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Games Video Games

Video Games refers to almost any game that uses a video screen to display the results of a player's actions, whether played on a home computer, or a game console.

Submissions are not accepted at this level. Only sites pertaining to all video games or covers the topic of video gaming as a whole will be considered in this category.
Please consider suggesting sites directly to a subcategory of Games/Video_Games.

Action

Action games primarily involve fast-paced combat with some form of movement, and elements of puzzle solving, strategy, plot, and story line. These elements are not prime themes of the games, but may still be important features.

Many other genres list games that have elements of action. Fighting lists games with a very high proportion of combat in a relatively fixed arena. Shooter lists games with a very high proportion of combat and exploration or movement across terrain. Action-Adventure lists games with higher proportion of puzzle solving than combat. Driving_and_Racing lists games that primarily involve racing or piloting vehicles, although may contain elements of combat. Simulation lists games that stress the interaction of vehicles and environment over action.

Certain collections of games based around a space theme (such as Star Wars or Star Trek) are listed within action, even though certain individual titles may not be action titles.
Please note that many games popularly classified as ''action'' are categorized by ODP under other more specific genres. These include Fighting, Shooter, Action-Adventure, Driving_and_Racing, and Simulation.

If you cannot find a suitable category within Action/, please consider looking in the categories listed above, or using the search facility to check that the game category does not exist under another genre. Most games, particularly popular ones such as Counter-Strike or Grand Theft Auto, already have established categories.

Please submit sites that have no English language content within World.

Action-Adventure

Action-Adventure games are typically played using a 3rd Person 3D graphical engine. Players are usually on a quest of some sort which requires active playing with guns, magic, or other weapons. Character typically run, jump, and interact with their surroundings.

Adventure

In Adventure games (also referred to as interactive fiction), the player enters a game world and the story's progression follows from the player's interaction with that world. Progress toward the goal is usually impeded by intellectual problems to solve using resources within the game world. The term adventure game derives from Crowther and Woods's "Adventure", the computer game that invented the genre. This category includes classic text adventures (like the original Zork trilogy), and graphical adventure games (like Myst). Interactive movies like Dragon's Lair lack the intellectual problem solving of adventure games, but may be listed here for want of a better category. Games in the cinematic adventure genre, such as Tomb Raider, are not necessarily adventure games in the sense used here. Nor are collections of puzzles on a similar theme, like Jewels of the Oracle, though they may be marketed as adventure games because puzzle games appeal to the same audience. The best RPGs (roleplaying games) share the plot-driven character of interactive fiction, though interaction with the game world is often limited to combat and static conversations rather than intellectual problem solving. They are listed under Genres/Roleplaying.

Browser Based

Games that can be played online with a web browser. Some require browser components such as Java, JavaScript, or Shockwave, but all are playable through the web browser.

This category is for sites that can be played online thought your web browser only. To have you site added faster, please submit it to the subcategory that best suits your site.

Chats and Forums

Sites where gamers from all over the world can interact with each other to share views, gaming tips, and reviews for video games.
Only sites that contain chats or forums dedicated to more than one game or platform should be submitted to this category. If your site focuses on a specific topic, please find that topic and submit your site to its category.

For example, a Nintendo chat room would be submitted to Games: Video Games: Console Platforms: Nintendo.

Cheats and Hints

This category is for those websites that feature cheats for both computer AND console platforms together. Also, please ensure that your site contains your own content, and not just links to other cheats. Please do not submit redirect urls, such as come.to or go.to. Please avoid the use of promotional copy in your descriptions. Other categories exist for sites that specialize in certain console or computer platforms. Sites offering cheats and hints for a specific game title can be found in that title's category. If your site is a directory of everyone else's cheats, please submit your site to: Games: Video Games: Directories
Please do not submit your site if it contains less than 25 games, also please do not submit your site if it contains cheats for only one console. Your site must contain cheats for at least 2 platforms.

Clans and Guilds

Contains clan and guild sites which play a variety of multiplay and massive multiplayer games, or which are about clans for those games.
Clans for specific games should not be listed in this category, please look for the more specific category for the game itself. Doing so will allow editors to list your site faster.

Computer Platforms

General sites about video gaming on personal computer platforms (e.g., Macintosh, Windows, Linux, Amiga).
What doesn''t belong here:

Console Platforms

By definition home video games use video displays (ordinary TV sets or TV monitors). In here you can find all kinds of systems starting from the first system Odyssey to the latest ones, as Xbox and GameCube. Also handheld video game systems are listed in here.
What doesn''t belong here:

Construction

Games that focus on building and creation.

Developers and Publishers

Companies that create and publish video games.
Only sites for companies, or sites dealing with games from only one company should be submitted here.

Directories

Directories of video game related links.
Sites that are not primarily directories but have substantial other content (news, reviews, etc.) probably belong in another category like Games: Video Games: News and Reviews.

Downloads

Lists games and related files that are available for download.

Driving and Racing

Computer or video games where the player controls a car or other vehicle, moving at a simulated high speed, and avoiding obstacles. Often the goal is to race other vehicles.
Sites will not be listed at this level, unless their main content is about ALL combat driving and racing games.

Following these guidelines will allow us to add your site to the directory as quickly as possible.

  • Use your site''s actual title.
  • Create a brief description, under 25 words, listing the current content of your site (not the future content).
  • Do not use first person verbiage (we, our, us).
  • Do not use marketing verbiage. (We''re the best!, Most awesome site, Check it Out!)
  • Avoid using terms such as much more, lots, more, or anything else that would indicate that there is more to your site than what is in the description. Take the time to list out what the site has instead of using these terms.
  • Your description should resemble descriptions of sites already listed in the category.

Educational

Free educational games that can be played in your web browser should be submitted to Games/Internet/Browser_Based/. They may only be submitted here if anyone may download the games to use in their own web pages.

Emulation

Emulation is the process of simulating the hardware of one computer (particularly the processor) via software on a different one. In other words, it allows you to use software meant for another system that you may not have access to by running a program on your system. For instance, an emulator will let you use an arcade machine that no longer exist or use a game console that can no longer be purchased. Note that this category is different from Computers: Emulators because the focus here is on the emulation of general gaming purpose computers (also called consoles) and arcade machines.
Websites which feature a regular updated News section should be submitted to the News and Media subcategory.

Due to legal threats from Nintendo of America, Inc no site containing ROM Images for any of the systems published by Nintendo (including arcade machines) may be listed in the Open Directory Project.

Fan Pages

If you have a personal homepage that has content about anything to do with video games, whether computer or console (ex. Nintendo 64), this category is for you. Please, do NOT submit redirect URL's.

Fighting

Video or computer action games in which the players control individual characters that fight each other, in an arena or similar "bout" or setting. Battles are one on one matches, or matches of small groups. The emphasis is on exaggerated and fantasy martial arts moves. Typically combinations of different buttons or keys and joystick or controller movements are required to generate the more complicated attacks.
Following these guidelines will allow us to add your site to the directory as quickly as possible.

  • Submit your site using your main url.
  • Use your site''s actual title.
  • Create a brief description, under 25 words, listing the current content of your site (not the future content)
  • Do not use first person verbiage (we, our, us).
  • Do not use marketing verbiage. (We''re the best!, Most awesome site, Check it Out!)
  • Avoid using terms such as much more, lots, more, or anything else that would indicate that there is more to your site than what is in the description. Take the time to list out what the site has instead of using these terms.
  • Your description should look like the ones in the rest of the category. If they don''t you did something wrong and you need to fix it.

    • All sites dealing primarily with Deathrow can be submitted to this category. Description Examples:

    1. Character information, MIDI files, image gallery and message board.

    2. Character profiles, walkthrough and images.

    If the site has frames you may also want to add that to the description. If the site requires components such as Shockwave add that to the description as well.

    Claiming to have anything in the description that your site does not have may result in your site not being listed. Not following these guidelines will result in your site not being listed.

Game Design

This category is only for sites by or primarily concerned with specific video game designers. Sites concerning other types of game designers (board games, pen and paper RPGs or card games for example) should be listed under their appropriate category, such as Games:Board Games:Developers and Publishers. Sites which offer games for download should only be listed here if there is a significant amount of information on the designer.

Artists and animators should list their portfolio and personal sites under the Arts category, for example in Arts:Illustration:Illustrator Portfolios. Level designer sites which focus on maps for a specific game or set of games should be listed under that series. Sites for mods or mod makers should be listed under the appropriate game or game series.

Handheld Platforms

In this category is for video game platforms that are portable and can be played without a stationary television or computer. This category combines aspects of both console and computer platforms since most handheld platforms at this time are second generation console platforms or are based on a computer operating system.
Things that Do Not belong in this category:
  • Sites devoted to specific games should be submitted under that genre (listed in Games: Video Games).
  • Sites specific to traditional personal computer gaming (those not playable without a desktop/laptop computer) belong in Games: Video Games: Computer Platforms.
  • Sites specific to traditional console gaming (those not playable without a television, for example) belong in Games: Video Games: Console Platforms.
  • Sites that deal with backups, ROM-images for Nintendo systems, or "warez". These sites will be deleted without being reviewed.

Please note that games published for non-handheld platforms which are playable on handheld platforms do not belong here.

History

A collection of materials related to the history of video games.

Humorous

Contains sites and categories for games that can be considered in the humor genre or are in other genres driven in large part by humor. These games can be spoofs that aim to entertain through satire. This category does not contain sites about video game humor. See Games: Video Games: Humor and Jokes.
Only submit video games in the humor genre. This category is not for humorous sites about video games.

Humor and Jokes

This category is for sites offering humor (cartoons, satire, commentary) about video games.
Sites about humorous games should be submitted to Games: Video Games: Humorous.

Massive Multiplayer Online

Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) are games where all players play on the same playing field. Players are connected via the Internet and play in the same game world. MMOGs have no single player element, they can only be played online, and usualy take place in a persistent environment.
Please only submit sites to this category if they are about Massive Multiplayer Online Games in general, or if it relates to several very different games. If the site is related to a single specific game then it should be submitted to the category for that game.

If it relates to massive multiplayer games of a specific genre then it should be submitted to the category for that genre.

Multiplayer

All about multiplayer games.

Please follow these rules or your site will not be accepted into this category.

  • Do Not Capitalize Every Word In Your Description.
  • Do not try to promote your site by using "best site ever", "great site", or anything like that.
  • Keep the description short and clean.
  • Do not include any of the following words: Webpage, website, homepage etc in the title or description.
  • This category is for multiplayer games in general. If your page is for a certain game then submit it in the game specific category.

Music

This category is for sites that contain video game music, and information about video game music. Video game music is music of any style that is part of a video game. There is a wide variety of video game music out there, from the early beeps of the Commodore 64, to the CD quality sound of the Sony Playstation. The music is divided into sub-categories based on the file type of the music (MIDI, WAV, MP3, etc.)
Only sites directly relating to music in gaming should be submitted. Sites that do not have gaming music files on them will not be accepted, nor will ROM sites.

Music and Dance

The emerging genre of rhythm action games began with Parappa the Rapper, a pattern-repetition rapping game. Parappa's surprise success was capitalized on by a host of music and dance related games, in which gameplay typically requires keeping time with musical rhythm. Thus, a new genre is born.

News and Reviews

Contains sites whose main focus are to provide information, news, reviews, previews, articles, and fora. All sites cover computer and console video games.
Please only submit news and reviews sites that cover multiple hardware platforms.

Platform

In platform games, the goal is to run and jump (on platforms, or something like them) to the end of each level, (often while collecting tokens placed in hard-to-reach places throughout the level). Attacking enemies and/or dangerous obstacles that must be avoided or destroyed. The classic Mario World games probably defined the genre, however there were platforms before Mario, such as Jumpman, one of the original games of this type.
All sites dealing primarily with Ape Escape Series can be submitted to this category.

Following these guidelines will allow us to add your site to the directory as quickly as possible.

  • Use your site''s actual title.
  • Create a brief description, under 25 words, listing the current content of your site (not the future content).
  • Do not use first person verbiage (we, our, us).
  • Do not use marketing verbiage. (We''re the best!, Most awesome site, Check it Out!)
  • Avoid using terms such as much more, lots, more, or anything else that would indicate that there is more to your site than what is in the description. Take the time to list out what the site has instead of using these terms.
  • Your description should resemble descriptions of sites already listed in the category.

Recreation

Please submit to the Freeware or Shareware subcategories if appropriate.

If your game has a subcategory devoted to it, submit your site there.

Non-software games played online should be submitted to the Browser Based Card Games category.

Sites related for play solely on a Handheld device should be submitted to the Handheld Card Games category.

Sites devoted to rules and other information rather than playing games on a computer should be sent to Card Games.

Mirror sites, doorways and sites under construction will not be accepted.

Roleplaying

Computer and console RPGs (roleplaying games) are like computer-mediated tabletop RPGs. RPGs are combat-oriented games in which you play a character (or group of characters) in a story. Generally, the goal is to go certain places and perform required actions to advance the story, while fighting off enemies who are out to stop you. Your character grows in power from success in fighting, accumulating weapons and armor with different capabilities, and items with special abilities like relieving combat damage.
Before submitting to this category, look under the letters in the alphabet bar to find existing sub-categories for RPGs.

There are two types of sites that should be submitted to this category:

  • Sites which provide resourceful information on all (or most) RPGs in a professional manner.
  • Sites for RPGs that do not have their own sub-category.

Fan sites should be submitted to Games: Video Games: Roleplaying: Fan Pages under the appropriate letter.

Shooter

Video and computer games where the player controls a single character, usually a person, exploring an environment, usually 3 dimensional, and shooting enemies as they appear. The enemies may shoot back or simply rush to close and destroy the character in melee. Often different weapons can be found or earned. Often it takes several hits to destroy a character or the more powerful enemies. "First person shooter" games, started by Castle Wolfenstein 3D, simulate the player seeing through the character's eyes. "Third person shooter" games present a side or top view of the character and environment.
There are only two types of sites that should be submitted to this category.

1. General sites which focus on more than one shooter game.

2. Sites for specific games which do not have a dedicated category.

Simulation

Games which not only attempt to accurately represent the environment but also the users/vehicles interaction with it. The interaction components are an integral part of the game and are stressed over the action aspects in order to represent the environment better. Another key characteristic is that gameplay and controls are often much more complex than in action games.
Please search for your site''s appropriate subcategory.

Sites that would be listed in Games/Video_Games/Simulation should have multi-range content on many different simulation games.

Sports

A range of simulated video games depicting an indoor or outdoor game or activity according to rules.
Sports related games playable on the web. See the category of Computer and Video Games for more sports games, not on the Net.

Strategy

A strategy game is where the player sees the "big picture." This usually includes controlling many units at once on a large map. Winning requires coordination of the units to destroy an opponent's stronghold or conquering an area of the game map. Strategy games usually require gathering and managing resources (oil, gold, food, etc). Please see real-time and turn-based for the different types of strategy games.
Before submitting to this level of the directory, make sure there is no possible sub-category for the site to be submitted to. The only sites that will be listed in this category are sites about strategy video games as a whole.

For strategy games with no sub-category of their own, submit them in either real-time or turn-based, depending on the game type. If the game doesn''t fall under either of those or has aspects of both, submit the game''s sites here.

Note: Sites submitted to this level of the directory may take several months to be listed. Before submitting to this category, make sure there are no possible subcategories the submitted site will fit under.

Word Games

Word Game video games are games played on consoles or computers which deal words and letters. Most of these games are electronic versions of popular board and tile games.
Following these guidelines will allow us to add your site to the directory as quickly as possible.

  • Submit your site using your main url.
  • Use your site''s actual title.
  • Create a brief description, under 25 words, listing the current content of your site (not the future content)
  • Do not use first person verbiage (we, our, us).
  • Don''t bother using marketing verbiage. (We''re the best!, Most awesome site, Check it Out!) Marketing verbiage is removed.
  • All sites are reviewed periodically.
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