Some genres are pretty well covered, be it by classic RPGs (Cthulhu) or new arrivals (Iron Heroes).

What genres do you think aren't?

Maybe wilderness genre, such as Daniel Boone, Jack London, and stories of the RCMP.

Quote from: Elliot WilenMaybe wilderness genre, such as Daniel Boone, Jack London, and stories of the RCMP.

I wonder if Northern Crown would work for that?

It depends on if you mean good games or not.  Just about every genre is covered by crappy games, and some are covered by good games.

Are we just asking if ANY game covers ANY genre?  Because if that's the case: I can't think of any missing genres in RPGs.

Biopunk.

The genre hardly exists yet, but it's coming.

Quote from: beejazzBiopunk.

The genre hardly exists yet, but it's coming.

Wasn't Kromozone (sp) by TSR (I think) a bio punk game.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: beejazzBiopunk.

The genre hardly exists yet, but it's coming.

Splicers by Palladium is great example IMO.

Quote from: beejazzBiopunk.

The genre hardly exists yet, but it's coming.

It's not precisely what you're talking about, but TSR's old Buck Rogers XXVc game featured a very wide range of genetically engineered and enhanced humans and animals. Some of them were extremely bizarre.

Woah... two (edit:three). I'm actually surprised.
I'm fairly certain psychics have been done to death.
Sci fi that hinges on synthetics, then?

Colonial & Medieval & Ancient Trade.

Well, of the general film and novel genres, RPGs are very concentrated in fantasy, sci-fi (including cyberpunk) and horror.  

Mysteries, heists/crime stories, war stories, sports stories, drama, and romance are all pretty popular in films and/or films, but rare or completely absent in RPGs.

Quote from: McrowI wonder if Northern Crown would work for that?

Possibly, at least on some level, for the Daniel Boone stuff. Seargent Preston, White Fang, Silver King, etc., I'm guessing not.

Yes, a genuine "mystery" RPG has yet to be designed. I don't mean an investigative RPG in the style of CoC, but an RPG dealing with the genre of murder mysteries in the style of Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Marple, Hercule Poirot, etc.

RPGPundit

Quote from: jhkimMysteries, heists/crime stories, war stories

Not prominent but covered, I think. Actual mysteries are harder for the reasons you've discussed in your blog but the hardboiled Noir stuff is out there. Gangbusters for crime. War I think is pretty well covered for a minor genre--Recon, Godlike, and a number of GURPS books for example.

Quotesports stories, drama, and romance are all pretty popular in films and/or films, but rare or completely absent in RPGs.

I agree, and here the common thread is lack of violence. Sports are a funny category since they do have action, but if you look at sports movies they're rarely about how problems are solved through action. It's more like problems are solved and then the solution is portrayed metaphorically through the action. There are a lot of boardgames on sports, but those aren't at all about the filmic qualities; instead they get their excitement by emulating the real-life sport.

If we look at genres where violence and physical struggle aren't the main focus, and leave out games like Primetime Adventures or Universalis (because the genre isn't packaged in the game), I'd point to Chinese and Korean serial costume dramas, like Jewel in the Palace.

Quote from: beejazzBiopunk.

The genre hardly exists yet, but it's coming.

Transhuman Space is great for that genre. Just tone down the optimistic angle a bit.