We’re nearing the end of this generation of consoles, and it was a mature generation with different kinds of games reaching their pace. Some have reached absurd heights of popularity and quality though, which is why they made our list of the five video game genres that have taken off in this generation.
Easily one of the newest genres to take off this list – and one of the most recently created genres in general – Auto Chess has seen a surge in popularity thanks to some exceptionally popular new offerings.
After the release of a mod for Dota 2 in 2019, the genre exploded in popularity thanks to its simplistic premise and ease of access. Most people could jump in and throw their own eclectic assortment of units at their opponent, and win or lose depending on stupid luck or careful strategy with what was provided to them by RNG.
Big publishers like Valve and Riot quickly came up with their own take on automatic chess, and it’s a popular genre today thanks to the range of options for players and the relatively low barrier to entry for everyone. .
Anyone can still guess whether this will turn out to be a fad or not, especially since the genre has even recently emerged. However, few will be able to forget how quickly and aggressively this genre took root in the collective consciousness of players.
Raider-shooter
Shoot the enemies, grab the equipment they drop, and start over. This is a simple play cycle, but one that has elevated the looter shooter genre to the super star of this generation.
While the Borderlands series laid the groundwork for the last-gen genre, the success of the Destiny series gave the genre a boost that took it to a level of popularity it had never seen before.
In turn, he saw the usual glut of publishers and developers eager to jump into the craze. Ubisoft released the post-apocalyptic The Division; Digital Extremes provided the highly customizable Warframe; and, for better or worse, Bioware has taken on the ambitious but ill-fated anthem.
Either way, the result was a wide array of options for those who enjoyed the genre, as well as leaps and bounds to its design elements. The simple play loop has been improved, and games related to the genre now cover a wide range of different stories, concepts, and art styles.
Similar souls
The Souls-Like genre may have kicked off the last generation, but it really hit its stride thanks to the continuation of the Souls series and its imitators in this most recent generation.
Along with the release of Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro by FromSoftware, the genre has been fleshed out with the release of titles made by other AAA and independent developers. Games like Nioh, The Surge, and Salt and Sanctuary have all offered new versions of the formula and outlets for fans of the genre to further test their skills and delve into dark, gloomy worlds.
Along with these new games, improvements have also been made to the genre formula. The design and structuring of the world, as well as the pace and level of difficulty of the games, have increased by leaps and bounds. This led to some extremely challenging experiences while providing a flow and pace to the gameplay that couldn’t be found anywhere else.
No one can guess if the genre’s popularity will persist through the next generation and beyond. In the meantime, there’s no sign of slowing down anytime soon, and it still retains its title as one of the biggest genres of video games to come out in recent years.
TCG online
Given the continued popularity of collectible card games, the rise of this generation’s online TCGs was likely less of a surprise to many and longer to come.
Beginning with the release of Hearthstone in 2014, the industry has seen a plethora of different games come out over the following years with their own rules and followings.
Some, like Magic: The Gathering Arena, have seen tried and true concepts brought into the online realm after years of anticipation. Others, like Gwent, have seemingly come out of nowhere or existing games to take the world by storm on their own.
Regardless of their origin, these many different games have elevated online TCGs to the top of the genre pack, providing gamers with a steady new outlet for their digital entertainment with others; and, much like its real-world counterpart, the genre appears to be an enduring core set to continue into the next generation and beyond.
Royal battle
The poster of the emerging genre, this genre must of course be the battle royale.
As of the release of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the genre quickly snowballed into a juggernaut of the video game landscape. Almost everyone, from long-time gamers to those who casually choose a game in their spare time, are familiar with the genre and more than likely have played a round or two themselves.
Due to their popularity, each major publisher has sought to throw their own hat into the ring, resulting in a lineup of titles that include Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends and – currently at the top of the dog list. – Fortnite.
He shows no signs of slowing down either. One of Fortnite’s most recent events has attracted over 12 million players, while Warzone’s concurrent player count has reaches up to 50 million players per month. Love it or hate it, the genre is here to stay and its impact on the video game landscape may be just beginning.
