Why Genres Matter

• Shared vocabulary for players and developers
• Set player expectations
• Define design patterns and conventions

Platformer

Core

Jumping & Movement

Challenge

Timing & Precision

Mastery

Level Knowledge

Examples: Super Mario, Celeste, Hollow Knight, Ori

RPG (Role-Playing Game)

Core

Character Progression

Engagement

Story & Choices

Systems

Stats & Equipment

Examples: Final Fantasy, Skyrim, The Witcher, Persona

FPS (First-Person Shooter)

Core

Aiming & Shooting

Skills

Reflexes & Awareness

Feel

Weapon Feedback

Examples: Counter-Strike, DOOM, Valorant, Call of Duty

Puzzle

Core

Logic & Deduction

Reward

"Aha!" Moments

Design

Escalating Complexity

Examples: Portal, Tetris, Baba Is You, The Witness

Strategy

Core

Planning & Decisions

Resources

Management & Trade-offs

Types

RTS, Turn-based, 4X

Examples: Civilization, StarCraft, XCOM, Age of Empires

Roguelike

Core

Permadeath

Content

Procedural Generation

Loop

Run-based Progression

Examples: Hades, Dead Cells, Spelunky, Enter the Gungeon

Simulation

Core

Systems Modeling

Appeal

Expression & Control

Pace

Relaxed, Self-directed

Examples: The Sims, Cities: Skylines, Stardew Valley, Flight Simulator

Horror

Core

Tension & Fear

Design

Atmosphere & Sound

Feel

Vulnerability

Examples: Resident Evil, Amnesia, Phasmophobia, Silent Hill

Sandbox

Core

Freedom & Creativity

World

Open Exploration

Goals

Player-defined

Examples: Minecraft, Terraria, GTA, Garry's Mod

9 Core Genres

Genres = Shared Language

"It's like Dark Souls meets Tetris"

Instantly communicates design intent

Metroidvania

Metroidvania

Exploration

Interconnected world

Ability Gating

New powers unlock areas

Backtracking

Revisit with new abilities

Examples: Hollow Knight, Ori, Dead Cells

Souls-like

Souls-like

Combat

Challenging & precise

Stamina

Resource management

Pace

Deliberate & methodical

Examples: Elden Ring, Lies of P, Nioh

Deck-builder Roguelike

Deck-builder Roguelike

Cards

Build your deck

Runs

Permadeath resets

Synergy

Combo discovery

Balatro (2024) — Poker + Roguelike = GOTY nominee

Live-Service vs Narrative

Both Models Work

Genres Keep Evolving

What is "Juice"?

The extra that makes actions feel good

What is "Juice"?

Same action, completely different feel

Elements of Juice

Resources: Basic Skills for Game Juice | Juice it or lose it (GDC)

Juice in Action

Vlambeer — Masters of game feel

Feedback Loops

↺ Repeat

Feedback Loops

"Just one more..."

Cookie Clicker — Warning: Very Addictive

The Slot Machine in Your Brain

Both are design tools. Use responsibly.

Risk vs Reward

Risk vs Reward

Tension → Release → Satisfaction

"Earning" Your Rewards

• Easy rewards feel hollow
• Difficult rewards feel meaningful
• The struggle is part of the fun

Flow State

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1934-2021)

"The state of complete absorption in an activity"

TED Talk: Flow, the secret to happiness

The Flow Zone

Achieving Flow

Games are uniquely suited to create flow

Dynamic Difficulty

Games that adapt to keep you in flow

MDA Framework

A formal approach to understanding games

Hunicke, LeBlanc, Zubek (2004)

MDA Framework

MDA Example: Chess

Why Games Feel Good: Recap

• Juice — Satisfying feedback
• Loops — Engagement cycles
• Risk/Reward — Meaningful stakes
• Flow — Perfect challenge balance
• MDA — Design framework

Let's Play!

What to Look For

Game 1 — Celeste Classic

maddymakesgamesinc.itch.io/celesteclassic

Game 1 — Observe

• How does movement feel?
• What sounds do you notice?
• What makes you want to continue?

Game 2 — Vampire Survivors

poncle.itch.io/vampire-survivors

Game 2 — Compare

• How is the feel different?
• Different genre, different expectations?
• What juice elements do you notice?

Game 3 (If Time) — Spelunky Classic

yancharkin.github.io/SpelunkyClassicHDhtml5

What Did You Notice?

• What genres did you identify?
• What made each game feel good?
• Any juice elements stand out?
• Which game had the best "feel"?

Key Takeaway

Small details create big feelings

You'll implement these techniques throughout the course

Next Time

Engines, Tech & Hardware

Including: Why we chose Godot for this course

See You Next Class!

Questions? Come chat after class.