Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification

Steve Dahlskog; Andreas Kamstrup; Espen J. Aarseth

Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification

Steve Dahlskog, Andreas Kamstrup, Espen J. Aarseth

Center for Digital Play

Research output: Conference Article in Proceeding or Book/Report chapter › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Are typical computer game genres still valid descriptors and useful for describing game structure and game content? Games have changed from simple to complex and from single function to multi function. By identifying structural differences in game elements we develop a more nuanced model to categorized games and use cluster analysis as a descriptive tool in order to do so. The cluster analysis of 75 functionally different games shows that the two perspectives (omnipresent and vagrant), as well as challenges, mutability and savability are important functional categories to use in order to describe games.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	DiGRA '09 - Proceedings of the 2009 DiGRA International Conference: Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory
Place of Publication	Brunel University
Publication date	2009
Publication status	Published - 2009
Event	DiGRA 2009 – “Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory” - Stockholm, Sweden Duration: 1 Sept 2009 → 4 Sept 2009

Conference

Conference	DiGRA 2009 – “Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory”
Country/Territory	Sweden
City	Stockholm
Period	01/09/2009 → 04/09/2009

Keywords

Game analysis
Game typology
Cluster analysis
Digital games

Access to Document

http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/09287.47544.pdf

Cite this

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title = "Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification",

abstract = "Are typical computer game genres still valid descriptors and useful for describing game structure and game content? Games have changed from simple to complex and from single function to multi function. By identifying structural differences in game elements we develop a more nuanced model to categorized games and use cluster analysis as a descriptive tool in order to do so. The cluster analysis of 75 functionally different games shows that the two perspectives (omnipresent and vagrant), as well as challenges, mutability and savability are important functional categories to use in order to describe games.",

keywords = "Game analysis, Game typology, Cluster analysis, Digital games",

author = "Steve Dahlskog and Andreas Kamstrup and Aarseth, {Espen J.}",

year = "2009",

language = "English",

booktitle = "DiGRA '09 - Proceedings of the 2009 DiGRA International Conference: Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory",

note = "DiGRA 2009 – “Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory” ; Conference date: 01-09-2009 Through 04-09-2009",

}

Dahlskog, S, Kamstrup, A & Aarseth, EJ 2009, Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification. in DiGRA '09 - Proceedings of the 2009 DiGRA International Conference: Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory. Brunel University, DiGRA 2009 – “Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory”, Stockholm, Sweden, 01/09/2009. <http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/09287.47544.pdf>

Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification. / Dahlskog, Steve; Kamstrup, Andreas; Aarseth, Espen J.
DiGRA '09 - Proceedings of the 2009 DiGRA International Conference: Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory. Brunel University, 2009.

Research output: Conference Article in Proceeding or Book/Report chapter › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

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AU - Dahlskog, Steve

AU - Kamstrup, Andreas

AU - Aarseth, Espen J.

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Are typical computer game genres still valid descriptors and useful for describing game structure and game content? Games have changed from simple to complex and from single function to multi function. By identifying structural differences in game elements we develop a more nuanced model to categorized games and use cluster analysis as a descriptive tool in order to do so. The cluster analysis of 75 functionally different games shows that the two perspectives (omnipresent and vagrant), as well as challenges, mutability and savability are important functional categories to use in order to describe games.

AB - Are typical computer game genres still valid descriptors and useful for describing game structure and game content? Games have changed from simple to complex and from single function to multi function. By identifying structural differences in game elements we develop a more nuanced model to categorized games and use cluster analysis as a descriptive tool in order to do so. The cluster analysis of 75 functionally different games shows that the two perspectives (omnipresent and vagrant), as well as challenges, mutability and savability are important functional categories to use in order to describe games.

KW - Game analysis

KW - Game typology

KW - Cluster analysis

KW - Digital games

M3 - Article in proceedings

BT - DiGRA '09 - Proceedings of the 2009 DiGRA International Conference: Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory

CY - Brunel University

T2 - DiGRA 2009 – “Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Games, Play, Practice and Theory”

Y2 - 1 September 2009 through 4 September 2009

ER -

Mapping the game landscape: Locating genres using functional classification

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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