Types of Video Games Explained: MMORPG, MMO, RPG, PvP and More

Carl Fisher 4 min read

From mobile devices to consoles and PCs, games have dominated the tech space in the last decade. This is great, but it can also be confusing. Thanks to advances in computer language, processors and video cards, there are many types of games now. If you read reviews or watch them on YouTube, you get to hear terms like MMORPG, RPG, PvP, etc.

What does this all mean?

Today, we will talk about these major game classifications. In the end, you should be able to judge what game to buy according to your preferences.

RPG

RPG means role-playing games, and it is not something you will find in online casinos like GGBet online. In it, you take the mantle of a character, and you “grow” him. RPG is always about character development. Typically, you have a mission in the storyline, and you have to complete these missions to finish the game.

Here are some of the most popular RPGs:

  • Assassin’s Creed
  • Hitman
  • Skyrim
  • Diablo
  • Final Fantasy

In an RPG, you control the character. Over the years, RPG games have evolved. Today, you can modify your characters, give them boosts in health, mana, energy and even buy or acquire gears.

The earliest versions of RPGs did not allow you to grow your character. For example, you cannot grow your character in the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Many game developers still stick to this, but they make it a point that the player also has many options as far as gears are concerned.

MMORPG

This stands for Massively Multiplayer Online RPG. It is still an RPG, but you are now playing in an environment that is also accessible by millions of players worldwide.

Here are the most popular MMORPGs:

  • World of Warcraft
  • RuneScape
  • EVE Online
  • The Elder Scrolls Online

Like RPG, you have to choose a character and develop it. You have the option to buy gears, and your ultimate mission is to level up your character. There are also missions in these games, but the heart of the MMORPG is to join factions and interact with other players.

In MMORPG, your player has to progress from a newbie to something legendary. You can only advance a character’s level by gaining experience (XP). You gain XP by doing things in the game, such as killing monsters and other players.

As your level gets higher, new opportunities will open for you. You will be able to activate special powers, wear better gear, and so much more.

The beauty of MMRPG is that there is a game economy. Players can swap items with each other and even sell items for real cash.

PvP

PvP stands for Player VS Player. While this can also be an RPG, the core of this game type is to battle against players who are online.

Unlike RPG and MMORPG, the PvP is mainly focused on developing your character by fighting others. In RPG and MMORPG, you also develop your character, but you have a vast world to explore. In both MMO and RPG, you have the option to ignore missions and instead focus on character levelling.

In PvP, you have no other course of action but to compete. There are many variants of PvP. Some are one-on-one battles, while some are 3-on-3. A 3-on3 PvP does not mean that you will use three characters. It means that you have to team up with other players online.

Sandbox

A sandbox game can be an RPG. The main differentiator is that in a sandbox, you can change the environment.

Here are some of the best sandbox games:

  • The SIMS
  • Minecraft

Sandbox games are called so because of the literal sandboxes where children play. In a sandbox, the child plays with sand inside a box, and he can build castles and run some cars if he wants to.

Over time, sandboxes have evolved. Sandbox games that have no missions are called non-games or software toys. Today, a sandbox game is any game where the player has creative options to do stuff. For example, in Hitman, you have many ways to assassinate your target, and this qualifies the game as a sandbox, even if you cannot change the environment.

Confusing? It could be.

A game can be a sandbox and RPG at the same time. A good example of this is the new Hitman Trilogy series. In it, you take the role of Agent 47. You have assassination contracts to fulfil, but you cannot change the environment. However, you have many options to complete the mission, and that is what makes it a sandbox.

Fighting

Sure, a lot of games require fighting, but not all of them are “fighting games.” A fighting game is one where you choose a character from many options and then play against another human player or a computer AI.

Here are some examples:

  • Mortal Kombat
  • Injustice
  • Boxing and MMA

In a fighting game, you typically do not have to level up your character. Instead, the characters have pre-set moves and powers. What you need to do as a player is to master these moves and learn how to counter-attack the hits of your opponent.

Do not get confused with game genres and types. Genres refer to puzzles, adventure, simulation, strategy, and many more. Pretty much, the genre is about what kind of entertainment you will get from it. The game type, however, is how the game is played.

Author

  • Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!