GLOSSARY OF GAME TERMS

  • 2-D - images look like paper cut outs
  • 3-D - polygons are used to create 3 dimensional objects
  • AI - artificial intelligence, especially applied to the way a game controls characters
  • Arcade - simple games or a mode resembling those played in arcades
  • Avatar - an image that is used to represent the player in role-playing games and virtual worlds
  • Bosses - major enemy which has to be fought, generally occurring at the end of a leve
  • Bug - when software program doesn't do what it was supposed to do
  • Cheat code - code typed in at the beginning of, or during a game that gives the players some advantage or special result
  • Computer game - is a game specifically designed for the PC or Mac
  • Console - device designed primarily for playing videogames on a television
  • Controller - the hand held object that controls the game. Modifications can be made for disabled players
  • Cooperative play - play together to achieve a goal, as opposed to player vs. player
  • Cut scene - non-interactive scene (like a mini-movie) that moves the story along
  • Dance pad - a pad that is placed on the floor and relays foot pressure to cues on the screen.
  • Developer - the firm that makes the game
  • D-pad - directional pad - a cross-shaped button on the game machine or controller with up, down, left, right controls
  • Easter Eggs - hidden bonuses or art
  • EB games - the retail store that was originally Electronic Boutique
  • Edutainment - educational games
  • ESRB - the organization that rates computer and video games, Entertainment Software Rating Board
  • FPS - first person shooter
  • Fragged or Frag - to kill, from to fragment
  • Gameplay - the experience of playing the game
  • Griefers - Players in online games that spoil the game for you
  • Handheld system - portable system
  • High Def - TV resolution of 720 lines and higher
  • HUD - informational screen display, heads up display
  • IGDA - International Game Developers Association.
  • Indie - independent game developer or publisher
  • Isometric - 45 degree view looking down
  • Jewel box - clear plastic flat box for CD/DVD disks.
  • Joystick - controlling stick with four directions of motion
  • LAN - local area network
  • Leaderboard - bulletin board on the internet listing high scores and the players
  • Learning curve - how quickly a player can grasp the game play.
  • Levels - stages in a game with some new modifications of location, weapons, and with battles getting harder
  • Level-up - after winning a certain number battles you earn new strengths
  • Load time - the time it takes to load a game before you can play it
  • Manual - information booklet included in with the game
  • Mini-game - any small, self-contained game within a larger game
  • MMOG - Massively Multiplayer Online Game
  • MMORPG - Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game
  • Mobile - mobile phones, PDAs, portable media players and other portable devices
  • MUD - a text-based game played online, Multi-User Dungeon.
  • Multiplatform - games that will play on more than a single computer type or console type
  • Multiplayer - games that supports simultaneous play by more than one player
  • Newbie - inexperienced player.
  • Next-gen - newer machines, Sony PS3, Xbox 360, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii
  • NPC - non playing character, not controllable by the player, set to populate a scene.
  • Nunchuck - additional attachment for the Wii controller that includes an analog stick, required for some games
  • Patch - a downloadable software fix for a bug
  • Portable - hand held
  • Power-up - temporary power or new abilities for your character during game play
  • Practice mode - training portion in the beginning of some games
  • Producer - the firm that arranges for the game to be created and distributes the game
  • PSP - PlayStation Portable system. It uses a proprietary optical disc for game
  • PVP - player vs. player
  • Replayablility - replay value where the game is interesting enough to play it again.
  • Resolution - number of pixels contained in an image or screen, the higher the resolution the more details become visible
  • Respawns - the constant regeneration of enemies after being destroyed
  • Reticle - crosshairs for targeting purposes
  • Retro - a game which is 10 or more years old
  • RPG - Role Playing Game, where a player develops his character's skill and ability throughout the game
  • RTS - Real Time Strategy, when the game play is continuous rather that turn based.
  • Sandbox mode - game play where some constraints are released, such as not needing money to buy items
  • Serious games - games developed for training, health and social purposes
  • Side scrolling - moving left and right (sometimes up and down) in 2-D games
  • Single-player mode - player plays alone or against the computer
  • SKU - Stock Keeping Unit, the complete unit packaged for sale and the code number used by the stores to identify the item
  • Sprite - a 2-d image that can be redrawn on the screen giving the appearance of motion
  • Story mode - game play linked with a story
  • Strategy guides - books of tips, images, screenshots to guide the player though the game
  • Survival mode - player must fight for his/her life against a constant barrage of enemies
  • UMD - Universal Media Disc - Sony's proprietary storage format designed for the PSP
  • USB - Universal Serial Bus - standard for connecting peripherals to hardware
  • Vibration Rumble - controller vibrates when dangerous action takes place
  • Videogame - game that uses the television screen for display
  • Virtual worlds - on-line constructions of imaginary worlds in which people play roles
  • Walkthroughs - step-by-step instructions for playing through a game
  • Wi-Fi - wireless local area computer network (WLAN)
  • Wii remote - the stick that is the main controller for the Wii

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