Degrees as Gaming Genres: A Verdict

ARTS & CULTURE | GAMES

Written by Trinity Thompson (she/her) | Contributing Writer

Technology is an integral part of the world we live in, and online games are the most accessible they’ve ever been.

With player numbers at an all-time high, there is an immense diversity of people in the space, and copious games to suit their needs. The question is, what genre suits you? It’s time to reach a verdict.

Perhaps you’re the self-described ‘noob’ who’s just there for the ride, relying on friends for in-game progress? Or the competitive type, with a strong sense of pride that relies on your rank? It could be that you call yourself a ‘casual’ player, but hide your total playtime on Steam. (It may be hidden, but we know those suspiciously high numbers are there). 

Regardless of the type of player you think you are, buckle up kiddos, ‘cause we’re about to uncover what gaming habits you truly have through your degree. 

How did this verdict come about, you ask? From my completely accurate and scientific opinion as a passionate gamer, of course. I’ll even throw in some indie recommendations (You can thank me later).

Before you proceed, heed my warning: If you feel attacked… 

Then it’s true.

(Games with a * refer to an 18+ content warning)

Bachelor of Arts | Action-Adventure

In line with your creative interests, the idea of disappearing into an expansive world or moving story is incredibly appealing. With key titles including God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2*, or The Last of Us*, who would blame you for loving the action-adventure genre? Perhaps you even dragged a friend along for It Takes Two (or multiple friends… sneaky, sneaky). You let yourself be whisked away, into an alternate reality filled with places to explore, facing dynamic encounters with characters both friend and foe. As you become obsessed with the landscape and lore, it’s as if you’re no longer a university student with exams to sit and assignments to hand in. You don’t even finish all the games you’ve bought before favouring new ones… 

Whilst I earnestly suggest you keep your wallet hidden for the time being, Outer Wilds is my indie recommendation for you, with The Plucky Squire as an upcoming alternative you may find interesting.

Bachelor of Design | Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

Always thinking outside of the box and enjoying stylish and quirky characters (such as yourself), you fit right into the RPG category. Taking on a new persona and surrounded by a humming society in MMO titles Final Fantasy or World of Warcraft, you become an integral part of a fresh, extensive social space. Fighting enemies, crawling through dungeons, or divulging into deep conversations in server lobbies - a whole new world is your oyster. 

When you feel more reserved or subdued, there’s always a new class or species in games like Baldur’s Gate 3* for you to try, or a sudden urge to fulfil the Pokémon slogan. If you haven’t already, you may want to try Undertale, or the newer indie, Sea of Stars.

Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences | First Person Shooters (FPS)

Ah yes, the gremlins of the gaming world. Just kidding! (Or am I?). You and I play a tad too many games. Any genre goes, but what do we keep coming back to at the end of the day? First-Person Shooters. Top titles such as Valorant, Counter Strike 2 and Rainbow Six Siege just hit differently. A bit of action and some much-needed social interaction goes a long way, and the hours just seem to disappear. Whether in a party or alone, rain or shine, the gaming grind continues. Perhaps a few of those decisions to queue up instead of studying for your finals weren’t the smartest - but hey! It’s a new semester, you’ve got this. For some of you, however, the amount of hours in this genre rivals the money you’ve spent in it… now that’s on you, dear friend. Although your pockets may already be crying, indie title Deep Rock Galactic may provide you with a great change of pace.

Bachelor of Sport and Recreation | Fighters

What better way to let off some steam than by beating your opponent into the ground? Fighter titles such as Mortal Kombat* and Tekken are where your darker tendencies emerge. Whether it’s the satisfaction of hitting those combos or the gruesome brutal finishers to secure the round - displaying immense power over your opponent fills you with an unbridled mix of rage and joy. Just make sure those punches don’t break the fourth wall!

I’d recommend having a look at indie title SIFU with its compelling game loop. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, action-platformer Katana Zero may provide you with a different, but similar ‘kick’ of adrenaline (Aren’t I funny?).

Bachelor of Communications | Party/Co-Op Games

Ah, communications. You’d think with a degree in the subject you’d be much better at it, but alas, the screaming and shouting in Overcooked 2, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, or Escape The Backrooms are what make them so special, right? When you aren’t yelling for someone to “DO THEIR JOB!!!”, then you’re arguing that you did, in fact, do yours. These debates continue into social deduction games such as Among Us, the COVID classic. Chaotic confusion seems to take precedence over communication in these games. 

You should try new indie release Chained Together, and when you inevitably fail (or rage-quit), perhaps take a look at NZ indie Abiotic Factor for some reprieve.

Bachelor of Health Sciences | Survival-Horror

Whether you’ve always enjoyed the thrill of the chase, lying awake at night in fear, or happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - roped into it by your friend’s incessant nagging - the Survival-Horror genre remains your haunted abode. A daily dose of terrors from Phasmophobia or the eerie scenery of The Forest set your skin crawling, but it’s all worth it to scare the living daylights out of a friend, right? Perhaps you are more of an adrenaline junkie, hoping to juke the killer in Dead by Daylight, leaving your teammates upon a hook, or perhaps you find the frequent jumpscares of the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise your spooky cup of tea. 

If you’re looking for a good time with friends, Lethal Company or Content Warning are indie titles to look into. If you want a more solo experience, I’ve heard tabletop-horror Buckshot Roulette* may be worth a try.

Bachelor of Law | Platformers

Oh boy. With the amount of stress you’ll endure in your studies and career, one would think you’d avoid the immense pressure and subsequent despair that platformers Celeste or Jump King produce. Yet here you are. No success without suffering, right? One must persist, or whatever that cheesy quote is. That ‘smoking hot babe’ isn’t going to save herself, so it’s imperative you reach the summit! The frustration of failure multiplies with the addition of a friend in Bread and Fred, and the game becomes a courtroom when you can’t figure out who’s to blame. 

When you need a break from the ‘teamwork’, or the dark caverns of Hollow Knight, look out for picturesque Neva. If you’re chomping at the bit for a new challenge, New Zealand indie Rose and Locket may be to your liking, or the new spin on the genre in upcoming Screenbound.

Bachelor of Education | Cozy Dating Simulators

Whilst it may be possible to remove unwanted villagers from the cheerful simulator Animal Crossing, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for your future classroom (I know, it can be tough to swallow). Better get used to the antics of your quirky town neighbours and brush up on your friendship skills in Stardew Valley, because the quiet, peaceful farming life stops with the click of a power switch.

Stepping into a little world and taking on a different role as you snuggle into your blanket is a lovely idea, so enjoy it while it lasts. Whenever you need a break from the school cycle, check out gentle little indie A Short Hike (you can fit it into your lunch break), or hang tight for upcoming titles Witchbrook and Among The Wild.

Bachelor of Business | Roguelike

If you aren’t trying to collect clients or investors like Pokémon, you’re collecting followers in Cult of the Lamb. The roguelike genre is where it’s at, with titles such as Hades or Dead Cells providing hours of restarting replaying and failing progressing through to that evasive final ending. With a range of paths to take and weapons to equip, the endless experiences created by the random-generation of these dungeon crawlers helps to break the monotonous cycle of the corporate world. 

You may already have your eyes on upcoming indies Hades II or Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, but if you’re up for something new, I’ve heard card-roguelike Inscryption* may quench your craving.

Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments | Sandbox

If you’re not building mini renditions of the newest monstrosity on the block, you’re making them digitally. I hate to break it to you, but playing The Sims 4 isn’t going to help you pass your class or secure your first big project (Although it will help your Sims live in style). The endless possibilities of Terraria and Minecraft keep you entertained for hours. With so many things to make, break or build, I can’t blame you.

There’s always something new to do, such as trying out indie title Core Keeper. If I were you, I’d also keep an eye out for the incredibly exciting and seemingly endless indie Light No Fire.

“Wait. You can’t stop there, you’ve missed me - my degree isn’t mentioned here!” Hush, my fearsome keyboard warrior, for I am no fool. If you should not fall into the categories listed above, then you, my friend, are likely a League of Legends player. 

Or you play Papa’s Freezeria (what an absolute classic).

One of the two.

Believe it or not, we have merely scratched the surface of the expansive world of game genres. Whilst a myriad are left untouched, I leave that upon you, dear soldier. With your verdict confirmed, go forth and discover!