Over the course of more than half a century, video games have developed through a remarkable variety of genres, reflecting technological progress, creative ambition, and changing player preferences. Each genre has shaped the global gaming landscape, marking milestones and influencing pop culture. This article explores the genres that have left a lasting impact on the history of gaming, with a particular focus on the rise of online experiences.
The roots of entertainment: arcade, puzzle, and platformers
In the 1970s and ’80s, titles like Pong, Space Invaders, and Pac‑Man defined the early arcade industry, establishing the foundations of video games: simple mechanics, instant challenges, and endless replayability.
At the same time, puzzle games like Tetris emphasized logic and strategy, becoming staples both on consoles and online platforms. But it was the rise of platformers — with iconic games like Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog — that introduced narrative elements and visual exploration, blending precision, jumping, and colorful worlds.
The golden era: action, shooters, and RPGs
Action games represent perhaps the clearest expression of gaming’s technological evolution. From the beat ’em ups of Double Dragon to the sophisticated combat systems of God of War, the genre has constantly reinvented itself.
Shooters, especially first-person shooters (FPS) like Doom and Counter‑Strike, added new layers of immersion. With first-person views, 3D environments, online deathmatches, and competitive streaming, they reshaped interaction and competition.
Meanwhile, role‑playing games (RPGs) expanded narrative depth and player customization. From early classics like Ultima to immersive adventures like Zelda, and later on massive online games such as World of Warcraft, RPGs pushed engagement and personal storytelling to new heights.
The ‘90s and 2000s: fighting games, survival horror, and strategy
The 1990s also belonged to arcade fighters: titles like Street Fighter II, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat introduced combos, character selection, and intense face-to-face competition. These games never truly faded — modern iterations like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 continue to attract both casual players and esports fans.
This same period also birthed the survival horror genre, where games like Resident Evil pioneered a sense of dread and strategic resource management. Meanwhile, the rise of strategy games — both real-time (RTS) and turn-based (TBS) — brought a cerebral dimension to gaming, with titles like Dune II, StarCraft, and Civilization challenging players to master logistics, timing, and foresight.
Multiplayer revolution: esports and online innovation
The 2000s introduced a major shift: connectivity. Multiplayer genres like MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) — exemplified by League of Legends and Dota 2 — took center stage in the rise of esports, attracting millions of viewers and professional teams around the world.
Online shooters also evolved: dedicated servers, clan tournaments, and live streaming made gaming increasingly social and competitive.
A more recent — and now dominant — trend is the battle royale genre. Games like PUBG and Fortnite feature massive arenas where dozens of players compete until one remains. Free-to-play models and in-game purchases made this genre massively popular across all age groups.
Diversification and the rise of online games
Today, gaming offers a galaxy of genres and subgenres: from life simulators like The Sims, to visual novels, to experimental indie hits like Among Us, which combine simple rules with complex social mechanics.
Online platforms and browser games have also followed distinct trends. Some games emphasize resource management and strategy, others lean into casual, puzzle-based gameplay. In this context, the world of digital gaming includes entertainment environments where operators like Casino777 offer interactive experiences. However, these should not be seen as core to the evolution of video game genres, but rather as a parallel niche that exists without driving the mainstream development of gaming itself.