I have a theory about why some people like certain genres over others: The first game with a definite genre that they ever played.

I have met people who played games for the first time (people who hadn't been gaming since age 5), and their first game was one of a series or genre that they continued to purchase and love ever since. People who started on Half Life like shooters, people who started on Tiberian Sun like RTSs, etc. These were not people who went out and bought these games, they just played them at a friend's house. I was just wondering if any other people tend toward this, or know anyone who does.

So, I started on Kirby and Arkista's Ring (Kind of like LOZ except arrows instead of lazers and level based), why do I like FPS and "horror" games?

Look at it this way, those who didn't play games all their life have yet to expand their horizons. Gaming libraries come with time.

Ummm... maybe, the first game i ever really got into was halo 2, and i still like fpses

I am a gamer of all genres, excluding 99% of racing games and ALL sports games *blah*. I have never been situated with one genre since I was always playing something different during my years of gaming. Although if I where to specify a genre it would have to be RPG's. Their stories where like books that you saw play before your very eyes, and I had lots of fun playing my final fantasies, zelda's, and dragon quest's. But I enjoyed playing everything from mega man, doom, smash bros, mario kart, to halo. people should always be trying out other genres and not the one they are most accustomed to, it adds some verity to your playing and you might just find a good game in a genre you may not like too much.

I started with Final Fantasy VIII and I have serious trouble playing JRPGs anymore. In fact, my favorite genre is FPS, which is as far away from JRPGs as you can get.

First game ever: Sonic the Hedgehog.
And while I love platformers, I also love FPS, RTS, Horror, RPG...

I really saw this coming, and should have been more elaborate in my initial statement. Anyhows, my theory has since been shattered by someone who was brought into gaming by the Metal Gear games, and proceeded to distance himself from them as quickly as possible, moving on to other games and expressing contempt for the MG's.

I have lost all hope in humanity.

Yeah, your first attempt is not always going to be your favorite genre. I can't remember what my first game was, but it wasn't an FPS. Now, I'm a big fan of TF2.

I remember playing on an old Atari 2600... But my favorite Genre is RTS. I KNOW they aren't related. I do like FPSs, too... But yeah, My first good gaming memories have nothing to do with my favorite genre now....

I dunno... I started with platformers and fighting games back in the good ol' days and didn't play anything else for years.
Now my favorite genres are RPG, FPS and RTS and any combination of these. But then again, I'll play anything if it looks good.

Mine was Soviet Strike... go on, laugh.

Yeh, I was hooked on DK, and I'm currently an avid FPS fan. Sorry, your theory holds no water.

I started with Pokemon, then it developed to platformers, RPG's, RTS's and the good old FPS genre.

My first game was Tetris. Now I play everything except sports and racing games (Unless there's a way to chunk the opposition) and I love them all. Your theory appears to be leaking. :P

I think i started with RTS and i still <3 them, but i do have a special place for FPS

I started with a couple of platformers and moved on to FPS' and RPS's.

Your idea makes sense as far as buying sequals goes but I don't think that the first game bought determines all games bought.

I reckon the theory does have basis though. I'd make the modification that the first game you really enjoy is likely to put a rose tint on that genre for you.

First game was Mario 64. I don't really know what kind of genre that is, like Adventure or something. It has linear gameplay with a character that doesn't undergo change.

I like FPS RTS and Melee games. With the occasional Mideval-based RPG for single player. I guess there are some game elements that have carried over: absence of character development, combat.

The first 'game' that really resonated with me was FF6, and I've been obsessed with RPG's ever since.

...Or maybe, if a genre really appeals to you, your more likely to play something that appeals to you the first time you play a game. Correlation does not equal causation.

Started off early with Pokémon, but now I like First Person Shooters (I have no idea what the plural of FPS is), Real Time Strategies and 3rd persons like Assassin's Creed and GTAIV.

dont remeber for sure which game was my first. i think it is mortal combat but there is a low chance it is duck hunt.... first game i owned and could play at my house was WC2+exp pack. and to this day i love RTS, i dont buy many and there havnt been many new release ones that blow the genre out of the water (bioshock, halo 2, 1/2 life). but if there is a rts in the store with a special feature i cant pass it up

The first game I ever played was Tetris (no, seriously), then Pokemon Gold. But I was...I don't know, 5, 6? I couldn't have even COMPREHENDED the games I played now. Let me specify: I am a HARDCORE WoW fan, story and all. Now, I can't find a single flaw with WoW, without the obviousness of the occasional grind, but honestly, saying an MMO is grindy these days is like saying a dog has bawls(yes I lifted that bawls bit from Ben's review, but half the sh_t on these threads is stolen). I have a 360, and play Halo 3, GeOW and CoD4. People who play WoW try to distance themselves from these games, but I embrace them. I'm like the America of gaming. I mean the 'Melting Pot'-thing, not the abortions and religion and racism and...oh, I've said enough already.

my first games were a series of Jane's flight sims for the PC, i was around 8.

then i got my hands on Quake, Rainbow Six and Delta Force.

Always on the look out for tactical shooters, twitch shooters, and something in-between.

I also did Mechwarrior and Freespace when they were big.

Damn shame those genres are dead.

I always sucked at more traditional games, like platformers and the like.