My Developing understandings around gaming genres:

How to classify genres in gaming?
From my understanding, there are a lot of genres that are used in gaming and because of this a number of codes and conventions are in place so that it is easier for us as consumers to identify these genres. "Video game genre study differs markedly from literary or film genre study due to the direct and active participation of the audience." (The Medium of the Video Game).
In order to classify a genre it is best to find conventions that are typically used to convey a certain genre i.e. action or horror .
For example typical horror genre conventions would be the use of dark, dim lighting and creaky, eerie noises whereas an action type genre would have guns shooting, bombs going off and a lot of running and jumping around (basically no staying still) would be typical of an action genre.


What are some of the challenges?
However although it is useful that genres can be classified through the identification of multiple conventions, the world both virtual and reality are not so black and white. Complications occur when genres begin to overlap each other making it harder to identify a specific genre and may result in sub-genres. "....and the fact that genres are always in flux as long as new works are being produced...." I am then assuming that as more genre types are be invented due to the never-ending creativity of society, there would be more confusion, debates and  maybe interests in the identifying of such genres.

Using Mark J.P Wolfs understanding summarize:
Platform- This is a genre in which the player is displayed as a 2D character in a 2D world and the goal of the game is to make it pass many levels while the character is controlled and collects items, rewards and even fights monsters in order to progress. "Characters and settings are seen in side view as opposed to top view..." (The Medium of the Video Game).


             
  - Escape: These are games where the goal is to actually escape from pursuers or maybe even escape from a room or they are trying to get out from some type of enclosure. The player is either being constantly pursued or is just trying to find the necessary keys or objects needed to escape from the room. These games usually end when the player escapes from the room, the player escapes for a period of time but succumbs to the end or the player is able to avoid pursuers by entering a safe place. Note: the character is only escaping from something/someone and is not battling anything.

Example 1: Pacman

Example 2: Escape room

     
- Strategy: This type of genre focuses on the sole use of strategy(lol) in order to either advance to the next level or win the game. These games do not require the use any fast paced action or combat as they aren't necessary to win the game. However games that use strategy and also incorporate the use of  combat(action), dark lighting(horror) or even fast reflexes(more action) would be categorized as sub-genres and would not count as a typical strategy game as there is more to winning the game than just a strategy i.e. fast reflex or good hand-eye coordination. Because there is a collaboration and crossing over of more than one genre it would not solely count as a Strategy genre.