Generally, a game is a competitive activity that involves player interaction, skill, and strategy. Games are categorized into three groups: single-player games, multiplayer games, and simulation games. A game can be free-to-play or monetized through microtransactions.
A single-player game is a game in which the player must face an artificial opponent. There are two basic types of single-player games: battles against chance and battles against the player’s own skills. Games that are deterministic use strategy to win, while games that require players to interact with the environment require skill.
Games that involve player interaction include role playing games, video games, and tabletop games. Role playing games simulate real-life activities, such as sports and piloting vehicles. Some games are designed to be a simulation of civilizations, while others are designed to be a simulation of individual sports. Some games are designed to be a simulation of physical activities, such as running on a platform or shooting guns.
Multiplayer games can involve teams of players or independent opponents. Games that involve many independent players can be difficult to analyze formally using game theory. Some games, such as the Call of Duty franchise, allow players to form cooperative coalitions. Usually, a single player game can be classified as an action-adventure game, which involves overcoming obstacles and progressing through multiple levels. Depending on the rules of a game, it may be categorized as a simulation or a role playing game.
Games that use realistic physics, such as the bullet hell genre, have a tendency to require players to avoid or dodge damage. Other games rely on shooting weapons, such as in the first person shooter genre. Some games use a checkpoint system that acts as a safe point for the player. Some games have a “grind” system, which requires players to complete simple tasks repeatedly.
In addition to games that require skill, there are many games that require players to interact with the environment, such as puzzle games. Puzzle games require players to solve logic and visual problems. These games often use anime-style graphics to create a visual experience. Some games have a storyline that guides the player’s actions.
Typically, a story is accompanied by a storyboard, which is a series of one-panel sketches accompanied by dialogue. In most games, the storyboard serves as a guideline for the rules and the game manual. Stories can be created by game writers, or they can be inspired by popular media. The goal of a game story is to make the game more enjoyable for the player.
A game may be monetized through ads or microtransactions. Some free-to-play games are monetized through videos and rewarded videos. Some games are designed to be a training tool, in which players are taught how to improve their performance over time.
Deterministic games are usually described as having “perfect information.” The only unknown in deterministic games is the opponent’s thought processes. Some games have no decisions, such as Chutes and Ladders. However, deterministic games do require skill and strategy to win.