game, just like in a Pokemon game. And these games involve a lot of choices: who to hire, who to fire, who will play, what competition will be the focus. The main difference I see is the Theme: one is a Sports game; the other is a Fantasy/Adventure game. Both involve playing the role of some entity: either a character or a team.

Btw, I also like those genres. But what specific Racing games you feel are missing?

I see your point in the career making, but as games goes it isn't a sport rpg, it's a sport game with RPG element. RPG involves a lot more than what you described in there. Because even though you write your way to the championship, there isn't really a story going on.

On racing games I like sega rally, and love gran turismo. So I would like more simulators for console.



duduspace11 "Well, since we are estimating costs, Pokemon Red/Blue did cost Nintendo about $50m to make back in 1996"

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=8808363

Mr Puggsly: "Hehe, I said good profit. You said big profit. Frankly, not losing money is what I meant by good. Don't get hung up on semantics"

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=9008994

Azzanation: "PS5 wouldn't sold out at launch without scalpers."

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Distant Star said:

I've been looking into steam tags to come up with dimensions to quickly find games that I want to play.

Example: Single Player, First-Person, Shooter, Cyberpunk = Deus Ex: GOTY

5 Dimensions

Great hints! Let's go step by step.

=Gamemode=  
I feel like this is the first choice when you decide what to play. (if you don't know what to play) 

Examples: Single Player, Local Multiplayer, Multiplayer, Co-op, Local Co-op, Splitscreen

I'm not sure it's always the first choice, but certainly one of the most critical dimensions.

This is Dimension 6 (Players). All those categories are there, execpt Splitscreen, which I belive would be a sub-sub category.

Camera perspective is important to be it's own dimension

Examples: First Person, Third Person, Isometric, 2Dimensions

This is Dimension 4 (Space dimensions). Again, all categories are there.

(Gameplay) 

This describes what gameplay mechanics should be in the game.

Examples: Shooter, Racing, Stealth, Simulation, Survival, Turn Based etc.

This is broken in different dimensions: Dimension 10 (Challenge), 3 (Interaction Time) and 11 (Realism). Once again, all categories are there, even if more aggregated.

-Universe-

This describes the gameworld based on an (alternative) timeline

Examples: Prehistoric/Mythology/Medieval/History/WOII/Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi/Space/Horror/Fantasy/Surreal/Supernatural

This would be Dimension 12 (Theme). But I realize that it could be broken in additional dimensions, such as: Time, Space and Atmosphere. I'm going to update the Taxonomy, and then let me know what you think about it.

Aestetics

This one describes artstyle, but many games with 'realistic artstyle' are not tagged.

Examples: Pixels. Anime, Cartoon, Abstract

This could be an additional dimension either for Environment or Content. But it could also be seen as part of Dimension 11 (Realism). I'm not sure where to put it.

Regarding the categories, I see then Realistic, Cartoon (which would include Anime) and Pixels. I didn't understand the difference to Abstract. :S



0D0 said:
I think the Environment 3D and 2D categories can be improved.

Open world and Closed levels are on their own cells, but you can have

- 3D Open world games
- 2D Open world games
- 3D Closed levels games
- 2D Closed levels games

Right! The idea is to cross different dimensions to classify a game. As I said previously on this topic, this is not a hierarchical Taxonomy, where you enter once and you go through genre, sub-genre and so on. The idea is to enter once for each dimension. So, for Space dimensions, you choose between 2D (Orthographic or Axonometric) and 3D (First-person and Third-person), and then for Space connection, you choose between Closed levels and Open-world.

Let me give you an example I gave previously on this topic: classic Pokemon games can be classified in the following way: recreational puzzle/exploration game recreating a scripted fantasy adventure on 2D orthographic open world, in real and continuous input time, played with digital inputs by a single player who progresses the skills of its pokemons; the battles are played in turn-based, discrete input.



DonFerrari said:
LGF said:

In a way, the career that you make in a sports game is a story you are collaboratively telling with the game, just like in a Pokemon game. And these games involve a lot of choices: who to hire, who to fire, who will play, what competition will be the focus. The main difference I see is the Theme: one is a Sports game; the other is a Fantasy/Adventure game. Both involve playing the role of some entity: either a character or a team.

Btw, I also like those genres. But what specific Racing games you feel are missing?

I see your point in the career making, but as games goes it isn't a sport rpg, it's a sport game with RPG element. RPG involves a lot more than what you described in there. Because even though you write your way to the championship, there isn't really a story going on.

On racing games I like sega rally, and love gran turismo. So I would like more simulators for console.

I agree, there isn't a story in the traditional sense, but who said a story was mandatory in a Role Playing Game? Role Play is a concept that goes beyond the gaming industry. It's used for instance in job interviews and job training. It involves assuming the role of a particular entity. So, why can't it be the manager of a football team? I know RPG has a rather specific meaning in the gaming community. But why not broaden our perspective?

About racing games, if you like simulators, you should be happy with Project CARS, Assetto Corsa and Dirt Rally. They have brought true simulation to consoles.



LGF said:
Distant Star said:

I've been looking into steam tags to come up with dimensions to quickly find games that I want to play.

Example: Single Player, First-Person, Shooter, Cyberpunk = Deus Ex: GOTY

5 Dimensions

Great hints! Let's go step by step.

=Gamemode=  
I feel like this is the first choice when you decide what to play. (if you don't know what to play) 

Examples: Single Player, Local Multiplayer, Multiplayer, Co-op, Local Co-op, Splitscreen

I'm not sure it's always the first choice, but certainly one of the most critical dimensions.

This is Dimension 6 (Players). All those categories are there, execpt Splitscreen, which I belive would be a sub-sub category.

Camera perspective is important to be it's own dimension

Examples: First Person, Third Person, Isometric, 2Dimensions

This is Dimension 4 (Space dimensions). Again, all categories are there.

(Gameplay) 

This describes what gameplay mechanics should be in the game.

Examples: Shooter, Racing, Stealth, Simulation, Survival, Turn Based etc.

This is broken in different dimensions: Dimension 10 (Challenge), 3 (Interaction Time) and 11 (Realism). Once again, all categories are there, even if more aggregated.

-Universe-

This describes the gameworld based on an (alternative) timeline

Examples: Prehistoric/Mythology/Medieval/History/WOII/Cyberpunk/Sci-Fi/Space/Horror/Fantasy/Surreal/Supernatural

This would be Dimension 12 (Theme). But I realize that it could be broken in additional dimensions, such as: Time, Space and Atmosphere. I'm going to update the Taxonomy, and then let me know what you think about it.

Aestetics

This one describes artstyle, but many games with 'realistic artstyle' are not tagged.

Examples: Pixels. Anime, Cartoon, Abstract

This could be an additional dimension either for Environment or Content. But it could also be seen as part of Dimension 11 (Realism). I'm not sure where to put it.

Regarding the categories, I see then Realistic, Cartoon (which would include Anime) and Pixels. I didn't understand the difference to Abstract. :S


Splitscreen is indeed a sub sub category. Online-Co-op is one I should have added.

Multiplayer>Competative>Online Multiplayer>Splitscreen
Multiplayer>Competative>Local Multiplayer>Splitscreen

Multiplayer>Co-op>Online Co-op>Splitscreen
Multiplayer>Co-op>Local Co-op>Splitscreen

Aestetics is a bad one because many games go for an realistic artstyle, however it's not tagged by gamers or devs as such. I checked on steam and abstract are games like Kairo and Anti-Chamber. Maybe another way to describe absract is to say minimalistic?

I got Aestetics from these 3 dimesions: Game Mechanics, Game Dynamics and Game Aestetics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDA_framework

I just went with aestetics = artstyle, but it's actually someting totally different.


 




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I would recommend to remove 'adventure' from the theme section. It doesn't describe a theme.

I think adventure and action are two of the most meaningless words in gaming.

You could also explore taxonomy of main characters or NPCs, but those would be a sub category's of 'theme'.

Tried it before:

Fairys
Gnomes
Trolls
Giants
Elves
Dwarf
Goblins
Vampiares
Werewolves
Reptilian
Insects
Cyborgs
Robots

Dinosaurs
Wildlife
Zombies
Dragons
Ghosts
Demons
Alien

Martial Artists
Cops
Criminal
Soldiers
Knights
Assassin



Distant Star said:
LGF said:

Great hints! Let's go step by step.

I'm not sure it's always the first choice, but certainly one of the most critical dimensions.

This is Dimension 6 (Players). All those categories are there, execpt Splitscreen, which I belive would be a sub-sub category.

This is Dimension 4 (Space dimensions). Again, all categories are there.

This is broken in different dimensions: Dimension 10 (Challenge), 3 (Interaction Time) and 11 (Realism). Once again, all categories are there, even if more aggregated.

This would be Dimension 12 (Theme). But I realize that it could be broken in additional dimensions, such as: Time, Space and Atmosphere. I'm going to update the Taxonomy, and then let me know what you think about it.

This could be an additional dimension either for Environment or Content. But it could also be seen as part of Dimension 11 (Realism). I'm not sure where to put it.

Regarding the categories, I see then Realistic, Cartoon (which would include Anime) and Pixels. I didn't understand the difference to Abstract. :S


Splitscreen is indeed a sub sub category. Online-Co-op is one I should have added.

Multiplayer>Competative>Online Multiplayer>Splitscreen
Multiplayer>Competative>Local Multiplayer>Splitscreen

Multiplayer>Co-op>Online Co-op>Splitscreen
Multiplayer>Co-op>Local Co-op>Splitscreen

Aestetics is a bad one because many games go for an realistic artstyle, however it's not tagged by gamers or devs as such. I checked on steam and abstract are games like Kairo and Anti-Chamber. Maybe another way to describe absract is to say minimalistic?

I got Aestetics from these 3 dimesions: Game Mechanics, Game Dynamics and Game Aestetics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDA_framework

I just went with aestetics = artstyle, but it's actually someting totally different.

I'm not sure what comes first, competitive vs. co-op or local vs. online.

Ok, so Aestetics is probably not the best term as it's so broad. Maybe graphical style?

Minimalistic seems like a good word to describe Abstract games. But wouldn't it be part of cartoon?

Based on what you said, I've come up with 3 additional dimensions for Group E (context). One that I had also thought about was the Dialog (either in text or audio). Here are the new dimensions:

However, when I look at them, they don't seem as relevant to game design as the others. And like you said, most games will fall in one of the categories (realistic, city, present).



Distant Star said:
I would recommend to remove 'adventure' from the theme section. It doesn't describe a theme.

I think adventure and action are two of the most meaningless words in gaming.

How would you classify Tomb Raider then? Crime? Is it a crime to kill bears and dinasaurs? :P

I agree that these terms can mean many things, specially "action". But if we define them properly, it may work.



LGF said:
DonFerrari said:

I see your point in the career making, but as games goes it isn't a sport rpg, it's a sport game with RPG element. RPG involves a lot more than what you described in there. Because even though you write your way to the championship, there isn't really a story going on.

On racing games I like sega rally, and love gran turismo. So I would like more simulators for console.

I agree, there isn't a story in the traditional sense, but who said a story was mandatory in a Role Playing Game? Role Play is a concept that goes beyond the gaming industry. It's used for instance in job interviews and job training. It involves assuming the role of a particular entity. So, why can't it be the manager of a football team? I know RPG has a rather specific meaning in the gaming community. But why not broaden our perspective?

About racing games, if you like simulators, you should be happy with Project CARS, Assetto Corsa and Dirt Rally. They have brought true simulation to consoles.

The idea of role playing game is to tell a history, not only to play a role. Because on the playing role part we already were doing that as children when we played pirates, medics, etc... rpg began on lord of the rings and fantasy... but telling a story is the core of it.

I have Project Cars (it isn't that good of a game)... Assetto Corsa I didn't see it yet for console, and neither did Dirt Rally got close from my memory of Sega Rally. I miss the good times of GT2 rally racing.



duduspace11 "Well, since we are estimating costs, Pokemon Red/Blue did cost Nintendo about $50m to make back in 1996"

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=8808363

Mr Puggsly: "Hehe, I said good profit. You said big profit. Frankly, not losing money is what I meant by good. Don't get hung up on semantics"

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=9008994

Azzanation: "PS5 wouldn't sold out at launch without scalpers."

LGF said:
Distant Star said:
I would recommend to remove 'adventure' from the theme section. It doesn't describe a theme.

I think adventure and action are two of the most meaningless words in gaming.

How would you classify Tomb Raider then? Crime? Is it a crime to kill bears and dinasaurs? :P

I agree that these terms can mean many things, specially "action". But if we define them properly, it may work.

I would classify Tomb Raider as (ancient) Mythology as a theme/universe. However time set is present day and that makes it a little confusing.
Uncharted would also be classified as (ancient) Mythology.