Genre and subgenre definitions can be both confusing and contentious.
Or we can have fun with all our differences. Thanks to game designer Steve Ince for pointing out these two handy guides to genre in his blog:
Handy Guide to Genre Distinctions
Handy Guide to Genre Distinctions in Videogames
These folks have inspired me to create this
Handy Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Subgenres
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Science Fiction subgenres
Hard Science Fiction: playing with AI, genetic engineering and matter-energy transference.
Military Science Fiction: playing with ginormous space warships
Colonial Science Fiction: playing on alien planets
Space Opera: playing with blasters and rocket ships
Space Western: playing with sixguns and rocket ships
Steampunk: playing with dirigibles and shiny brass steam engines
Alternate History: playing in the Confederate States of the Third Reich
Time Travel: playing with the Tardis and the laws of Relativity
Cyberpunk: playing havoc with the Establishment’s computer networks
Dystopian Science Fiction: Big Brother doesn’t allow playing
Post-apocalypse Science Fiction: nothing left to play with
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Fantasy Subgenres
Epic Fantasy: playing with heroes, elves and evil overlords
Urban Fantasy: playing with immortal critters in the sewers
Dark Fantasy: playing with magic that might or might not cost your soul
Sword and Sorcery: playing with big swords and tiny garments
Magic Realism: playing with ordinary life through a really warped mirror
Paranormal Mystery and Romance: playing with vampires, werewolves and ghosts
Superhero Fantasy: playing with capes, tights and heat vision (or is that erotic fantasy…?)
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For more serious reference, the definition-defying genre books site Worlds Without End has a much longer list of subgenres, with popup definitions (which I have ignored because actual definitions might affect the silliness). I notice their list forgot steampunk!
And please do suggest more subgenres and definitions if you have them!
Hello, there
Interesting description about generes and subgeneres. However, there’s a serious distinction to be made about the “Paranormal Mystery and Romance” subgenere: now it also relates to teenagers having intimate relationships with vampires, or willing to nonetheless.
Popular culture is seriously deviating the traditional understanding of fantastic creatures, indeed. And I blame you, Robert Pattinson!!
Errr… just kidding. Thank you for your contribution in my site, it was very kind of you.
Daniel.
By: Daniel Mesa on March 19, 2010
at 9:56 am
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I also enjoyed my visit to your site and will visit again soon!
By: kshayes513 on March 19, 2010
at 10:52 pm
My favorite:
Sword and Sorcery: playing with big swords and tiny garments
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!
Urban Fantasy is pretty good, too!
By: Marilyn R. Pukkila on March 29, 2010
at 2:22 pm