Episode 145 Types of Games
Hi and welcome to Experience Points by University XP. On Experience Points, we explore different ways we can learn from games. I’m your host Dave Eng from games-based learning by University XP. Find out more at www.universityxp.com.
Today, we’re diving into something that might seem simple on the surface, but as it turns out, it's anything but. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about game types, and not just your usual categories like board games or video games. We’re digging deeper: into the psychology, the structure, and the social impact of how we play. So let’s get ready to explore the worlds of competitive, cooperative, and hybrid games—and why defining different game types isn’t nearly as straightforward as it sounds.
Let’s start with the obvious question: What even is a game?
For our purposes today, we’ll define a game as an abstract system made up of rules and information that guide how players behave in pursuit of a specific outcome—a win condition, if you will.
Now, where it gets tricky is in trying to categorize all the games out there. Because guess what? Most games don’t fit neatly into just one box. That’s why we’ll be focusing on three broad categories: competitive, cooperative, and the ever-blurry hybrid games that mix a little bit of both.
Let’s start off with the most recognizable type of games: competitive games. These are your chess, your Go, your sports matches, and your card duels—any game where someone wins and someone else loses. So, what’s the core characteristic behind these games? It’s that YOU are playing AGAINST others.
But competition isn’t just about crushing your opponents. At their best, these games help us sharpen strategy, build resilience, and even collaborate when playing as a team. Think of soccer, or even team-based board games like Codenames.
Now, some critics argue that competitive games promote aggression or reinforce capitalist ideals with only one winner, while everyone else loses. And sure, that can happen. But with the right framing, competition can be a powerful tool for learning. It informs planning, emotional control, and even sportsmanship. The key is in how it’s used, especially in learning environments. Too much pressure, and players shut down. But with the right balance? Magic can happen.
Now let’s shift focus for a moment and talk about cooperative games—where the goal isn’t to beat each other, but to win together. In these games, players team up to reach a shared outcome. Think Pandemic, where you’re battling viruses as a team, or Gloomhaven, where you strategize your way through fantasy quests together.
This isn’t a new idea either. The earliest version of Monopoly—originally called The Landlord’s Game—actually had cooperative rules built into it. Wild, right? Cooperative games shine in educational and social settings. They teach communication, negotiation, and leadership. But they’re not always a walk in the park. Many include unique challenges like limited communication, or random elements that force players to adapt and respond as a unit.
Games like Hanabi and The Mind take this to the next level: you’re working together, but you can’t openly share everything. It’s trust and teamwork under pressure. And the social benefits of playing these kinds of games? Huge. These games are often used for social-emotional learning, fostering empathy, inclusion, and cooperation.
Of course, not every game fits neatly into the our-team-versus-their-team or all-of-us together model. Enter: hybrid games. These are games that blur the lines—where cooperation and competition mix like oil and vinegar. Sometimes it’s temporary alliances, like in Diplomacy or the Game of Thrones board game. Other times, it’s a twist—like one player secretly working against the team, which you’ll find in games like Werewolf, or Battlestar Galactica.
And then there are games with rotating alliances or solo-win conditions that evolve over time. These hybrids create tension, strategy, and a whole lot of second-guessing. It’s part of what makes them so popular. They also reflect real-life social dynamics—where trust, collaboration, and competition coexist. And that makes them a fascinating tool for applied learning.
So—why does any of this matter? Well, games are powerful tools. In education, team-building, and even therapy, the kind of game you choose can completely shape the outcome. Cooperative games are especially effective for promoting inclusiveness and group cohesion. Everyone contributes. No one gets left out. But educators need to be mindful. Sometimes one player—what’s called the “quarterback”—can take over and dominate a group. To avoid this, it helps to rotate leadership roles or set clear expectations up front. And when it comes to learning through games, it’s not just about winning. It’s about the process. Whether you win or lose, the real takeaway is in the experience.
So, what have we learned? Well, sorting games into tidy categories is more art than science. Competitive games, cooperative games, and hybrid types all offer unique benefits—and challenges. The trick is knowing which kind fits your goals, your players, and your context. Because at the end of the day, all games require one thing: a willingness to play, to follow the rules, and to engage. And that, in itself, is a beautiful kind of cooperation.
I hope you found this episode useful. If you’d like to learn more, then a great place to start is with my free course on gamification. You can sign up for it at www.universityxp.com/gamification You can also get a full transcript of this episode including links to references in the description or show notes. Thanks for joining me! Again, I’m your host Dave Eng from games-based learning by University XP. On Experience Points we explore different ways we can learn from games. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing. Subscribing is free and ensures that you’ll get the next episode of Experience Points delivered directly to you. I’d also love it if you took some time to rate the show! I live to lift others with learning. So, if you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit. Also make sure to visit University XP online at www.universityxp.com University XP is also on Twitter @University_XP and on Facebook and LinkedIn as University XP. Also, feel free to email me anytime. My email address is dave@universityxp.com Game on!
Dave Eng, EdD
Principal
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Cite this Episode
Eng, D. (2024, November 19). Types of Games. Retrieved MONTH DATE, YEAR, from https://www.universityxp.com/blog/2024/11/19/types-of-games
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