Syracuse University SURFACE School of Information Studies - Faculty Scholarship School of Information Studies (iSchool) 2015 Why Video Game Genres Fail: A Classificatory Analysis Rachel I. Clarke Syracuse University Jin Ha Lee University of Washington Neils Clark Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/istpub Part of the Game Design Commons, and the Library and Information Science Commons Recommended Citation Clarke, Rachel I.; Lee, Jin Ha; and Clark, Neils, "Why Video Game Genres Fail: A Classificatory Analysis" (2015). School of Information Studies - Faculty Scholarship. 167. https://surface.syr.edu/istpub/167 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in School of Information Studies - Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Running head: WHY VIDEO GAME GENRES FAIL 1 Why Video Game Genres Fail: A Classificatory Analysis Rachel Ivy Clarke1 University of Washington Information School Jin Ha Lee University of Washington Information School Neils Clark Independent Scholar 1 Corresponding author: Rachel Ivy Clarke, University of Washington Information School, Box 352840, Seattle, Washington 98195-2840,
[email protected] Running head: WHY VIDEO GAME GENRES FAIL 2 Abstract This paper explores the current affordances and limitations of video game genre from a library and information science perspective with an emphasis on classification theory. We identify and discuss various purposes of genre relating to video games, including identity, collocation and retrieval, commercial marketing, and educational instruction. Through the use of examples, we discuss the ways in which these purposes are supported by genre classification and conceptualization, and the implications for video games.