PCGamingWiki:Taxonomy

Introduction

We are basing our taxonomy on MobyGames. Aim is to adapt and modify some of their definitions into categories more appropriate for PCGamingWiki.

• Notes: Taxonomy/Notes
• Reference: MobyGames Genre Definitions page

Applying the categories to PCGamingWiki

Category names should be simple and avoid punctuation.

Definitions should be adapted to be concise and short and to the point.

Article page in main namespace giving the definition of the genre.

Category page contains a brief definition, with a link to the main article.

Taxonomy

Perspectives

A game can have multiple perspectives.

Perspectives

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
First-person - w	1st-person	View from the first-person.		Doom
Third-person	3rd-person (Other)	View from the third-person of a player character, normally behind or over the shoulder.		Gears of War, Stranglehold, Batman: Arkham Asylum
Cinematic camera	Cinematic camera	Fixed camera positions that the player cannot exert control, or exert limited control over.		Beyond: Two Souls
Bird's-eye view	Bird's-eye view	Any view that is above a player character or is an overview of a larger world, often at a small angle.		Fallout, Civilization
Top-down view	Top-down	A view from directly above facing down, is relatively fixed and does not have much of an angle. Also called an overhead view.		Ultima VII, Grand Theft Auto
Side view	Side view	Any view from the side for both scrolling and static environments.		Katana Zero
Scrolling	2D scrolling	Game world scrolls according to movement of the character.		Thomas Was Alone
Free-roaming camera	Free-roaming camera	Player can freely control the camera to scroll, rotate or zoom through a larger environment.
Isometric	Isometric	View using isometric 2D assets to create the impression of 3D space. Often incorporates a bird’s-eye view.		Into the Breach, Ultima VII, Fallout
Flip screen	Fixed / flip-screen	Flip screen divides the game world into fixed screens, displayed one at a time. Commonly found in 2D platform games.	Giant Bomb	The Binding of Isaac
Text-based	Text-based / spreadsheet	These games have no graphical viewpoint as they are composed entirely of text or spreadsheets.		Zork
Audio-based	Audio game	Audio games have no graphical viewpoint and feature only audio. Audio games can have visuals, but can be played on audio cues alone.		Terraformers

Control

Control

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Direct control	Direct control	Directly control a single character at a time, usually using directional buttons and other action buttons to interact with the environment directly.
Menu-based	Menu structures	Controls primarily through menus or an abstracted interface.
Motion control	Motion control	Controls captured through motion controllers, gyroscopes or cameras.
Multiple select	Multiple units/characters control	Control or selects multiple characters or units at the same time.
Point and select	Point and select	Controls through pointing and selecting. This can be done by mouse, controller or motional controls or other gestures.
Text input	Text parser	Control through text input from the player, typically in the form of typed sentences or keystrokes.		The Typing of the Dead, Zork
Voice control	Voice control	These games are controlled by the voice of the player or other sounds the player (or his environment) makes.

Pacing

Pacing

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Relaxed	Meditative / zen	Meditative may aim to relax the player and often have no goals and no fail states.
Persistent	Persistent	Gameplay continues even when player is not playing the game, and the game state is either simulated on a remote server or changes over time are calculated when the player returns to the game.		Clicker Heroes
Real-time	Real-time	Real-time games present the game continuously, as opposed to in turns.		Age of Empires
Turn-based	Turn-based	Turn-based games are divided in turns and rounds. Players can usually only interact with the game during their turn.		Civilization

Art style

Art style

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Anime	Anime / manga	Using an anime art style, including manga and hentai.		Attack on Titan
Comic book	(none)
Cel-shaded	(none)		Wikipedia list	XIII. Crackdown 3
Full motion video (FMV)	Full Motion Video (FMV)	Games in which most of the game is presented as full motion video (FMV) or other forms of animations as well as live action. Many of these games are interactive movies where the player can from time to time choose a path to take with minimal or timed input. It also covers games where most of the game content is shown through full motion video. This art style refers to the gameplay content, not the cut-scenes.		Dragon's Lair Trilogy
Live action	Live action	Games where a large part of the interactive gameplay makes use of live action scenes. This is an art style for videography that uses real actors in footage shot with cameras. It can be complemented with CGI, but the actors themselves are not animated. This art style is not related to the use of motion capture to animate characters. Digitised characters also do not apply. The live action scenes need to be part of the interactive gameplay. Games that use live action scenes exclusively for static cut-scenes use the game group Live action cut-scenes instead. A large amount of games with Live action as an art style for the interactive gameplay carry the art style Full Motion Video in addition. It is also used for Chromakey recordings with actors against a video backdrop or an animated background, as long as the actors are part of interactive gameplay sequences.
Video backdrop	Video backdrop	Games where the interactive gameplay largely or entirely takes place against a backdrop with recorded footage. The footage can be edited or enhanced, but it needs to have been recorded with cameras. These games then have other elements in the foreground, either animated characters, vehicles or other elements, or live action actors brought into the game using chromakey. This genre is not to be used for titles where in interactive parts both the actors and the environment are filmed together. It also does not apply to games where the video backdrop is only used for cut-scenes and not the gameplay itself.

Genres

Renamed MobyGames 'Gameplay' into 'Genres'.

Genres

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Action	Action	Primary gameplay tests some of the following: accuracy, movement, reflexes, timing. Only used for games that don't fit into other genres like driving or sports.		Doom
Adventure	Adventure	Primary emphasises on narrative, dialogue and puzzle solving, with less emphasis on action.		The Secret of Monkey Island
Educational	Educational	Teaching educational topics through gameplay.	Notes	Jack and Sara: Educational Game
Puzzle	Puzzle	Puzzle solving gameplay, which could include physical, logical, trivia, word puzzles and others etc.		Lyne, The Witness
Racing	Racing / driving	Racing gameplay to win a race, which could be in a vehicle or mount and not just as a short sequence within the greater game.		Moto Racer
Role-playing game	Role-Playing (RPG)	Player controls character or party members in a world, and often include quests, items, dialogue and often offer character progression in the form of experience, levels and skill points.	Notes	Baldur's Gate
Simulation	Simulation	Gameplay closely models real world activities in a more realistic manner than most other games.	Notes	Euro Truck Simulator
Sports	Sports	Players control either players or managers of a real or fictional sports.	Notes	FIFA 19
Strategy	Strategy / tactics	Strategic or tactical usage of units and resources in combat or other scenarios.	Notes	XCOM 2, Plants vs. Zombies
4X	4X	4X is the abbreviation for "eXploration, eXpansion, eXploitation, and eXtermination" and are often a type of grand strategy game.		Civilization, Endless Space
Action RPG	Action RPG	Role-playing games with more focus on real-time action elements, such as combat and exploration, than most role-playing games.		Diablo III
Arcade	Arcade	Simple games with origins in coin-op arcades.		Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+
Artillery	Artillery	Tactical games in which players try to damage each other by shooting artillery shells or other weaponry influenced by gravity over large distances.		Worms, Hogs of War
Brawler	Beat 'em up / brawler	Focus on melee combat with a large number of enemies. Usually divided into levels similar to platform games or action games. Not to be confused with fighting games.
Board	Board game	Board games are usually strategy games which often represent or are
Cards or tiles	Cards / tiles	Card games are usually digital translation of traditional card games such as Poker, Solitaire or Bridge, but can also include new games that use the format of a card game or a card game as a mini-game. A related sub-genre is Trading/Collectible Card, which focuses purely on Trading Card games.
Clicker	(none)	Gameplay revolving around clicking and menus with often very shallow gameplay.		Clicker Heroes
Gambling or casino	Casino / gambling	Simulation of a casino game (slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.) or any other form of gambling or betting such as dog races.
Chess	Chess	Chess refers to any game featuring chess or its variations. Combine with Puzzle Elements if it refers to or features chess problems/puzzles.
Construction and management simulation	City building / construction simulation	City Building or Construction Simulation games are games that allow players to build and expand a city, or other construction project (such as a commercial building, theme park or zoo).	Wikipedia	Sim City, RollerCoaster Tycoon
Dating simulation	Dating simulation	Dating Simulation games are games in which the player must try to date various AI characters with the goal of developing a romantic relationship. Gameplay consists mostly of conversing with characters and trying to give the right answers to increase that characters disposition towards you.
Falling block puzzle	Falling block puzzle	Falling Block Puzzle games are usually action based puzzle games in which objects enter the screen at the top and have to be arranged by the player to form pairs, lines, or other shapes or combinations of colors and/or shapes.
Fighting	Fighting	Fighting games allow players to engage in melee arena combat. Usually one-on-one, but team fighting games also exist. Fights continue until one of the characters or teams is knocked out. Additional endings may include being forced out of the arena/ring or a time limit. Fighting games should not be confused with Beat ‘em Ups / Brawlers which feature more overwhelming odds in the form of many less powerful antagonists.
Game show / trivia / quiz	Game show / trivia / quiz	Game Show / Trivia / Quiz games test the player on his knowledge on certain subjects or his ability to discover hidden words or pictures. Usually the player is rewarded with points or virtual currency.
Graphic adventure	Graphic adventure	Graphical Adventure is a broad genre encompassing all traditional Adventure games with graphics and animations. This excludes Interactive Fiction, Interactive Movies and Visual Novels.
Hack and slash	Hack and slash	Games with hack and slash gameplay focus on combat with hand-to-hand weapons as opposed to guns, even though the presence of guns as additional weapons does not exclude the use of the genre. It is predominately used in action role-playing games and action games with RPG elements.		Castle Crashers
Hidden object	Hidden object	Games where the player must find objects hidden in a picture.
Hunting	Hunting	These games simulate hunting of wildlife or game as the primary gameplay.
Idle	(none)	Minimal gameplay that rewards players who do not interact with the game.	Wikipedia calls this an Incremental game.
Interactive book	Interactive book	The entire game is represented as a linear (picture) book where the story is read or narrated. Elements allow the player to interact with parts of the book for a short sequence or a reaction. This does not influence the story and interactions do not represent a choice that alters the course of events. These titles are often educational and aimed at children, but an educational angle is not mandatory.
Interactive fiction / text adventure	Interactive fiction / text adventure	Interactive Fiction games (also known as Text Adventures) are Adventure games in which the player navigates through the game which is presented mostly in textual form. Usually the player interacts with the world by typing simple sentences of what he intends to which are interpreted by the game. Interactive Fiction can have a small amount of graphics to illustrate an area, the player must in this case still interact using textual input. Illustrations should not be required to finish the game.
Japanese-style adventure	Japanese-style adventure	Japanese-style RPGs (or JRPGs) usually feature a more linear story line compared to traditional RPGs and focus on character development of a group of fixed characters. Most commonly they feature turn based combat with or without limited character placement. The player selects performed actions from a pop-up action menu.
Japanese-style RPG (JRPG)	Japanese-style RPG (JRPG)	Japanese-style Adventure games, like Western adventures, focus on experiencing a narrative through the eyes of usually a single protagonist. This is achieved by interacting with the environment and receiving textual feedback from the game. In contrast to Western adventures, Japanese-style adventures have no Puzzle Elements, rarely feature an inventory, and are usually viewed from first-person perspective, without physical movement.
Life / social simulation	Life / social simulation	Life and Social Simulation games allow the player to control the life of humans, animals or other things that are alive or resemble living things. These types of simulation games can simulate an eco system or the (social) relation between the different life forms.
(redundant)	Managerial / business simulation	Managerial and Business Simulation games mold management of people and resources and economic business activities in a game format. Usually the aim of the game is to make money through strategic uses of the available resources and to try to grow as a company. Usually the individual management of employees of the player's company plays a large role.
Massively Multiplayer	Massively Multiplayer	Massively Multiplayer Virtual Worlds are a form of online community that allow a large number of players to play in the same game space, such as a MMO game. A significant amount of player to player interaction and communication is a requirement to belong to this genre. A common type is the Multi-User Dungeon (MUD), which can be represented by text only, or by graphics and are usually controlled with textual input using a text parser.
Mental training	Mental training	Mental Training games serve as means for the player to improve their mental capacity. These games most often offer various puzzles, sums and reflex mini-games that serve to train and exercise the mind.
Metroidvania	Metroidvania	Metroidvania is a subgenre of Action games. The term is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania and refers to games that feature the most distinctive gameplay concepts of the Metroid games and later Castlevania games, starting with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (although Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is sometimes considered to be in the same category). Games of this genre feature gameplay in an explorable world that is gated in content mainly by specific abilities that need to be acquired by the player, and which gradually opens up more as the player overcomes its obstacles. Generally these games have a central hub from which the player can move to various interconnected areas or levels, some degree of persistency to their game worlds and some degree of non-linear progression while subtly guiding the player towards the next intended path. The vast majority of Metroidvania games use a side scrolling perspective like the games the term derives from and the term was for a long time used to describe only such games, but this is no longer a requirement. Top-down or bird's-eye view (e.g. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening) or 3D games (e.g. Batman: Arkham Asylum) can also share these concepts. Metroidvania games often feature mild RPG elements such as stat-based character development (upgradable health, strength and luck for example), respawning enemies, NPCs that talk to the player and trading for gear and items.		Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Mini-games	Mini-games	Some games have a collection of mini-games. Either this is the entire game, or the mini-games are in addition of a core game. Mini-games are short activities with almost instant gratification. Games should have a significant amount of mini-games to be tagged with this genre.
Music / rhythm	Music / rhythm	Music / Rhythm games are games in which the player makes music or must operate at a certain beat or rhythm. Some music game might require actual music instruments or controller facsimiles (or singing) as input for the game.		Rocksmith
Paddle / Pong	Paddle / Pong	Paddle/Pong games are arcade action games in which the players control one or more paddles which can be used to bounce a ball in various directions. Goals can include scoring goals or destroying bricks inside the playing field.
Party game	Party game	Party games focus on play sessions with a group of players. Party games are focused more on social interaction. Party games usually have simple controls and allow for easy drop-in and out so that everyone can enjoy them.
Pinball	Pinball	Pinball games simulate existing or fictional coin-op Pinball machines.
Platform	Platform	Platform games can be both 2D and 3D games in which jumping or climbing onto platforms on various elevations is a major focus of the game. Early platform games mostly focused on climbing onto platforms using ladders, while later games generally focus more on jumping.		Trine
Puzzle elements	Puzzle elements	Puzzle Elements denotes any type of non-puzzle game that features puzzle solving elements.
Quick Time Events (QTEs)	Quick time events (QTEs)	Games with Quick Time Events ask the player to react to prompts on the screen to progress. A small time window is provided for a single, exact key or button to be pressed. Contrary to Timed Input games where such gameplay forms the entire game, Quick Time Events are small events in addition to very different gameplay which forms that majority of the gameplay. Examples include QTEs in God of War or Telltale's The Walking Dead, even when they only form 1% of the entire gameplay.
Rail shooter	Rail shooter	Rail Shooters are shooter games that place the player on rails. Usually the player can only control a targeting reticule or has very limited control over the vehicle, being or thing the player controls.		Rambo: The Video Game
Real-time strategy	Real-time strategy (RTS)	Real-time strategy (RTS) is a sub-genre of strategy video games in which the game does not progress incrementally in turns. Not all real-time games with strategy elements are usually considered RTS. A conventional RTS includes most or all of these features: multiple unit control base building resource gathering training units as opposed to sticking to pre-defined starting units (although the latter may appear in certain missions) two or more player/AI-controlled forces on the map with equal opportunity to build and attack construction and combat approximately equally in focus		Age of Empires
Roguelike	Roguelike	Roguelike games are games that mimic the gameplay of the 1980 Mainframe game Rogue. These games allow players to crawl through a randomized dungeon in which the player encounters randomized monsters and randomized loot. In most of these games if the player dies he cannot reload earlier save games (permadeath) and must start anew. Certain abilities are permanent and unlock through multiple sessions, while other are drawn randomly for each session.		FTL: Faster Than Light
RPG elements	RPG elements	Games of any main genre, except RPG, that incorporate 'light' elements taken from role-playing games, such as customization options for characters or vehicles, leveling and upgrade systems with different perks and effects, abilities and upgrade system that provide room for different gameplay styles and so on.
Sandbox / open world	Sandbox / open world	Sandbox / Open World games present the players with a game world in which they can freely explore and try to interfere with the status quo. Most Sandbox games feature no specific goals, while Open World games usually do feature certain goals. Usually the player is given a broad freedom of how to achieve these goals, although Open World games with linear mission structures also exist. The Sandbox/Open World genre can be combined with other genres such as Simulation or Action-Adventure.		Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto 5
Shooter	Shooter	Shooter games are a broad action genre in which the player shoots enemies or targets as a primary gameplay mechanic. This can be from any perspective.
Survival horror	Survival horror	Stealth games require the player to avoid contact with enemies in the game and instead try to pass them by silently and hidden or using disguises. Goals can range from reaching a certain position, theft, sabotage, etc.		Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Stealth	Stealth	Stealth games require the player to avoid contact with enemies in the game and instead try to pass them by silently and hidden or using disguises. Goals can range from reaching a certain position, theft, sabotage, etc.		Splinter Cell
Tactical RPG	Tactical RPG	Tactical RPGs are Role Playing games with a focus on tactical combat. In Japanese-style Tactical RPGs these are usually denoted with the term “Tactics”. These types of games usually feature more combat options than other RPGS, such as party combat with character positioning and more varied attack effects other than just damage.
Tactical shooter	Tactical shooter	Tactical Shooters are a type of Shooter game with a higher degree of realism than most shooters. Many tactical shooters are squad-based where the player either has control over multiple squad members directly or can issue commands to the AI.		Arma: Cold War Assault
Tile matching puzzle	Tile matching puzzle	Tile Matching Puzzle games are puzzle games in which the player must match tiles. Actual mechanics may vary from flipping over the right tiles as in the traditional Memory game or moving them next to one-another in Bejeweled.
Timed input	Timed input	In Timed Input games the entire gameplay consists of matching player input to prompts on the screen in a timely manner. This mainly includes games where reflexes are needed (e.g. Dragon's Lair). Games where there is ample time is provide to make a choice, without time restriction, do not apply. Games where timed input forms a minority of the gameplay have the genre Quick Time Events instead. Games that demand reflexes from the player are not necessarily Timed Input games as there need to be prompts on the screen or a set amount of limited choices that are repeated and there is only a small amount of freedom. Games where a constant rhythm needs to be maintained (e.g. Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution) use the genre Music / Rhythm Description instead. This genre does not include shooting gallery games where the player needs to aim a cross-hair and shoot.		Dragon's Lair
Time management	Time management	Time Management games are games in which the player has to complete a number of tasks, the player must use his insight and reflexes to perform the tasks in the best order and as quickly as possible. Time management games often simulate jobs in which the player must handle a lot of customers of different tasks.
Tower defense	Tower defense	Tower Defense games are a type of strategy game in which the player builds so-called towers to thwart an invading NPC army to reach a certain location on the map. Towers typically shoot at NPC units or otherwise hinder them from reaching their destination. Some of these games allow the player to build mazes out of towers for the NPCs to navigate, while others only allow towers to be build on predefined positions.
Trading / collectible card	Trading / collectible card	Trading Card / Collectible Card games simulate traditional trading card games in which players can buy or earn booster packs of randomly selected cards with which to build a deck for play. Each card has various statistics that are employed when the player puts the card into play. Games with this genre don’t have to be actual conversions of existing card games.		Hearthstone
Tricks / stunts	Tricks / stunts	The game requires the player to perform stunts to score points or advance in the game.
Turn-based strategy	Turn-based strategy (TBS)	Turn-based strategy (TBS) is a sub-genre of strategy video games in which the game progresses incrementally in turns.		XCOM 2
Vehicle simulator	Vehicle simulator	Vehicle Simulator games are games in which the player takes control of any type of vehicle in a peaceful manner. A game is required to have a certain level of realism to be considered a simulator. Vehicles may be fictional such as space ships. This genre is not to be used for games that allow the player to perform combat in said vehicles; use Vehicular Combat Simulator instead.
Vehicular combat simulator	Vehicular combat simulator	Vehicular Combat Simulator is Vehicle Simulator in which the player engages in combat. Vehicles may be fictional such as “Mechs” or space ships.
Visual novel	Visual novel	Also called NVL games, "digital novels", and "choose-your-own-adventure games": games in which the story is told through text overlaid on a background representing the scene being described. The player's input is confined to periodically making choices which might affect the direction and outcome of the story. Mostly regarded as a branch of Japanese adventure, but Western examples exist as well.
Wargame	Wargame	Wargames are military simulation games. Most wargames revolve around a single war, campaign or battle in which the player can play out various what-if scenarios by trying out different tactics and/or strategies.
Word construction	Word construction	Word Construction games are Puzzle or Educational games in which the player must form words. Usually the player is given a series of letters or letter combinations that have to be rearranged.		Bookworm Adventures

Sports subcategories

Sports subcategories

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
American football	Football (American)
Australian football	(none)
(none)	Athletics	(moved into Mixed sports)
Baseball	Baseball
Basketball	Basketball
Bowling	Bowling
Boxing	Boxing
Cricket	Cricket
(none)	Cycling
(none)	Dance
Darts / target shooting	Darts / target shooting	These games simulate target shooting with either darts, guns, bows or other projectiles for sport.
Dodgeball	Dodgeball
Extreme sports	(none)
Fishing	Fishing
Football (Soccer)	Football (European) / Soccer
Golf	Golf	Golf or miniature golf.
Handball	(none)
Hockey	Hockey	Ice hockey amd field hockey.
Horse	Horse / derby	Managing horses or horse competitions.
Hunting	(none)
Kick boxing	(none)
Lacrosse	(none)
Martial arts	(none)	Including mixed martial arts.
Mixed sports	Olympiad / mixed sports	Multiple sports, similar to the Olympics.
Paintball	Paintball
Parachuting	(none)
Table tennis	Ping pong / table tennis
Pool or snooker	Pool / snooker
Racquetball or squash	Racquetball / squash
Sailing or boating	Sailing / boating	These games simulate piloting or racing sailboats, wind sails, rowing boats, powerboats, etc.
Skating	(none)	Including roller skating and ice skating.
Skateboarding	Skateboarding
Snowboarding or skiing	Snowboarding / skiing
Surfing	Surfing
Tennis	Tennis
Volleyball	Volleyball
Water sports	Wakeboarding	Jet skis, wakerboarding, etc.
Wrestling	Wrestling

Vehicle subcategories

Sports subcategories

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Industrial	Agricultural / industrial	Games that prominently feature agricultural / industrial vehicles controlled directly in a simulation.
Automobile	Automobile	These games allow the player to take control of an automobile (both driving and racing it) or otherwise focus on automobiles even if they are not driven.
Bicycle	Bike / Bicycling	These games allow the player to take control of a non-motorized bike to explore or race, or allow the player to manage a bike racing team.	Overlap with cycling category?
Bus	Bus	These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on buses. This includes both racing, simulation driving or any managerial game focusing on buses.
Flight	Flight / aviation	These games allow the player to take control of an aircraft (both flight and combat) or otherwise focus on aircrafts or aviation. Helicopters have their own genre where Flight/Aviation is implied. This genre also covers hot air balloons, blimps, zeppelins, gliders, hang-gliders and similar ones.
Helicopter	Helicopter	These games allow the player to take control of a helicopter (both flight and battle) or otherwise focus on helicopters.
Hovercraft	Hovercraft	These games allow the player to take control of a hovercraft, a hybrid craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces. This also includes futuristic crafts that hover above the ground (e.g. WipEout or F-Zero). Hovercraft games do not have the genres Flight/Aviation or Naval/Watercraft.
Mecha / giant robot	Mecha / giant robot	These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on robots or machines controlled by people. These machines vary great in size and shape, but are distinguished from other vehicles by their humanoid or biomorphic appearance.
Motorcycle	Motorcycle	These games allow the player to take control of a motorcycle, dirtbike or similar vehicle or otherwise focus on motorcycles.
Naval / watercraft	Naval / watercraft	These games allow the player to take control of a boat, ship or other type of watercraft, or otherwise focus on watercraft or naval combat or navigation. Hovercrafts are considered a separate genre.
Off-roading	Off-roading	These games allow the player to participate in or otherwise focus on off-road racing/driving.
Self-propelled artillery	Self-propelled artillery	These games allow the player to take control of a self-propelled artillery or otherwise focus on self-propelled or mobile artillery.
Space flight	Space flight	These games allow the player to take control of spacecraft or otherwise focus on spacecrafts.
Street racing	Street racing	Games which revolve around the practice of street racing, i.e. racing of motor vehicles on a public road. This practice is mostly illegal in real life, and many games depict it as an underground, illicit affair (and may feature themes such as dodging regular traffic or avoiding police), but this is not necessary for inclusion in the group.
Tank	Tank	Gameplay featuring tanks whether they are fictional or based on reality.
Track racing	Track racing	These games allow the player to participate in or otherwise focus on racing/driving on racing tracks. This does not need to be a real race track, but it needs to be clear the environment has been fenced off or designed in such a way that a track is created, regardless of the surface or the setting. Racing games that take place in open environments where all obstacles or routes are natural, without human intervention to create a track (e.g. Outrun), do not receive this genre. Invisible barriers also do not count as a way to create a track. In order to receive this genre, the majority of the racing needs to take place on a track.
Train	Train	These games allow the player to take control of a train or otherwise focus on trains.
Transport	Transport	These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus transporting people or cargo using vehicles.
Truck	Truck	These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on trucks. This includes racing, but also transport.

Theme

Setting

PCGW	MobyGames	Definition to be modified	Notes	Examples
Antarctica	(none)
Africa	Africa
Asia	Asia
Oceania	Oceania
Europe	Europe
North America	North America
South America	(none)
Middle East	Middle East
China	China (Ancient / Imperial)
Classical	Classical antiquity	Ancient Greek and Roman, or use significant visual styles or themes from this period.
Cold War	Cold War
Contemporary	Contemporary
Cyberpunk	Cyberpunk / dark sci-fi
Egypt	Egypt (Ancient)
Fantasy	Fantasy
Historical	Historical events
Industrial Age	Industrial Age
Interwar	Interwar	Setting in the periods between 1918-1939, excluding games mainly set in World War I or World War II.
Japan	Japan (Ancient/Classical/Medieval)
Medieval	Medieval
Prehistoric	Prehistoric
Post-apocalyptic	Post-apocalyptic			Fallout
Pre-Columbian Americas	Pre-Columbian Americas
Sci-fi	Sci-fi / futuristic
Piracy	Sea pirates / Caribbean	Sea pirates or taking place in the Carribean.
Space	(none)			Star Citizen
Steampunk	Steampunk
Western	Western
World War I	World War I			Battlefield 1
World War II	World War II			Call of Duty