Outline of video games

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to video games: Video game – an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of display device. Video game genres (list) – categories of video games based on their gameplay interaction and set of gameplay challenges, rather than visual or narrative differences. Action game – a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. Beat 'em up – a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. Fighting game – a genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. Platform game – requires the player to control a character to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles (jumping puzzles). Shooter game – wide subgenre that focuses on using some sort of weapon often testing the player's speed and reaction time. First-person shooter – a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Light gun shooter – a genre in which the primary design element is aiming and shooting with a gun-shaped controller. Shoot 'em up – a genre where the player controls a lone character, often in a spacecraft or aircraft, shooting large numbers of enemies while dodging their attacks. Third-person shooter – a genre of 3D action games in which the player character is visible on-screen, and the gameplay consists primarily of shooting. Hero shooter – multiplayer first- or third-person shooters that strongly encourage cooperative play between players on a single team through the use of pre-designed "hero" characters that each possess unique attributes, skills, weapons, and other activated abilities.