VIDEO GAME PROTOTYPE THESAURUS

CHARLES MYERS

NOVEMBER 27, 2010

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

Table of ContentsSection 1.0..........Introduction

1.1..........Scope of the Work 1.2..........Using this Work 1.3..........Sources

Section 2.0..........Thesaurus Displays 2.1..........Hierarchical Display 2.2..........Alphabetical Display

Section 3.0..........Appendices 3.1..........Example Surrogates

Section 1.0 - Introduction1.1 - Scope of the WorkThis thesaurus is restricted to terminology relevant to the classification of video games as released for home video game consoles that made use of separate and distinct physical distribution mediums that contained the video game itself (e.g. cartridges, CD-ROMs). Status of publication is not a factor, as anything from a full and published game to a barely functioning proof-of-concept are supported. Below are the types of video games not supported. While this thesaurus could be modified to accommodate them, it would be beyond the scope of this work at this time to provide for such ends.

Unsupported Items1. Pre-programmed devices that only allow play of one or few games

ex. Pong consoles, arcade machines, Tiger electronic hand-held devices2. Video games released only in digital format obtained solely via online services

ex. Sega channel, X-Box Live, Nintendo Store

A note of clarification for item 2: only those video games that were released solely in digital format, and were never available on any physical medium, are not to be used with this thesaurus. Certain video games are released first in digital format and then on a physical medium. Such items can be used with this thesaurus, because there is a physical copy produced on a physical distribution medium.

This thesaurus presently has 91 terms. Of this, 61 terms are preferred and 30 are non-preferred.

1.2 - Using this WorkThere are several main facets that the terms are grouped into: Genre, Console, Medium, Motivation, Developer/Publisher Location, and Type. The “genre” facet refers to the most striking and noticeable features and mechanics of the prospective video game. “Console” describes for what console the video game was released. “Medium” describes the physical medium of distribution used. “Motivation” refers to the primary motivation for the player-controlled character. “Developer/Publisher Location” refers to two separate facets that use the same terms: the country of origin for the developer and the country of origin of the publisher. “Type” refers to whether the game is a single game or a compilation of others. The preferred sources of information are, in order of preference, the manual and any included materials (i.e. “feelies”); box and packaging material; and finally any material published by the developer or publisher. Any third party items (e.g. strategy guides, novels, comic books) not specifically published by either the developer or publisher should be not consulted, regardless of whether or not they were officially approved.

In general, the most striking and visible features are to be considered when assigning terms. The terms to be selected refers to the actual copy of the video game being indexed. For instance, “Final Fantasy 3” (developed in Japan as “Final Fantasy 6” but published in the US as “Final Fantasy 3”) might be indexed with “Japan” listed as the developer location but “United States of America” listed as the publisher location. For a company that publishes and distributes its own games via different national branches (such as Nintendo and Sega), select the term corresponding to the location of the responsible branch for either facet. If a certain piece of information needed for a facet is not available, then simply enter “N/A” or whatever the appropriate terminology the indexer is to use.

Construction of entries for other facets not covered here (such as title or name of the developer) should be performed with the guidance of a standard such as the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules.

1.3 - SourcesFew sources were consulted for this work. Since there aren’t many books that discuss, in detail, video games from a cataloging and/or classification perspective, the designer of this thesaurus had to piece together the hierarchy in section 2.1 and scope notes and synonyms in section 2.2 from a combination of personal knowledge and researching websites such as Wikipedia and various texts produced by LIS professionals. Below is a short bibliography of items consulted, to any extent, in the construction of this work.

8-BitLibrary.com, Cataloging Video Games at your Library, http://blog.8bitlibrary.com/2010/08/31/cataloging-video-games-at-your-library-a-brief-introduction/

Apperley, Thomas H. (2006), Genre and Video Game Studies: Toward a Critical Approach to Video Game Genres, Simulation & Gaming, Vol. 37, No. 1, p. 6-23, DOI: 10.1177/1046878105282278

University of Oregon Libraries, Video Games: Cataloging Guidelines, https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/5762/Cataloging%20Guidelines%20for%20Video%20Games.pdf

Wikipedia.org, Video Game Genres, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_genres

Section 2.0 - Thesaurus Displays2.1 - Hierarchical DisplayGenreAction

ShooterFirst-person shooterShoot-em-up

Fixed shooter Bullet hell Tube shooterTactical shooterThird-person shooterPlatformer

AdventureInteractive fiction

Dating simulatorEducationExerciseFightingFlying simulationMetroidvaniaPuzzleRole-playing Game

American Role-playing GameAsian Role-playing GameTactical Role-playing GameAction Role-playing Game

SportTeam management

StrategySurvival horror

Console<Nintendo consoles by console name>Nintendo Entertainment SystemSuper Nintendo Entertainment System<Atari consoles by console name>Atari 2600Atari 5200Atari 7800<Microsoft consoles by console name>Microsoft X-boxMicrosoft X-box 360<Other consoles by console name>Colecovision

MediumCD-ROMsDVD-ROMsMiniDVDROM cartridge

Motivation<Locate someone or someplace or something by type>Locate personsLocate placesLocate things<Escape from someone or someplace by type>Escape personsEscape places<Other motivations by type>Defeat personsHigh score

Developer and Publisher LocationNorth America

United States of AmericaCanada

AsiaJapan

Europe

EnglandAfrica

TypeSingle game

PrequelSequel

Multi-gameCompilation

Unpublished

2.1 - Alphabetical Display360USE Microsoft X-Box 360

ActionSN Genre emphasizing physical challenges, including hand-eye coordination and reaction-time.NT Platformer

Role-playing shooterShooterTactical shooterThird-person shooter

Action role-playing gameSN Similar to Role-playing game but emphasizes physical challenges, including hand-eye coordination and reaction time.UF Action RPGBT Role-playing game

Action RPGUSE Action role-playing game

AdventureSN Emphasizes inventory management, an interactive narrative, and puzzle solving.NT Interactive fiction

Point-and-click

AfricaSN Location of developer or publisher

AmericaUSE United States of America

American role-playing gameSN Similar to Role-playing game but emphasizes non-linear game play and narrative, predominately developed in North America.UF American RPG

BT Role-playing game

American RPGUSE American role-playing game

AnthologyUSE Compilation

AsiaSN Location of developer or publisherNT Japan

Asian role-playing gameSN Similar to Role-playing game but emphasizes linear game play and narrative, predominately developed in Asia.BT Role-playing game

Atari 2600SN Video game console in production by Atari from 1977 to 1992.UF Atari

Atari 5200USE Atari 5200 Super System

Atari 7800USE Atari 7800 Pro System

AtariUSE Atari 2600

Atari 5200 Super SystemSN Video game console in production by Atari from 1982 to 1984.UF Atari 5200

Atari 7800 Pro SystemSN Video game console in production by Atari from 1984 to 1992.UF Atari 7800

Bullet hellSN Similar to Shoot-em-up but emphasizes a relatively small player-controlled character versus large groups of enemy characters and projectiles.BT Shoot-em-up

CRPGUSE Role-playing game

CanadaSN Location of developer or publisher.

CartsUSE ROM cartridges

CartridgesUSE ROM cartridges

CastleroidUSE Metroidvania

CDsUSE CD-ROMs

CD-ROMsSN Physical distribution medium holding a CD-ROM image of the video game.UF CDsRT DVD-ROMs

MiniDVD

CompilationSN Video game is a compilation of other video games from the same series.UF AnthologyBT Multi-game

Console RPGUSE Role-playing game

Console role-playing gameUSE Role-playing game

Dating simulatorSN Emphasizes simulated experience of impressing and relationships with various characters

DefeatUSE Defeat persons

Defeat personsSN Primary motivation of player-controlled character is to defeat a person or persons.UF Defeat

DVDsUSE DVD-ROMs

DVD-ROMsSN Physical distribution medium holding a DVD-ROM image of the video game.UF DVDsRT DVD-ROMs

MiniDVDs

EducationSN Emphasizes learning of a particular subject as by-product of game play mechanics.UF Learning game

EnglandSN Location of developer or publisherBT Europe

Escape personsSN Motivation of player-controlled character is to escape from someone or some persons.

Escape placesSN Motivation of player-controlled character is to escape from some place or places.

EuropeSN Location of developer or publisherNT England

ExerciseSN Emphasizes physical work-out and fitness as a by-product of game play mechanics.

FightingSN Emphasizes one-on-one or group combat between player-controlled character(s) and one or more opponents.

FPSUSE First-person shooter

First-person shooterSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character fighting various enemies with one or more weapons from a first-person perspective.UF FPSBT ShooterNT Tactical shooter

Fixed shooterSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character in a fixed location fighting various enemies with a projectile firing weapon or weapons.

Flying simulationSN Emphasizes relatively realistic control of a flying vehicle in a relatively realistic environment.

Franchise managementUSE Team management

High score

SN Motivation of player-controlled character is to achieve as high a score as possible.

Interactive fictionSN Emphasizes inventory management, an interactive narrative, and puzzle solving in a full-text or partially full-text environment.BT Adventure

JapanSN Location of developer or publisher.

Learning gameUSE Education

LocateSEE Locate persons

Locate placesLocate things

Locate personsSN Primary motivation of player-controlled character includes having to locate persons or places.SEE FROM Locate

Locate placesSN Primary motivation of player-controlled character is to locate a place or series of places.SEE FROM Locate

Locate thingsSN Primary motivation of player-controlled character is to locate a thing or things that are not persons or places.SEE FROM Locate

MetroidvaniaSN Emphasizes non-linear game play, inventory management, and discovery of hidden or otherwise secret places or things.UF Castleroid

Microsoft X-BoxUSE X-Box

Microsoft X-Box 360USE X-Box 360

MiniDVDsSN Physical distribution medium holding a MiniDVD image of the video gameRT DVD-ROMs

MiniDVDs

Multi-gameSN Video game is a compilation of different video games not within a single series.NT Compilation

NESUSE Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo Entertainment SystemSN Video game console in production by Nintendo from 1983 to 1995.UF Nintendo

NES

NintendoUSE Nintendo Entertainment System

PlatformerSN Emphasizes navigating a series of platforms and other physical challenges from any possible perspective.BT Action

PrequelSN Video game is a prequel to an earlier video game.BT Single gameRT Sequel.

RPGUSE Role-playing game

Role-playing gameSN Emphasizes management and growth of statistical information (e.g. physical and combat attributes, special abilities) describing player-controlled character or characters.UF RPG

CRPGConsole RPG

NT American Role-playing GameAsian Role-playing GameTactical Role-playing GameAction Role-playing Game

ROM cartridgesSN Physical medium holding a ROM image of the video game.UF Cart

Cartridge

SNESUSE Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Sequel

SN Video game is a sequel to an earlier video game.BT Single game.RT Prequel

ShmupUSE Shoot-em-up

ShooterSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character fighting various enemies with one or more weapons.BT ActionNT First-person shooter

Shoot-em-upRole-playing shooterTactical shooterThird-person shooter

Shoot-em-upSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character fighting large numbers of enemies while simultaneously dodging attacks and other hazards.UF ShmupBT ShooterNT Fixed shooter

Run-and-gunScrolling shooterBullet hellTube shooter

Single gameSN Either a stand-alone video game or the first entry in a video game series.NT Prequel

Sequel

SportSN Emphasizes a single-player or team-based sport or sports.NT Team management.

Super NESUSE Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemSN Video game console in production by Nintendo from 1990 to 1999.UF SNES

Super NES

Survival horrorSN Emphasizes horror atmosphere and a comparatively ill-equipped and unprepared player-controlled character or characters fighting numerous and powerful enemies.

StrategySN Emphasizes manipulation of military-like armed forces for the explicit goal of either defeating the enemy in some manner.

Tactical RPGUSE Tactical role-playing game

Tactical role-playing gameSN Emphasizes manipulation of player-controlled character(s) that requires careful execution of tactics and strategies where said characters have statistical information that can be managed as per Role-playing game.UF Tactical RPGBT Role-playing game

Tactical shooterSN Similar to First-person shooter but emphasizes careful execution of tactics and strategies, often from a military or police background.BT First-person shooter

Third-person shooterSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character fighting various enemies from a third-person perspective.BT Shooter

Team managementSN Emphasizes management of sporting franchise, including statistics and team members.UF Franchise managementBT Sports

Tube shooterSN Emphasizes a lone player-controlled character fighting various enemies with a projectile firing weapon or weapons within a tube-like environment.BT Shoot-em-up

USUSE United States of America

USAUSE United States of America

United StatesUSE United States of America

United States of AmericaSN Location of developer or publisher.UF America

US

USAUnited States

UnpublishedSN Designating a video game that has not been published, regardless of whether or not it’s playable to any degree.

X-BoxSN Video game console in production by Microsoft from 2001 to 2006.UF Microsoft X-Box

X-Box 360SN Video game console in production by Microsoft from 2005 to present.UF 360

Microsoft X-Box 360

Section 3.0 - Appendices3.1 - Sample EntriesBelow are five example surrogates using the preferred facets and terms. The only other facets considered would be the title for each item being indexed, which is listed in italics to better differentiate it from the preferred facets. The order in which the facets are listed is the recommended order for presentation on a display.

Title: Halo 2Date of Publication: 2004Genre: First-person shooterType: SequelConsole: X-boxMedium: DVD-ROMsMotivation: Defeat personsDeveloper Location: United States of AmericaPublisher Location: United States of AmericaDescription: The destruction of Halo slowed the Covenant, but it did not stop them. Fueled by faith, fury and vengeance, they have swept aside all of our defenses and gained a foothold on the most precious prize of all -- Earth. With the human military scattered and crushed, the fate of the planet lies in the hands of one man. Spartan 117 -- the Master Chief. But resourceful and tenacious as he is, the Master Chief will have to rely on new weapons, unexpected allies and a secret so incredible, it will change the Galaxy forever.

Title: Final Fantasy IIIDate of Publication: 1993Genre: Asian role-playing gameType: SequelConsole: Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemMedium: ROM cartridgesMotivation: Defeat personsDeveloper Location: JapanPublisher Location: United States of America

Description: MagiTek has been reborn. And the end of the world is near....Centuries have passed and a rational world now exists with Espers living only in myths, until one frozen solid since the ancient wears is unearthed. Suddenly, there are reports of magical attacks on civilians. Imperial Commandos launch raids using magic-powered MagiTek weapons. Magic is obviously alive and the world is in danger again. Who or what is behind the rediscovery and redeployment of this legendary power? What chaotic plans exist that will wreak havoc on this orderly world?

Title: Super Mario All-StarsDate of Publication: 1993Genre: PlatformerType: CompilationConsole: Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemMedium: ROM cartridgesMotivation: Defeat personsDeveloper Location: JapanPublisher Location: United States of AmericaDescription: Revisit the magic and fun of the classic Super Mario Bros. series on your Super NES! All the great Super Mario Bros. games for the NES have been powered up with 16-bit graphics and sound and collected on one super game pak. As an added bonus, the previously unreleased “Lost Levels” are included. These super challenging courses have never been available in this country until now!

Title: DoomDate of Publication: 1995Genre: First-person shooterType: Single gameConsole: Super Nintendo Entertainment SystemMedium: ROM cartridgesMotivation: Defeat personsDeveloper Location:: United States of AmericaPublisher Location: United States of AmericaDescription: N/A

Title: Dead SpaceDate of Publication: 2008Genre: Survival HorrorType: Single gameConsole: X-Box 360Medium: DVD-ROMsMotivation: Escape placesDeveloper Location: United States of AmericaPublisher Location: United States of AmericaDescription: A massive deep-space mining ship goes dark after unearthing a strange artifact on a distant planet. Engineer Issac Clarke embarks on the repair mission, only to uncover a nightmarish bloodbath -- the ship’s crew horribly slaughtered and infected by an alien scourge. Now Isaac is cut off, trapped, and engaged in a desperate fight for survival.