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Particles in games are typically not considered volumetric objects because they are fundamentally different in terms of how they are represented and utilized within a game engine. Particles are often implemented as 2D sprites or simple geometries that give the illusion of volume, but they do not possess depth in the way that true volumetric objects do.

Volumetric objects are defined by their three-dimensional properties and typically have a measurable volume, such as meshes or solid geometric shapes which interact with the physics engine in a way that takes their spatial presence into account.

Particles, on the other hand, are generally used to simulate effects like smoke, fire, or rain and are represented using a large number of small, lightweight instances that may play a visual role but don't have a defined volume impacting gameplay mechanics or physics calculations. This distinction is crucial in game design, as it influences how developers optimize performance and visual effects in their games.

In summary, particles act more like visual effects rather than objects with physical volume, which is why they do not fall under the category of volumetric objects in the context of game development.