Video game prime

Video game prime is a way to categorize video games based on how they affect the player rather than their content. Many gaming databases categorize games based on their visual perspective or theme, but these have practically nothing to do with how the game is played. Even categorizations based on game mechanics, while useful, don't really get to the heart of a game since they ignore aspects of the game that are not mechanical. The video game prime systems gauges games based on three basic characteristics: action, adventure, and strategy. Rather than assign a number to each, they are sorted by their order of importance. While this is a fairly subjective system, I still find that it yields far better results at predicting which games a player will like based on their affinity to a particular combination of primes.

Primes

• Action - The action prime is measured based on how quickly the player is expected to react to stimuli, and how frequently those reactions take place. Lots a rapid responses indicate a high action prime.
• Adventure - Adventure is the hardest prime to gauge because it's based on an emotional response to the game. Games which tell a good story or install a feeling of wonder have a high adventure prime.
• Strategy - This prime is measured by how much reflective thought a game requires. Solving puzzles, devising optimal strategies, and answering trivia all increase the strategy prime.

Most games incorporate all three primes to varying degrees, however some may lack one or two primes. For example, a very plain video game version of chess is pure strategy, but lacks both the action and adventure primes. However, a video game version of speed chess adds the action prime by putting a time limit on each player's moves, forcing them to make rapid moves. The game Battle Chess incorporates the adventure prime by giving the game pieces interesting characterizations and exciting animations.

Combinations

With three primes, there are six possible order combinations. Each is described below with example genres and games.

Action, Adventure, Strategy

These games tend to be very interactive and fast-paced requiring little forethought, but still have elements of exploration and/or a story. This is the most popular form of video game and the most easily accessible to a broad range of players. Most traditional arcade games use this order including shooters, platformers, beat 'em ups, and racing games that don't have much vehicle customization.

Action, Strategy, Adventure

These place a lot of emphasis on reflexive game play, but a good game plan is highly beneficial. Sports, fighting games, and team-based action games, usually have this prime order because they benefit from the players following a strategy, but mostly require each player to have great reaction time.

Adventure, Action, Strategy

Games with this prime order use a lot of action elements, but as tools for exploration and storytelling. Story-driven Metroidvanias and combat-heavy adventure games fit into this category. With strategy last, there may be the occasional puzzle or need for contemplation, but it's not as important as the story or action.

Adventure, Strategy, Action

These games are story or exploration driven games that require a lot of thought and trial and error. This includes games that are typically referred to as graphic adventures and story-driven role-playing games. There may be the occasional action sequence, but they're outliers in the game.