and rpg is potentially the least useful term of all. Technically you play a role in the Mario and sonic games.
Well no, I disagree.
Roleplaying is gameplay. If roleplaying your character or collaborative storytelling - deciding his actions, viewpoints, what kind of character he is isnt' a central mechanic then it is not an RPG. Controlling is not the same as roleplaying. Being immersed isn't the same as roleplaying. And while commondly used using RPG for a game with vertical progression or minor customisation is just misusing the term IMO - or rather a shortcut. Those are games with some individual elements commonly found in an RPG.
If you think about it, shooters or third person shooters or first person shooters only really tell you that the game contains a specific game mechanic/approach.
Again I disagree - they tell you about the primary gameplay loop. Once enough games come out with common characteristics then sub-genre are created - Modern Military Shooters, Boomer Shooters, Hero Shooters, Looter Shooters etc.
On the other hand games like Dishonored or Deus Ex aren't first person shooters, as they are not a primary gameplay loop.
There are some games that will be blurring the lines, but overall genre name works. As to genres refering to specific names - they will change once the genre evolves being just taking inspirations.
