Computer Games Report: Genres, Technology, and Societal Impact

This report provides a comprehensive overview of computer games, starting with an introduction to different genres and their characteristics, including action, action-adventure, adventure, role-playing, strategic, sports, educational, and simulated games. The report then critically compares these genres based on factors like speed, cost, quality, ease of access, and best platform, offering insights into their respective target audiences. Furthermore, the report evaluates current gaming technology and user interaction, exploring platform preferences and demographics. Finally, the report examines the impact of computer games on society, providing a well-rounded analysis of the subject matter. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and providing references to support the analysis.

Computer Games

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
A) List of ten games genres....................................................................................................1
B) Critical comparison of games............................................................................................2
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
Evaluation of current games technology and user interaction..............................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................14
Impact of computer games on society..................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

Index of Tables
Table 1: List of games genres..........................................................................................................1
Table 2: Gaming technology and user interaction in UK..............................................................10
Illustration Index
Illustration 1: GTA V.......................................................................................................................2
Illustration 2: Assassin's Creed........................................................................................................4
Illustration 3: Age of Empires..........................................................................................................6
Illustration 4: NEED for SPEED ....................................................................................................8
Illustration 5: Most preferable platform.........................................................................................10
Illustration 6: Video Games Genres...............................................................................................10
Illustration 7: UK player demographics ........................................................................................11
Illustration 8: AMERICAN GAMERS: 47% PREFER CONSOLES, 27% PREFER PC ...........12
Illustration 9: The state of 4K gaming: What you need to know, from pricing to performance
needs..............................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Computer games are also known as video games which are specifically designed to
entertain kids and young people. There are different types and genres of computer games which
are available in market for kids and youth according to their content and ratings (Scharkow and
et.al., 2015). According to this context, this report will cover the aspects of computer games for
younger audience. A list of computer games according to their genres, types, platform and
content will be made. Critically comparison of the games on the basis of their speed, quality, cost
and ease of access will be made in this assignment. Further, evaluation of certain types of games
for particular generation on the basis of content and graphics of games will be analysed and will
be presented in this report.
TASK 1
A) List of ten games genres
Table 1: List of games genres
Games Genres Platform Content Rating Examples
Action Computer and
Consoles Devices
Mature rated for teens
and adults above 17
years
Halo, Call of Duty
Action Adventure Computers, consoles,
handheld and mobile
devices
Teen Rated and for
teens above 15 years
Assassin Creed
Adventure Computer and mobile
devices
Everyone above 10
years
Resident Evil
Role Playing Consoles and Personal
Computers
Everyone above 10
years
Mass Effect
Strategic Handheld and Mobile
devices
Everyone above 5
years
Warcraft
Sports Computers and Virtual
reality console system
Everyone above 10
years
Need for Speed, FIFA
series
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Educational Computers, console,
mobile, handheld
devices
Everyone above 3
years
Math Blaster, Crazy
Laboratory
Board Games Computers, console,
mobile, handheld
devices
Everyone above 5
years
3-D Chess
First Person Shooters
(FPS)
Computer and
Consoles Devices
Everyone above 10
years
Counter Strike, Delta
Force
Simulated games Virtual reality console
system
Everyone above 10
years
Spore
B) Critical comparison of games
Computer and video games are entertaining the life of kids, teens and young generation
since its innovation. It implies that video games are designed to make life of people less stressful
and provide them a chance to entertain themselves. This part will contain a critical comparison of
games genres on the basis of their cost, quality, ease of access, best platform and speed.
Action Games
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Action games emphasize physical challenges that require eye-hand coordination and
motor sensory skill to overcome (Comello and et.al., 2016). They centre around the player, who
is in control of most of the action. Action games are usually developed for teens and young
adults with majority of mature rated games. The graphics contains blood, profanity and many
adult conditions which are not meant for kids. Below are the bases provided to critically compare
action games on the basis of speed, cost, platform, etc. Speed: The speed of action games depends upon the platform on which the game is been
playing on. Albeit, the games are classified into shooter games, stealth games, survival
games, etc. The speed and efficiency of action game genres are more than any other
genres. Quality: The quality of action games is better than any other genres in terms of graphics
and story. Cost: The cost of action games varies on the basis of graphics, design, story, software and
time taken for development of game (Lemmens and Hendriks, 2016). For example, the
costliest game of 2013 was Grand Theft Auto V which cost £50 per game.
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Illustration 1: GTA V
(Source: Grand Theft Auto V, 2017)

 Ease of use: Action games are mainly paid games and people who can afford those
games can only access them easily.
 Best Platform: Albeit, action games can be played on any platform, the best platform to
play these genres of games are Console devices such as Sony Play station 4 or Microsoft
X-Box One and Hybrid Personal Computers. Appropriate for Audience: Action games rated by Entertainment Software Rating Board
on the basis of their graphic content and story. The majority of games are rated mature
(M) i.e. for teens above 17 years.
Action Adventure Games
Action adventure games are those games which contains adventurous story line to attract
the young generation (Ntsweng and Tan, 2016). Below is the comparison of action adventure
game on the basis of various factors is provided Speed: The speed of action games is based on the platform on which they are operating
on. For example, the speed and efficiency will be much better if these games are
operating on computers rather than any other device.
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Illustration 2: Assassin's Creed
(Source: Ubisoft - Assassin's Creed: Rebellion, 2017)

 Quality: The quality of action adventure games is not much efficient as compared to
action games, as these games are designed for younger audience mainly teenagers Cost: The cost to develop action adventure games varies from game to game. Some
games are cheap, while some games are expensive. For example, Assassin Creed was the
expensive action adventure game series. Ease of use: Many of the action adventure games are available on different websites and
online gaming websites. Moreover, these games can be played in gaming parlours and
cyber cafes, after paying certain amount Best Platform: The best platform for playing action adventure games are personal
computers and consoles devices such as Sony Play station 4 or Microsoft X-Box One. Appropriate for Audience: Some games are designed for kids above 10 years, while
majority of games are Teen rated i.e. for young people above 15 years.
Adventure Games
Adventure games were some of the earliest games created. These games are specifically
based on the gameplay (Khenissi and et.al., 2016). The player needs to solve series of puzzles by
interacting with games character in order to accomplish the mission. Below is the comparison
provided on the basis of various factors: Speed: The speed of adventure games depends on the player efficiency and accuracy.
Most of the adventure games are designed to be accomplished in one day or week.
Further the speed of games is also based on the platforms or systems. Quality: The quality of adventure games is based on the graphics and content of games.
For example, the quality of text adventure games is not much effective as compared to
quality of graphic or real time 3-D adventure games. Cost: The cost of adventure games depends upon the gameplay and quality (Ntsweng and
Tan, 2016). Some games are freely available on online gaming website, while some
games are paid and are expensive too. For example, Rise Against the Adventure is one of
the expensive adventure game. Ease of use: Everyone can access and use adventure games through various platforms
like handheld consoles or mobile phones and computers. Best Platform: The best platform to play adventurous games are personal computers.
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 Appropriate for Audience: Everyone can play adventure games especially kids above 10
years.
Role Playing Games
Role playing games, cast the player in the role of one or more "adventurers" who
specialize in specific skill sets (such as melee combat or casting magic spells) while progressing
through a predetermined storyline (Gee, 2014). Comparison on various factors that differentiate
role play games genres with other is provided below: Speed: The speed of games is based on the design and quality of games. For example,
Action RPG games are efficient in speed because these games are single player as
compared to MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer online role-playing games) Quality: Quality of games depends on their classification. For example, the quality of
first person role playing games are more as compared to other games. Cost: Role playing games are easily affordable as compared to any other genres of
games. Some games are freely available on online gaming websites. Ease of use: Everyone can access to role playing games either by accessing online
gaming websites or purchasing it from gaming stores. Best Platform: The best platform for playing role playing games are computers and
console systems. Appropriate for Audience: The appropriate audience for these games are small children
of age more than 5 years.
Strategic Games
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The gameplay of strategic games is based on some specific strategies and mission which
the player has to accomplish in order to finish the game (Eichenbaum and et.al., 2015). The
factors of comparison are provided below: Speed: Strategic games are slow and hard to finish. As player has to use various strategies
in order to finish the game. Though, the due to low specification requirement, these
games can be efficiently being played on any device. Quality: The quality of strategic games is depended upon the gameplay. Games with
smoother interface are of high quality (Green and et.al., 2017). For example, Age of
Empire and Warcraft are some of high quality games. Cost and Ease of use: These games are usually cheaper as compared to other genres and
can be easily accessible from game stores or gaming websites. Best Platform: Personal Computers and Smartphones are the best platform to play the
games. Appropriate for Audience: Games are specifically designed for children above age 5.
Sports Games
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Illustration 3: Age of Empires
(Source: Age of Empires II HD Steam Key GLOBAL, 2017)

Sports are video games that simulate sports. This opposing team(s) can be controlled by
other real-life people or artificial intelligence. Below are the factors on which these games can be
compared on: Speed: Sports games are known for its speed and efficiency. The performance of these
games depended upon the level of configuration installed in computers or consoles. Quality: The quality of sports games is efficient and effective enough to attract young
audience. For Example, Need for Speed series is popular among youth because of its
quality Cost and Ease of use: These games are expensive. The cost of these games ranges from
£10 to £30 per game. For example, the cost of FIFA 2017 is £13.49 in UK. Players or
users can purchase these games from online or offline gaming stores. Best Platform: Sony Play station 4 or Microsoft X-Box One consoles systems Appropriate for Audience: Everyone above age 10 years.
Educational and Board Games
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Illustration 4: NEED for SPEED
(Source: NEED FOR SPEED WORLD, 2017)

Educational games are designed and developed to provide interactive learning lesson to
kids in form of video games (Green and Bavelier, 2015). Board video games are the imitation of
real board games, but can be virtually played by the player on television or computer screen. Speed: These games are slow as compared to other genres. More time required to
complete the games as these games are specifically designed for kids. Quality: The quality of these games is efficient enough to attract kids and young people. Cost and Ease of use: These games are easily affordable and accessible to everyone.
These games can be purchased or downloaded from online gaming websites. Best Platform: Personal Computers and consoles system are best platforms to play these
games. Appropriate for Audience: These games can be played by anyone, but are specifically
designed for kids above 5 years.
Stimulated games
These games involve taking control of real-world vehicles, including tanks, ships, and
aircraft. Below are the factors of comparison. Speed and Quality: The speed of stimulated games is efficient both in speed and quality
as compared to action and adventurers gaming genres (Scharkow and et.al., 2015). Cost and Ease of use: These games are more costly and expensive as compared to any
other genre. Everyone cannot afford stimulated games. Best Platform: These games can be played efficiently on Virtual Reality and Stimulated
devices.
 Appropriate for Audience: Appropriate for mature and teenagers respectively.
Justification of Evaluation
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