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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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By Posted in Culture, Tools No Comments

Need help coming up with an idea for your next project, portfolio piece, or game jam? Check out our Game Idea Generator. It’s a fun and easy-to-use tool to help you brainstorm your next big game concept.

With over 50 million unique combinations, you’ll definitely find inspiration for your next project. It combines various genres, settings, and themes — and then throws in a surprising twist, just to challenge your creativity with an outside-the-box constraint.

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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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By Posted in Culture, Tools 4 Comments
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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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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By Posted in Culture, Interviewing No Comments

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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By Posted in Careers, Culture 11 Comments

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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[Graphic] Periodic Table of Video Games, by Jason W. Bay, GameIndustryCareerGuide.com
You need this on your wall right now! (Click to see it big)
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Have you ever had an awesome idea rattling loudly around inside your head for months, or even years, but for some reason you can’t bring yourself to start? I’ve had this idea for years to make a poster of all the best games ever made. It would be organized like a periodic table of elements, grouped by genre, with each game’s release date instead of atomic weight.

It would be an incredible (and incredibly geeky!) conversation piece. My friends and I could debate about which games made the cut and how they were organized into which genres, and get excited about which games were our favorites from childhood (or, ahem, college). It would spark so many great memories–I couldn’t think of a better way to explain my life-long love of games with the people around me.

Well guess what? This year, I finally started making it… and today, I finally finished it! Gimme a high-five! Read more »

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