As you jump, shoot, or type your way through the world of video games, you’ll notice that video game genres are loosely defined. And hey, arguing about how to classify your favorite games is a hallmark of fandom — so I’m all for it.

To help you win those debates, I’ve compiled this super authoritative list of video game genres. For each one, we’ll talk about what it is, what makes it special, and even a few tips to help you decide which ones to try next. I know there’s a perfect genre out there for everyone. Maybe this list will help you find yours!

So grab your controller, keyboard, or touchscreen, and get ready to explore the vast and varied landscape of video game genres.

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Video games have evolved a lot since the days of Pong and Pac-Man. Along the way, they’ve played a significant role in shaping other forms of media — especially the world of cinema. Do you love games and movies? Then don’t sleep on these classic movies featuring video games (real or fictional) as a key element driving the theme, story, and characters.

Ranging from 1982 to 2018, each one is like a time capsule, capturing a snapshot of the way video games were impacting society’s hopes and fears. So grab that futuristic brain-computer interface, jack in, and transport yourself to the world of classic movies where video games take center stage.

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If you’re a gamer, then you already know the video game community has a big heart — especially when it comes to giving back and supporting those in need. Every year, gamers from all backgrounds come together for charity gaming events. We’re united by our love of gaming, and a desire to make a difference.

When gamers host and participate in charity gaming events, it doesn’t just highlight the entertainment value of video games — it showcases our collective power to bring people together for a greater good.

So if charity gaming sounds to you like a great way to have fun while giving back, check out these video game charity events that happen every year.

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The game industry has come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. Today, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry — and it continues to grow year after year.

But despite its popularity, there are still so many misconceptions about game development and the people who do it. From the belief that game development requires a degree, to the misconception that it’s for young males only, let’s take a few minutes to debunk the worst myths about game development, once and for all.

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Dig Dug didn't make the list, but it's one of my personal favorites! (GDC 2011)

If you want to make video games for a living, it’s incredibly helpful to learn a bit of video game history. Which games made the biggest impact on the world, and why? Which iconic games changed the course of video game design forever?

Playing historically important games is not just for fun. It will also make you a better game developer. It will help you understand the evolution of games as an art form, and experience the kinds of features and mechanics that history’s best designers used to create engaging and successful games.

In other words, by studying the games that shaped the industry, you can learn from the successes (and mistakes!) of the past. Then you can bring that knowledge to the table when you’re designing of your own games.

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Like any massive industry, the game industry has more than its share of acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon. Industry jargon helps people on the inside communicate more easily, but makes it hard for outsiders or newbies to understand what’s going on. How can you search for the information you need, if you don’t even know which terms to use?

If you’re new to the game industry, the glossary below will get you up to speed fast. It avoids “power user” jargon, instead focusing on the key terms you’ll need during your job search, or your first year on the job.

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Historically, video game companies have struggled with diversity. Even though female game developers have made important contributions since the beginning, the fact is, game teams were largely staffed and run by people closer to the “nerdy white guy” stereotype.

The problem is, games tend to reflect the backgrounds and interests of their makers. So it’s not surprising that a lack of diversity on game teams has resulted in a lack of diversity in games — in terms of protagonists, characters, stories, and accessibility.

But all that is changing, and fast. Here are three important ways the game industry is working to make games, and game development, more accessible, diverse, and inclusive for everyone.

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When it comes to work life balance, all companies are not created equal. It might feel uncomfortable to ask about work life balance in a job interview – after all, you want your potential employer to know that you’re a team player who’s not afraid of hard work. But the job interview might be the only chance you get to discuss this important topic, before you end up in a job that doesn’t value your personal life.

So if you’re interviewing for a new job, how can you figure out whether a company respects their employees’ work life balance – before it’s too late?

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A job in the video game industry can take your career in any direction, anywhere in the world. You can thrive in a range of companies, from a big-budget “triple-A” team — such as the developers of Call of Duty — to a group of friends creating the next hit indie game, to a mobile game company developing the next great mobile game.

Having so many career options is great, but it does pose a problem for job-seekers: How do you decide what kind of company you should work for?

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The video game industry may be “male dominated,” but women have been making games for decades, and their contributions have easily rivaled the most famous male game developers.

Whether through game design, programming, writing, or producing, these 17 women game developers have fundamentally shaped the way you play games today. We owe them all a big round of applause—and a big round of thanks—for the outsized impact they’ve made on our lives, and continue making, through video games.

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