Molyneux has consistently strived to create new genres and push the boundaries of existing ones, as seen in "Populous" (god game), "Syndicate" (cyberpunk strategy), and "Theme Park" (management simulation).

The concept of player choice and its impact on the game world has been a central theme in Molyneux's design, particularly evident in the "Fable" series. He aimed to create worlds where player actions had meaningful and visible consequences.

Molyneux has been fascinated by the idea of emergent gameplay, where complex and unpredictable outcomes arise from simple rules and player interactions. This is a key element of his god games and experimental titles like "Curiosity".

Many of Molyneux's games explore morally ambiguous choices and challenge players to consider the consequences of their actions. He often presents players with dilemmas that lack clear-cut right or wrong answers.

A consistent focus on advanced AI and realistic simulations has driven much of Molyneux's work, from the creatures in "Black & White" to the complex systems in "Godus".