The gaming world is one of diversity, excitement, and change. As technology advances and social interests change, so does the gaming community. Within the environment that makes up gaming, there are many genres and even more sub-genres. Many of them gain in popularity while others wane. But what about those that were once all the rage and are now all but extinct? What were these genres all about? Where have these metaphorical dinosaurs of the gaming world gone, and will they likely return? Here, we will discuss just a few well-known and once-popular genres that are scarce, if not obsolete.
Rhythm Gaming
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the game industry saw the entrance of rhythm games in a serious presence as never before. Games like Dance Dance Revolution, which hit Japan in 1998 and America a year later, blew up the industry and transformed rhythm games into a legit genre, at least within the arcade environment. Hands down, turning this genre into a mainstream situation goes to Guitar Hero. This game quickly became a success once it was released in 2005. It is this gamer’s opinion that the genre tapered off due to the high cost of production.
Text Adventure Gaming
A very primitive form of gaming, text-based games were controlled by the keyboard. They had no graphics and generally functioned like a choose-your-own-path storybook. The Zork franchise, from the 1970s, is most recognized for the popularity gained in this genre. This form of entertainment allows the player to feel as if they are in control of or a part of the narrative being told. Video games have replaced these games with non-textual graphics, but a population of indie developers still create content. There are gamers in the community who are loyal to the genre, even if only for nostalgia’s sake.
Point-And-Click Adventure Gaming
A close relative to the text-based adventure games of the past, point-and-click adventure games allowed the gamer to interact with characters and objects in the game through, you guessed it, clicking! Users would investigate objects, talk to characters, and progress through the storyline. King’s Quest is a notorious point-and-click gaming experience. This genre’s growth in popularity is mainly attributed to the video game developer Sierra Entertainment. The desire for more visual and interactive gaming drove this genre into extinction.
Educational Gaming
Educational gaming made its main debut with the entrance of computers into private homes. Parents encouraged these types of games, and children were easily amused. The games in this genre are focused on being fun and subtly creating a learning pattern for young users. The most well-known example of this type of gaming is Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. Nintendo also tossed its hat into the metaphorical ring with a series known as Brain Age.
Fitness Gaming
The idea of video games incorporating an element of exercise has been around for a long time. In 1988, Nintendo attempted to take on the task by releasing a Power Pad. This first attempt could have been more successful. In 2006, Nintendo tried again with the release of the Nintendo Wii. The new franchise was named Wii Fit. The game company offered the product with a balance board. It centered around mini-games that functioned as exercises. The platform also provided yoga exercise manuals for users interested in that type of workout routine. This new option was popular briefly but eventually went the way of the dinosaurs.
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MMORPG Gaming
Okay, this one isn’t exactly extinct, but it still merits discussion. For those readers who are unaware, MMORPG stands for a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Yes, there is a lot to say about that. This type of gaming was very popular in the mid-2000s. One of the most popular MMORPGs on the market then and now is World of Warcraft. This franchise has survived in the current gaming world due to the implementation of expansions. The trend in the current environment is such that when a new game is released, there is a wave of subscribers, and then numbers drop dramatically. Aside from a few games, this genre has a tiny footprint in the market.
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