Roguetype

Roguetype is a term used in game design discourse to refer to a subcategory of roguelike games in which the core focus is the production of distinct run identities or playstyles through procedural generation. The term combines rogue, from roguelike, with type, signaling that each run can be classified by its 'type' rather than solely by its outcomes. There is no formal consensus on the definition, and roguetype is not an official genre designation in most taxonomies.

Characteristics include an emphasis on procedural generation to yield varied run identities; a strong emphasis on permadeath with meta-progression centered around types rather than character preservation; modular itemization and ability systems that create emergent run archetypes; and replayability driven by a wide variety of run types rather than fixed progression.

Roguetype sits alongside traditional roguelike and roguelite taxonomies as a descriptive label. Some critics view it as overlapping with roguelite ideas of meta-progression but with a stronger focus on run identity, while others see it as a redundant or speculative categorization. The term is more common in design discussions and academic or indie critique than in formal genre catalogs.

Examples of roguetype are not universally codified, as the term itself is not widely standardized. In practice, games that emphasize varied run identities through procedural systems and modular progression are often discussed in roguetype-related discourse, even if they are not officially labeled as such by their developers.

Design considerations for roguetype include ensuring each run offers a distinct identity, providing a robust yet varied item or ability system, and encouraging players to explore multiple run types to maximize replayability. See also roguelike, roguelite, procedural generation, permadeath, run-based design.