Gaming is a relatively new form of media that continues to evolve, with genres constantly being established and redefined.
Some games have introduced innovative gameplay mechanics, while others have revamped existing systems to create something unique and exciting.
Here are a few examples of games that have successfully created new genres within the gaming industry.
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Games That Started New Genres
1. PUBG: Battlegrounds – Battle Royale
Currently, battle royale games have gained significant popularity. These games involve multiple players engaging in large-scale multiplayer matches, where the ultimate objective is to be the sole survivor.
Over the past decade, the battle royale genre has seen numerous variations, ranging from shooter games like Fortnite to platformers like Fall Guys, and even puzzle games like Tetris 99.
Initially, battle royales emerged as modifications for games such as Minecraft, drawing inspiration from movies like Battle Royale and The Hunger Games.
Nevertheless, PUBG became the pioneering standalone battle royale game that propelled the genre into its current widespread fame.
2. Demon’s Souls – Souls-Like
The Souls-Like genre is relatively new compared to other genres. It was first introduced by the Souls games, developed by FromSoftware, which include Demon’s Souls and the Dark Souls trilogy.
FromSoftware’s unique Souls style can also be observed in some of their other games, such as Bloodborne, Elden Ring, and to a lesser extent, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
The Souls-Like genre stands out for its unique style of storytelling through the game’s environment, challenging level of difficulty, interconnected areas, and focus on epic boss battles.
Numerous game studios have made attempts to recreate the captivating essence of the Souls series, and both Salt and Sanctuary and Nioh have successfully achieved this.
3. Rogue – Roguelike
Rogue, a game that was initially released in 1980, made its way onto multiple gaming platforms such as Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and various PC systems.
The objective of Rogue is for players to navigate through levels filled with enemies in order to reach the final level of a dungeon and retrieve the Amulet of Yendor.
The game is known for its randomly generated levels, permanent death, and the availability of various useful items to collect during gameplay. These elements have since become defining features of the roguelike genre.
The genre of roguelike games is currently experiencing great success, with titles like Hades, Dead Cells, and the newly launched Rogue Legacy 2 achieving both commercial and critical acclaim.
These games are playing a significant role in expanding the genre’s popularity among mainstream gamers.
4. Donkey Kong – Platformer
When considering the genre of “platformer” games, numerous game types immediately come to mind. Platformers have a rich history with various subgenres, but they all owe their existence to the groundbreaking game Donkey Kong released in 1981.
Donkey Kong not only introduced Nintendo, Mario, and the iconic tie-wearing ape to the world but also revitalized the struggling video game industry. It laid the foundation for a new type of video game experience, setting an innovative archetype for future games.
5. Wolfenstein 3D – First-Person Shooter
Although many people credit 1993’s Doom as the game that popularized the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, the true pioneer is actually Wolfenstein 3D, which was released in 1992 and developed by the same company, id Software.
The innovative use of 3D graphics in Wolfenstein 3D was revolutionary for its time, and its influence can still be seen in FPS games even after many years.
6. Dear Esther – Walking Simulator
Games that revolutionized the gaming industry by introducing new genres can be traced back to the early 1990s. Myst, released in 1993, is considered one of the pioneers of first-person exploration and puzzle-based games. However, some video game historians argue that the roots of these genres can be found even earlier.
In 2008, a game called Dear Esther made a significant impact on the industry by introducing the concept of a “walking simulator”. Unlike traditional games with specific objectives, Dear Esther focused on immersing players in its narrative through exploration and observation
The unique and emotional story of Dear Esther can only be fully experienced through the interactive medium of video games, despite its simple gameplay style. This game’s artistic and understated design has served as inspiration for a multitude of other games, including Journey, What Remains of Edith Finch, and many more.
7. Pokemon – Monster-Collection
The significance and influence of Pokemon cannot be denied. Considered as one of the most successful franchises in any form of media, Pokemon has made its mark not only in the realm of anime and card games but also in its original RPGs, Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. These games are recognized as the birthplace of the Pokemon phenomenon.
In 1996, the Game Boy saw the release of the initial two Pokemon games, which pioneered the genre of monster-collection games. These games allowed players to assemble a team of captured creatures and engage in battles to become a master collector.
8. Metroid – Metroidvania
The genre known as Metroidvania has gained immense popularity in the gaming world. These games emphasize exploration, puzzle solving, and innovative level design, allowing players to interact with their surroundings in unique ways as they advance.
While some may refer to games like Brain Breaker from 1985 as the original innovators of this genre, it was actually Metroid from 1986 that established the framework for future games.
Metroid introduced the concept of exploring foreign lands and gathering important items to unlock new areas and abilities, setting a benchmark for countless remarkable gaming experiences that followed.
9. Harvest Moon – Farming Simulator
Although there were simulation games in the past that included farming elements, none of them could be considered as a true “Farming Simulator.” The game that first earned this title was the highly influential farming RPG called Harvest Moon, which was released in 1996.
Harvest Moon, a game that emerged as a groundbreaking and innovative idea during its time, focused primarily on the management and upkeep of a farm. This involved tasks such as cultivating crops, tending to farm animals, and ensuring that your small patch of land remained in excellent condition.
Additionally, the game incorporated a comprehensive relationship system, enabling players to form friendships and even get married to the various inhabitants of the town they resided in. Since its creation, Harvest Moon has served as a source of inspiration for numerous other games, including Stardew Valley and the more recent Harvestella by Square Enix.
10. Monster Hunter – Hunting
Although the concept of “action games” was already popular in 2004 when Monster Hunter was launched, this particular game stood out for its distinctive emphasis on prolonged battles against powerful boss enemies.
Developed by Capcom, Monster Hunter gave birth to a subgenre known as hunting games, which subsequently inspired other titles such as Dauntless, God Eater, and WIld Hearts.
Despite its modest popularity, this particular subgenre remains relatively limited, with only a handful of games falling into this category.
While there have been some well-received releases in this genre, Monster Hunter is still widely regarded as the dominant force and the benchmark against which all other games in this genre are measured.
11. Space Invaders – Shoot-em-ups
Shoot-em-ups are a specific type of shooting games that offer an elevated level of action. Typically, these games feature a vehicle or aircraft navigating through various stages, while unleashing a barrage of bullets to eliminate hordes of adversaries or colossal bosses.
This genre can be considered as the precursor to the popular ‘bullet hell’ games. This genre can be traced back to the iconic Space Invaders, which was first released in 1975.
In this game, players assumed the role of a spacecraft and had to shoot down alien invaders descending from the top of the screen.
This particular genre later paved the way for the creation of games like Gradius and Ikaruga. However, it is important to note that this genre has become relatively niche in the present day.
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