Game Types - twitchtv/igdb-contribution-guidelines GitHub Wiki

We allow multiple types of games on IGDB, depending on the release format or the requirements on a base game.

Main Game

The primary game itself. Sometimes also referred to as a Base game. This is the option by default.

Bundle

A compilation of several games into one.

Examples:

To be considered a bundle, the games inside should meet the following requirements:

  • The games included should be full games. A good indicator for this is that each game included has a title screen, credits, etc.
  • The games included should be a main focus of the product.
    • UFO 50 is sold as a collection of 50 games and is tracked as a bundle.
    • Animal Crossing has bonus NES games present, but these are not the main focus of the game and would not warrant tracking Animal Crossing as a bundle.

Please note that a bundle should be games only. A set that comes with a game, a soundtrack, a figure etc should be marked as an edition and not as a bundle.

Sometimes stores create their own un-official physical bundles by combining series or franchises, making unique bundles for sale events, and so on. These bundles will be validated on a case-by-case basis. Please keep this in mind when adding bundles to IGDB.

For more information about release dates for bundles and individual games part of a bundle/collection, take a look HERE.

DLC

A small piece of additional content but still sizable enough to increase the life-span of a game (by adding new levels/missions, characters, feature or storyline).

*This is not the same as packs.

Sometimes you might come across downloadable ‘game modes’. In most cases, this is the same as a DLC and should be treated as such. In rare cases a game mode could also be an expansion depending on the size.

Examples:

Episode

An episode (typically of shorter length), is released as an installment to continue a larger story. Episodic games differ from conventional video games in that they often contain less content but are developed on a more frequent basis. *Not every game with “episode” in the title will fit this type.

Examples:

Expanded Game

An expanded Game is usually a re-release with additional content added to it. The main game mostly stays the same, but could get increased gameplay in the shape of alternative endings, additional characters, added quests etc. An expanded game can also be referred to as an “enhanced game”.

Also note that an expanded game should come with multiple updates at once and it should include content that can't be bought or downloaded outside of that version. If a game comes with downloadable DLCs, it should probably be a bundle rather than an Expanded Game. Also make sure to not confuse Expanded game with ports.

Persona 5 Royal is a perfect example of an Expanded Game. The main game stayed the same, but they added multiple things such as more gameplay, new characters, new places and a big expanded story that can't be found in a DLC or expansion.

Examples:

Of note, there are rare examples where a game is re-released with new content that replaces old content rather than adding onto it, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Master Quest, which keeps the same story, items, overworld, etc., but changes all of the puzzles present in dungeons. Games like this would not be considered Expanded Games on IGDB, and would more likely fall under the Standalone Expansion type.

Expansion

A significant piece of additional content, typically adding a lot of content or story to the base game (TLDR: it expands the game and makes it larger).

Examples:

Fork

A fork is when a developer makes a copy of other open source games and starts independent development on it, creating a separate and distinct piece of work.

Examples:

Mod

A mod or “modification” is when a player or fan makes an alteration of a video game that changes how the game looks or behaves. Mods can range from small tweaks to complete overhauls and can extend the replay value of the game.

*If you are unsure if the mod you are adding is acceptable, please refer back to this.

Examples:

Pack/Addon

Game Packs are smaller pieces of downloadable content that usually contain cosmetics or other things that don't significantly alter gameplay.

While DLCs and Expansions primarily focus on expanding the gameplay with additional storyline, packs are mostly added for customization and depth details.

On IGDB, packs should add something new to the base game and contain enough information and media to warrant its own game page.

Note: When adding a description for an entry with the pack game type, you can include a list of items that are part of that pack (just like we do with Editions and Bundles).

Packs that are allowed:

  • Cosmetics
  • Costumes
  • Customization options
  • Sound effects, voice, BGM and music packs

Examples:

Packs that are NOT allowed:

  • Textures and presets
  • Wallpapers
  • Power, booster, starter, time saver, early access packs
  • Supporter packs
  • Token, coins, chest, orb packs
  • Digital goodies
  • Upgrade packs
  • Unlocks
  • Cosmetics from in-game stores

New types of packs will be taken into account on an individual basis. If you are unsure whether a specific pack falls under the 'accepted' category, please reach out to us in Discord!

Port

A port can be a re-release of a game, or a completely separate game entirely. There are two main scenarios:

At launch: This is often the case for games releasing across many different platforms (Home console and Handheld) where it is marketed as the same game but really can be completely different (engine, graphics, player perspective, companies involved..)

Post launch: This is generally the case when a game is brought to a new platform with significant visual or gameplay changes to accommodate the difference in hardware capabilities or drastically different control schemes.

*Please note that not all VR games are ports.

Examples:

Remake

A Remake is when developers retain the plot, characters, setting etc from an original game and rebuild it from the ground up, making it a brand new game. That usually includes new controls, new features, new engine and new assets.

Examples:

Remaster

The focus on a remaster is presentation. It’s usually a re-release on a platform for newer generations and comes with things like HD graphics, sound upgrade (re-recorded voice tracks and soundtracks), updated models etc.

Examples:

Season

A season is an expansion of a game where gameplay has been updated or changed in order to keep it fresh. This also includes new scenarios, characters or a story based on that specific season. A season usually has a schedule where it begins and where it ends.

Examples:

Make sure that you connect the Season to the correct parent.

Examples:

Destiny 2: Forsaken - Black Armory should be connected to Destiny 2: Forsaken and not Destiny 2.

Please note that 'Timed Events' that take place over a shorter period of time do not qualify as a season. We currently don't accept 'Timed Events' as we have no good way of organizing this data.

Example:

Marvel's Avengers is a game that has a lot of 'Timed Events' that we currently don't support.

*Not to be confused with episodic games that become a 'Season' when bundled together to complete the game.

Standalone Expansion

A standalone expansion is a title that expands a story or uses the same engine without requiring the main game to be played or owned.

Examples:

Update

A Game Update (also sometimes known as a Version) is a significant update that expands and improves on the base game. Some updates are time-based, while others are permanent. Larger updates may also have their own subtitles. Updates are almost always downloaded and installed automatically on top of the base game without your involvement or additional payments.

Please double-check the following before submitting a 'update' as a new game entry:

  • Check that a game update is not a Season. On IGDB, seasons have their own pages.
  • If you have to pay to get the updated gameplay, the entry should be labeled as a DLC or an expansion rather than an update.
  • A Game Update is more than just a list of patches and bug fixes. New things, such as worlds, levels, characters, and storylines, must be added in addition to various fixes.
  • Smaller updates (such as a new costume, more coins, and a few bug fixes) will not be accepted.
  • The update should contain enough information and media to fill the majority of an IGDB game page.
  • Big updates usually have their own sub-title, which is a good indication that they are significant.

Examples:

Please keep in mind that we will validate 'Updates' on a case-by-case basis, and some contributions may be discarded if the update is deemed too minor.

What is the difference between a DLC and an Expansion?

DLC (Downloadable Content): This is a broad term for additional parts of a game that you can obtain online and that automatically will be added to your game after downloaded. It’s usually reserved for official content from the original company. DLC tends to be smaller than expansions and is often small content added to the base game. This is not the same as cosmetic packs.

Expansion: An expansion is usually a separate, larger piece of content that builds on top of the existing game to add significant new features. The content can be large enough to put on a CD and be sold in a store. It expands the game and makes the title larger together with the base game.

Today a lot of companies see DLC and Expansions as the same thing. If you’re not sure then ask for feedback from the community via our Discord!