Action+Games

Action games are games that focus on fast-paced on-screen activity. The genre is very broad, and can include subgenres such as fighting games, first-person shooters and platformers. These games require players to quickly read and react to the game state. Classic arcade games such as //Pac-Man// and //Space Invaders// fall into this genre.

Like other video game genres, games that include "action" elements frequently also include elements of other genres, such as leveling up a character (role-playing genre) or solving puzzles (puzzle genre).

Educational potential
There are several reasons why action games are not the most obvious fit for educational use. They rarely include strong narratives into which educational content can be embedded, for example. They demand strong hand-eye coordination and can be quite frustrating for novice players. Action gameplay is also frequently themed around violent conflict.

However, some action games may have potential educational value. //Crayon Physics Deluxe// is a puzzle-based platform action game in which drawings created by the player take on physical properties within the game world. Such a game could be an incredible introduction into basic computer skills or basic physics concepts for young children. Action games are also beginning to tell more complex stories, which may make them interesting for use with older populations. For example, //Bioshock//, an M-rated first-person shooter released in 2007, received rave reviews in part for its story about a failed Objectivist utopia.