05. FAQ
Taxonomy
Q. Supersubgenres?? How deep does it really need to go?
A. Well it could probably go infinitely, but I guess it's up to each person! The benefit of a hierarchical system, I think, is that if someone just likes any kind of running and jumping around, then all platformers will be right for them. No further categories needed. Meanwhile, someone that only likes a certain style of 3D Super Mario games will probably appreciate the distinction between linear platformers like Galaxy and sandbox platformers like Odyssey.
- Regardless, some categories are super niche, so these can be helpful for introduction and discovery. In aaalllllll the hundreds of games in the Shooting Genre, what are the odds someone falls in love with Wild Guns and doesn't realize other Gallery Fixed Shooters are out there?! That would be such a travesty.
Q. Why not just call genres "Games like {XYZ}"?
A. There are definitely some convenience aspects to doing this that are hard to ignore. More people would understand "a game like Smash Bros." versus describing a Platforming Fighter, or "a game like Star Fox" instead of saying Rail Shooter. However, I think this costs us in the long run.
- Using single games to encapsulate a genre or subgenre implicitly sets them as the reference point rather than just an example. Because Smash Bros. is notable for its character roster of different franchises crossing over, is that what a "game like it" must do? Further, a dominant reference point tends to become the exclusive "legitimate" output of its genre or subgenre, which sets a negative tone for other games then viewed as copying the reference rather than contributing to the shared advancement of the genre.