Video Game Metadata Schema: Controlled Vocabulary THEME
Abduction
The state or experience of one's life being threatened after forcefully being taken away against one's will.
Adult
Dealing in or with explicitly sexual material.
Agriculture
Relating to caring for or harvesting animals and crops.
Airplane
A winged-vehicle that is used to travel the skies, as opposed to a helicopter.
Aircraft
Alienation
The state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved.
Dead Space
Ecco the Dolphin
Abandonment
Isolation
Aliens
Extraterrestrial beings that live on other planets throughout the solar system.
Alter-egos
A second self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. Often used as a disguise.
Muramasu
Prince of Persia: The 2 Thrones
Angels
A spiritual, celestial being that does good in the name of God; they are often benevolent in nature.
Animals
Different species on earth that humans must coexist with.
Anti-war
The mentality used to describe activists who are against war and all the trauma and destruction it brings.
Apocalypse
The end of the world, in which humanity or inhabitants of some world is in total disarray over the destruction of their home.
Post Apocalypse
Aquatic Life
Of or relating to any beings that predominantly live and operate underwater.
Fish
Whale
Architecture
Relating to the design and construction of buildings.
Art
Relating to visually creative works.
Assassins
Individuals who are skilled in the elimination of other people.
Babies
The smallest, youngest form of human beings possible; they require the utmost care and supervision.
Baking
The act of creating baked goods like bread for consumption, primarily using an oven.
Baseball
A game played on a large field between two teams, involving the use of bats, mitts, and a baseball.
Basketball
A game played on a court with two hoops; the main objective of the game is to score the most points by shooting a basketball through the proper hoop.
Betrayal
The breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals, between organizations or between individuals and organizations.
Asura's Wrath
Fable
Bicycles
A two-wheeled vehicle that operates solely on manpower, in which its riders must pedal their way to their destination.
Bicycling
A competition that involves riding one’s bike through a set course the quickest.
Billiards
A game that involves the use of a pool table, pool cues, a cue ball, and billiard balls; the object of the game is to sink the billiard balls into the pool table pockets in a predefined manner.
Pool
Biography
The story of one’s life, as told through the eyes of someone else.
Birds
A flying animal that often chirps, building nests in trees as their homes.
Boats and Ships
A vehicle that is used to travel on water.
Watercraft
Bowling
A game that relies on the use of bowling balls and bowling pins; the object of the game is to gain the highest score possible by knocking down the most pins in the least amount of tries possible.
Boxing
The sport centered on fighting others in a regulated, organized manner; it is often in a boxing ring, using boxing gloves and appropriate safety gear.
Bugs
Small insects that creep or crawl, and are often found residing in or around plants.
Business
Relating to buying and selling of goods.
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
Tropico
Capitalism (series)
Railroad Tycoon
Cars and Trucks
A (usually) four-wheeled vehicle that operates on gasoline.
Cats
A (typically) four-legged animal that meows and purrs; they are usually small in size, low maintenance, and of the same family as lions, tigers, etc.
Children
Young human beings that are older than babies, and have an abundance of energy to run and play all day.
Christianity
The branch of religion that worships Jesus Christ and his teachings.
City-building
The construction of a city.
Civilization
The process by which a society or place reaches various stages of social development and organization beyond hunter-gatherer society.
Farmville
Civilization (Game)
Spore
Creation
Combat
Of or relating to fighting physically with one another.
Companionship
A feeling of fellowship or friendship.
Nintendogs
Friendship
Loyalty
Competition
The act or process of trying to get or win something (such as a prize or a higher level of success) that someone else is also trying to get or win : the act or process of competing.
Burnout Paradise
MarioKart
Computers and Network
Of or relating to computers and the networks in which they operate.
Conquest
The act of gaining control of (a problem or difficulty) through great effort.
Command & Conquer
Pokemon Conquest
Conservation
The act of maintaining and bettering the world by caring for the environment; this includes reducing waste, reusing or recycling materials, and looking out for animal habitats.
Conspiracy
Of or relating to the belief that an event was orchestrated by a powerful group of people in secret.
Construction
The act or process of assembling items into a coherent structure (e.g., house).
Building
Cooking
The act of preparing foods for consumption, often involving the use of a stove or oven as a heat source.
Corruption
Impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle, especially of those in power.
Mafia II
Greed
Innocence
Cowboys and Cowgirls
Individuals who care for cows or horses, often appearing in Western settings.
Crafting
The process of creating useful items.
Cricket
A game played with a ball and bat by two sides of usually 11 players each on a large field centering upon two wickets each defended by a batsman.
Crime
Actions that are deemed injurious to the public welfare or to the interests of the state.
Grand Theft Auto
Sleeping Dogs
Curling
A game in which two teams of four players slide special stones over ice toward a circle.
Dance
A sport or activity that involves the graceful movement on one’s body in time to music.
Dating
The process of getting to know and assessing one’s romantic interest.
Death
Of or relating to the loss of a life, and the ability of those around them to cope with never seeing them again.
Demolition
The approved, deliberate destruction of a building or other structure.
Demons
An evil spirit that often seeks to cause harm, distress, or ruin.
Design
The subject matter that belongs to the creation of aesthetically pleasing graphics.
Destruction
The widespread damage of a particular place or thing.
Detective
An individual who solves crimes.
Dinosaurs
The large variety of reptiles that lived upon this earth millions of years ago e.g., triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Diplomacy
Of or relating to peaceful negotiations with other parties.
Dogs
A (typically) four-legged animal that barks, and has the title of “man’s best friend.”
Dragons
The Mythical winged beast, often reptilian in appearance, that can fly and breathe fire.
Drug
An illegal and often harmful substance that people take for pleasure.
Dystopia
A society in which social or technological trends have culminated in a greatly diminished quality of life or degradation of values.
Bioshock
Crysis 3
Economy
The process or system by which goods and services are produced, sold, and bought in a country or region.
Education
The formal field that dictates how obtaining institutionalized knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.
Espionage
Of or relating to acts of spying, often between different countries.
Spy
Evolution
The process by which living things have adapted to changes in their surroundings over time, often by altering their genetic makeup.
Exploration
The discovery of new places.
Fairies
A mythological being, often small in stature, with magical powers.
Faith
Something that is believed with strong conviction, despite an absence of evidence.
El Shaddai
Religion
Family
A group of individuals (parents, siblings, etc.) who are related to each other, often (but not necessarily) by blood; these individuals have strong feelings of compassionate love and care for one another.
Siblings
Farm Animals
Animals that have been domesticated for the use of farming; humans may also seek companionship from these animals, but they often do not live in the same shelter a humans.
Farming
The act of raising animals or preparing or harvesting crops.
Fashion and Beauty
Relating to the industry centered on clothing and outward appearances.
Fate
The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.
Threads of Fate
Fencing
A sport centered on the use of swords and graceful swordplay.
Fighting
Of or relating to physical altercations with another individual.
Fishing
The sport or activity centered on being able to catch fish using a net or fishing pole.
Flying
The act of being able to soar throughout the skies, getting from one destination to another.
Flight
Football
An organized sport played between two teams on a large field, involving the use of a football.
Freedom
The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Gangs
A group of individuals that band together under leadership and/or similar ideals, often for the purpose of crime.
Ghosts
The supernatural form of one’s spirit after their passing from the mortal world.
Gladiators
Warriors from Roman times that fought in the Coliseum for sport.
Gods
"Perfect” beings, whether religious or mythical, that are worshipped by normal humans for their power over human life and experiences
Golf
A game in which individuals hit golf balls towards golf holes; the goal of the game is to do so in as few hits as possible.
Growth
The attainment of prominence, respectability, recognition, or maturity; usually a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood.
Fable
The Last of Us
Coming-of-age
Maturity
Hacking
Of or relating to the act of circumventing security measures in computerized systems for personal gain or social activism.
Health
Relating to the maintenance of one’s body in peak physical condition.
Exercise
Fitness
Heist
An organized crime where criminals have a sophisticated plan to steal valuable items e.g., money, jewelry, or famous works of art.
Hockey
A game that takes place in an ice rink where players must skate on ice and score as many goals as possible with a hockey puck using a hockey stick.
Holiday
The celebration of an event that is common between a large group of people, e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.
Honor
Respect that is given to someone who is admired: good reputation: good quality or character as judged by other people: high moral standards of behavior.
Disgaa
Fallout 3
Duty
Patriotism
Reputation
Truth
Horses
A large, four-legged animal that neighs and whinnies; before cars, humans often rode atop this animal with a saddle or hitched them up to a wagon.
Hunting
The activity of killing animals for sport, often in a regulated manner.
Identity
The distinguishing characteristics or personality of an individual.
Remember Me
Individual versus Society
Illuminati
The secret organization/society dedicated to the opposition of religious influences over the public, as well as the abuse of state power.
Justice
The quality of being just, impartial, or fair; : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action.
Injustice
Phoenix Wright
Knights
Individuals who swear their allegiance to and protect royalty.
Knowledge
Facts information and skills acquired from a person through experience.
Brain Age
LGBT
An initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. Used as an umbrella term for non-normative gender identities and sexualities.
Mass Effect
Dragonage
Bisexuality
Gay
Lesbian
Love
A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person.
Braid
Year Walk
Romance
Mafia
Organized crime syndicates often characterized by Italian individuals and underground crime rings.
Magic
Of or relating to mystical practices, involving things like spells and potions.
Magicians
Individuals who practice magic or illusions.
Management
The delegation of work among people, or the ability to prioritize tasks and carry them out to completion.
Martial arts
A type of combative art form with roots historically Asian roots.
Mercenary
An individual hired to fight; their only allegiance is to those who pay them the most money.
Military
A nation’s army and chief defense against other nations.
Soldiers
Navy
Airforce
Mining
The process or business of digging in mines to obtain minerals, metals, jewels, etc.
Monsters
An imaginary creature often depicted as scary and fiercely abnormal.
Motorcycles
A (usually) two-wheeled vehicle that operates on gasoline; those who ride motorcycles must wear helmets.
Murder
The crime in which one individual kills another in a premeditated manner.
Music
Relating to the creation of creative auditory works.
Mystery
Something not understood or beyond understanding.
Eternal Darkness
Mythology
Relating to the study of myths and mythical beings like gods and goddesses.
Ninja
Skilled individuals, often Japanese, that fight and operate on the basis of silence and efficiency.
Occult
Of or relating to the belief in the supernatural.
Witchcraft
Curse
Pandemic
The occurrence of a disease spreading rapidly between individuals across geographic and national boundaries.
Paranormal
Not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena.
Supernatural
Pets
Animals that have been domesticated and can be kept in one’s home, often for companionship.
Pirates
Those who sail the Seven Seas, often for the purpose of seeking treasure or capturing other ships.
Plants
Something that grows out from soil, often starting as a seed and maturing into a different living thing like a flower.
Politics
Activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government; : a person's political thoughts and opinions.
Tropico
Power
The ability or right to control people or things; : political control of a country or area: a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations.
Bioshock: Infinite
Civilization
Pride
Prophecy
A supernatural prediction about the future.
Odin Sphere
Year Walk
Puppets
A doll that is moved by putting your hand inside it or by pulling strings or wires that are attached to it.
Racing
A competition centered on who can travel through a set course the quickest.
Redemption
The act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity).
Dante's Inferno
Forgiveness
Revenge
The action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Robots
Mechanized beings that were created by humans.
Mechs
Rollercoaster
An amusement park ride characterized by quick speeds, abnormal heights, and the adrenaline/thrill it offers to its passengers.
Royalty
Those who belong or marry into a royal bloodline, such as kings, queens, princes, princesses.
Princess
Prince
Rugby
A game played by two teams in which each team tries to carry or kick a ball over the other team’s goal line.
Sacrifice
The selfless act in which one person gives up something of value to them for the sake of another.
Sailing
The sport of activity of traveling on water in a sailboat.
Samurai
Noble Japanese warriors that fight in the name of honor and duty.
Science
Relating to the study of the natural world.
Simulation
A computerized imitation of real-world practices or occurrences.
Skateboarding
A sport or activity centered on the use of skateboards and doing tricks.
Skiing
A sport that involves the use of ski poles and ski boards to race down a snowy mountainside.
Slavery
The concept in which one person is legally owned by another and forced to do their bidding without any form of reimbursement.
Snowboarding
A sport that involves the use of snowboards to race down a snowy mountainside.
Soccer
A game played on a large field involving the use of a soccer ball and trying to score as many goals as possible.
Space
Of or relating to the solar system, and the infinite universes beyond and within it.
Astronomy
Sports
An organized activity that involves multiple teams or individuals competing against each other.
Submarines
A vehicle that is used to travel underwater.
Superheroes
Extraordinary individuals with unique power who dedicate their powers to fighting evil and doing good in the world; they often have powers or abilities that normal people do not e.g., super strength, speed, flight, etc.
Surfing
A sport or activity centered on the use of a surfboard, in which individuals ride atop waves.
Survival
The state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances.
Canabalt
The Last of Us
Swimming
The competitive sport that involves racing against others in a swimming pool to see who can swim the fastest.
Swordplay
The skilled form of combat centered on the use of swords.
Table tennis
Also known as ping pong, table tennis is a game played using a table divided with a low net, paddles, and a ping pong ball.
Ping-pong
Tanks
A weaponized vehicle with a thick shell of armor, often used in wars.
Tennis
A game that takes place on a court separated by a low net, involving the use of tennis balls and tennis rackets.
Time Travel
The concept in which one may move through different points in time—past or future—and experience what life is like at that moment.
Trading
The act of swapping items with an individual in exchange for different items.
Trains
A mode of transportation that involves the use of railroads and railcars.
Travel
The act of going on a trip or journey away from one’s home, often to a neighboring state or country.
Vampires
An inhuman, supernatural being that often resembles humans; the chief difference is that their chief source of sustenance is blood.
Violence
Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
God of War
Savagery
Combat
Volleyball
A game played with a volleyball on a large court, separated by a high net.
War
A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.
Call of Duty IV
Warriors
Individuals who fight or engage in combat.
Wealth
An abundance of valuable possessions or money.
Financial gain
The Patrician
Port Royale (Series)
Weapons
Items whose chief purpose is to inflict harm on others.
Wild Animals
Animals that have not been domesticated, and must be approached with caution.
Work
The Office
Office Riot
Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose, result, or most often monetary gain.
Wrestling
A type of combative sport in which players must pin down others for a set period of time.
Yakuza
The Japanese form of the mafia/gangs.
Zombies
The reanimated corpse of a dead person, often depicted as rotting and wanting nothing more than to eat those that are alive.
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