Games · Effort
The effort scale
Every tag placed on a 1-to-10 scale of what a typical shipped game carrying it needs: art fidelity, systems depth, content volume, netcode, physics. Hand-written rubric; a niche takes the highest effort of its tags.
355 tags placed · M mechanic · T setting · D mood
Effort 1
1 · text and UI only
words, numbers and menus; no real-time art
Effort 2
2 · static 2D art, simple logic
still images, cards, tiles; turn or click driven
- Puzzle M
- Visual Novel M
- Point & Click M
- Logic M
- Hidden Object M
- Choose Your Own Adventure M
- Dating Sim M
- Card Game M
- Tabletop M
- Board Game M
- Match 3 M
- Sokoban M
- Gambling M
- Escape Room M
- Otome M
- Minigames M
- Dice M
- Romance T
- LGBTQ+ T
- Cats T
- 2D D
- Colorful D
- Pixel Graphics D
- Relaxing D
- Retro D
- Minimalist D
- Abstract D
- Short D
- Memes D
- Cozy D
- Philosophical D
- Wholesome D
- Parody D
Market median at effort 1 to 2, last 2 years: $120.
Effort 3
3 · small 2D action, light systems
sprites in motion, a few rules, one loop
- Arcade M
- Platformer M
- 2D Platformer M
- Multiple Endings M
- Roguelike M
- Roguelite M
- Puzzle Platformer M
- Bullet Hell M
- Score Attack M
- Shoot 'Em Up M
- Top-Down Shooter M
- Investigation M
- Precision Platformer M
- Time Management M
- Tower Defense M
- Deckbuilding M
- Perma Death M
- Runner M
- Inventory Management M
- Card Battler M
- Grid-Based Movement M
- Rhythm M
- Twin Stick Shooter M
- Auto Battler M
- Cooking M
- Mystery Dungeon M
- Roguelike Deckbuilder M
- Dynamic Narration M
- Shop Keeper M
- Bullet Heaven M
- Time Attack M
- Traditional Roguelike M
- Pinball M
- Billiards M
- Intentionally Awkward Controls M
- Lemmings M
- Bowling M
- Female Protagonist T
- Mystery T
- Psychological Horror T
- Nature T
- Psychological T
- Thriller T
- Detective T
- Artificial Intelligence T
- Noir T
- Science T
- Conspiracy T
- Dogs T
- Faith T
- Hacking T
- Animals T
- Based On A Novel T
- Birds T
- Atmospheric D
- Cute D
- Funny D
- Anime D
- Family Friendly D
- Stylized D
- Top-Down D
- Linear D
- Cartoony D
- Dark D
- Comedy D
- Hand-drawn D
- Side Scroller D
- Cartoon D
- Emotional D
- 1990's D
- Surreal D
- 1980s D
- Dialogue Heavy D
- Dark Humor D
- Psychedelic D
- Dark Comedy D
- Experimental D
- Satire D
- Narrative D
- Episodic D
- Silent Protagonist D
Effort 4
4 · mid 2D, writing-heavy, or simple 3D
a world to fill with content, or first steps in 3D
- Adventure M
- Exploration M
- Choices Matter M
- Action Roguelike M
- Resource Management M
- Procedural Generation M
- Walking Simulator M
- Turn-Based Combat M
- Local Multiplayer M
- Dungeon Crawler M
- Life Sim M
- Local Co-Op M
- Collectathon M
- Beat 'em up M
- 4 Player Local M
- Metroidvania M
- Farming Sim M
- Party Game M
- Trading M
- Quick-Time Events M
- Mining M
- Time Manipulation M
- FMV M
- Fishing M
- Hex Grid M
- Political Sim M
- Programming M
- Job Simulator M
- On-Rails Shooter M
- Archery M
- Music-Based Procedural Generation M
- Outbreak Sim M
- Medical Sim M
- Mini Golf M
- Boss Rush M
- Fantasy T
- Horror T
- Sci-fi T
- Magic T
- Medieval T
- Futuristic T
- Demons T
- Supernatural T
- Aliens T
- Modern T
- Dystopian T
- Capitalism T
- Music T
- Lovecraftian T
- Underground T
- Gothic T
- Time Travel T
- Snow T
- Villain Protagonist T
- Transhumanism T
- Farming T
- Werewolves T
- Story Rich D
- Difficult D
- 2.5D D
- Isometric D
- Lore-Rich D
- Nonlinear D
- Comic Book D
- Fast-Paced D
- Voxel D
- Party D
- Jump Scare D
Market median at effort 3 to 4, last 2 years: $480.
Effort 5
5 · real systems or entry 3D
economies, tactics, physics or a full 3D camera
- Action M
- Simulation M
- Strategy M
- Combat M
- Physics M
- Management M
- 3D Platformer M
- Building M
- Turn-Based Strategy M
- Turn-Based Tactics M
- Crafting M
- Hack and Slash M
- Base Building M
- Economy M
- Strategy RPG M
- Turn-Based M
- Loot M
- Tactical RPG M
- Wargame M
- Creature Collector M
- 2D Fighter M
- Level Editor M
- Split Screen M
- Bullet Time M
- 6DOF M
- Agriculture M
- God Game M
- Boomer Shooter M
- Tanks M
- Asynchronous Multiplayer M
- Transportation M
- Sailing M
- Boxing M
- Golf M
- Submarine M
- Tennis M
- Space T
- Dark Fantasy T
- Zombies T
- Post-apocalyptic T
- Historical T
- Cyberpunk T
- Robots T
- Mythology T
- Alternate History T
- Dragons T
- Underwater T
- Vampires T
- Pirates T
- Ninja T
- Steampunk T
- Western T
- Trains T
- Cold War T
- Mars T
- Rome T
- Spaceships T
- Wuxia T
- Vikings T
- Samurai T
- 3D D
- First-Person D
- Violent D
- Gore D
Effort 6
6 · full 3D single-player, physics sims, content-heavy RPG
months of content, animation, save systems
- RPG M
- Action-Adventure M
- Shooter M
- PvE M
- Survival M
- Character Customization M
- Sandbox M
- Tactical M
- Sports M
- Survival Horror M
- Racing M
- JRPG M
- Stealth M
- Arena Shooter M
- Real Time Tactics M
- Driving M
- City Builder M
- Flight M
- Party-Based RPG M
- Parkour M
- Automation M
- Destruction M
- Space Sim M
- Swordplay M
- Vehicular Combat M
- Colony Sim M
- Gun Customization M
- Combat Racing M
- Trading Card Game M
- Hunting M
- Real-Time M
- Diplomacy M
- Naval Combat M
- Sniper M
- Wrestling M
- Skateboarding M
- Cycling M
- Hockey M
- Skiing M
- Snowboarding M
- BMX M
- War T
- Military T
- Crime T
- World War II T
- Martial Arts T
- Mechs T
- Dinosaurs T
- Naval T
- Heist T
- Horses T
- World War I T
- Dwarves T
- Third Person D
- VR D
Market median at effort 5 to 6, last 2 years: $630.
Effort 7
7 · big single-player or serious online
large worlds, netcode, competitive balance
- FPS M
- Co-op M
- Action RPG M
- Third-Person Shooter M
- RTS M
- Souls-like M
- CRPG M
- Automobile Sim M
- 3D Fighter M
- Fighting M
- Grand Strategy M
- Class-Based M
- Spectacle fighter M
- Action RTS M
- Character Action Game M
- 4X M
- Football (Soccer) M
- Real-Time with Pause M
- Offroad M
- Motorbike M
- Basketball M
- Bikes M
- Social Deduction M
- Football (American) M
- Baseball M
- Motocross M
- Assassins T
- Superhero T
- Realistic D
- Cinematic D
Effort 8
8 · online systems, open world
servers, matchmaking, anti-cheat, streaming worlds
- PvP M
- Open World M
- Immersive Sim M
- Online Co-Op M
- Looter Shooter M
- Co-op Campaign M
- Extraction Shooter M
Market median at effort 7 to 8, last 2 years: $1.5k.
Effort 9 to 10
9 to 10 · studio only
live service, dozens of people, years
Market median at effort 9 to 10, last 2 years: $1.3k.
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