Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Produce a glossary of terms specific to the methods and principles of Video Game Design and Video Game Terms. Using a provided template, you must research and gather definitions specific to provided glossary terms. Any definitions must be referenced with the URL link of the website you have obtained the definition.

You must also, where possible, provide specific details of how researched definitions relate to your own production practice.

Name: Owen Green

RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched definition and URL link)

DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCHED TERM TO YOUR OWN PRODUCTION PRACTICE?

IMAGE SUPPORT (Provide an image and/or video link of said term being used in a game)

VIDEO GAMES / VIDEO GAME TESTING

Demo A version of something such as computer software produced to demonstrate its capabilities or for use as a trial http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/demo

This could be used to give the player a glimpse of what the games about.

This is a game about fifa (demo).

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Beta A beta test refers to the distribution of pre-release game software to a select group of people so that they can test the game in their own homes. http://www.techopedia.com/definition/27136/beta-test-gaming

This is relevant because it shows the developers what need to be added or removed.

This game was on the beta stage of development.Alpha A very early version of a software product that may

not contain all of the features that are planned for the final version. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/alpha_version.html

This stage is important because it shows the developer what needs to be done to the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ArfmVkQfs

This is a game on the alpha stage.

Pre-Alpha A development status given to a program or application that is usually not feature complete, and is not usually released to the public. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pre-alpha_version

This stage is important because the developers showcase an idea with feature before the alpha stage has begun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Agl81F-Q4YThis game is on a pre-alpha stage.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Gold A golden master, or GM, is the final version of a software program that is sent to manufacturing and is used to make retail copies of the software. http://www.techterms.com/definition/goldenmaster

This stage shows how the games can be put into production.

Unboxing of GTA 5

Debug In computers, debugging is the process of locating and fixing or bypassing bugs (errors) in computer program code or the engineering of a hardware device. http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/debugging

This is important to sort out all the quirks in the game.

This is a game being debugged.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Automation

The technique, method, or system of operating or controlling aprocess by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/automation

This is good because it allows the user to do other things more easily.

This is a game that has been automated.

White-Box Testing

Also known as glass box, structural, clear box and open box testing. A software testing technique whereby explicit knowledge of the internal workings of the item being tested are used to select the test data. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/White_Box_Testing.html

This is good because we need to test what system it will be used on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bJcvBLJViQ

This is an explanation of white game testing.

Bug The dark side of Good Bad Bugs (though not necessarily mutually exclusive) and a Griefer's favourite variety, Game Breaking Bugs are severe bugs that cripple your ability to play the game involved. They’re almost as old as gaming itself. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GameBreakingBug

This is an important thing as the less bugs the better the game can work properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmo9m2z574

This is a game that has a bug.

GAME ENGINES

Vertex Shader

A programmable function in display adapters that offers a graphics application programmer flexibility in rendering an image. The vertex shader is used to transform the attributes of vertices (points of a triangle) such as colour, texture, position and direction from the original colour space to the display space. It allows the original objects to be distorted or

This technique can be used to model faces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbw4DQnzOkI

This is a program that uses vertex shader.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

GAME ENGINES

reshaped in any manner. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/53754/vertex-shader

Pixel Shader

A programmable function in display adapters that offers a graphics application programmer flexibility in rendering an image. The vertex shader is used to transform the attributes of vertices (points of a triangle) such as colour, texture, position and direction from the original colour space to the display space. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Pixel+shader

Pixel shader is a tool that can transform the attributes of; point of a triangle for example. This is helpful because we can model the distinct places etc in the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL8T7uw7ERE

This is a game that uses pixel shader.

Post Processing

Generally a post process is something that happens after something else. In the context of computer graphics it can refer to a technique used to change how a rendered frame looks by taking a frames colour data and manipulating it with pixel and vertex shaders before presenting it to the viewer. https://code.google.com/p/open-sauce/wiki/Doc_Halo1_PostprocessingFull

Post processing is used by companies to render the pages. Post processing is done after the game has been processed.

This is a game that has been from before to after processing.

Rendering

Rendering is the process of generating an image from a 2D or 3D model (or models in what collectively could be called a scene file), by means of computer programs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendering_(computer_graphics)

Rendering is a useful object that can allow the company to transfer 2d data and convert it into 3d data.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00gAbgBu8R4

This is a game that is being rendered.

Normal Map

In 3D computer graphics, normal mapping, or "Dot3 bump mapping", is a technique used for faking the lighting of bumps and dents. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping

This can be useful for companies as they can change the atmosphere in the game etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1jboM70QRs

This is about a game having to have a normal map.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Entity Entity Systems offer an approach to object design that fits well with games, where requirements and behaviours need to be tweaked or swapped out constantly. http://shaun.boyblack.co.za/blog/2012/08/04/games-and-entity-systems/

This can be good because the developers can display different emotions for the character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FWULdNHqJE

This is about putting an entity on to a character.

UV Map UV mapping is the process of applying a texture to an object.http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/Legacy:Lightwave/UV_Mapping

This feature allows the company to add realistic features onto the game, via; environment, character and etc.

This is a character with a uv map.Procedural Texture

A procedural texture is a computer-generated image created using an algorithm intended to create a realistic representation of natural elements such as wood, marble, granite, metal, stone, and others. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_texture

Companies use this to envelop the gamer into the gaming world.

This is an example of procedural texture

Physics A physics engine is a program that contains information on physics and is used for many different digital purposes. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-physics-engine.htm

The physics engine is a great tool for developers to use as it allows the company to allow what sort of physics the game would take

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joyHyeJq_ho

This is an example of real life physics being used in video games.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

whether it is realistic or other.Collision Collision detection typically refers to the

computational problem of detecting the intersection of two or more objects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collision_detection

Collision is a tool that allows the developers to make the protagonist engaged in combat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RML4VB9WIbk

This is an example of trying to have real crash detection.

Lighting  Lights in your scene that are used to illuminate the objects in your scene. http://3dgep.com/texturing-and-lighting-in-opengl/

Lighting is a tool developers like to use to navigate the player to an object or light up an area inside the environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIG2qM476vc

This is an example of what the lighting can do to a game.

AA – Anti-Aliasing

Antialiasing is a process whereby the jagged edges of a graphic can be smoothered to give a more pleasing and realistic appearance. http://relativity.net.au/gaming/java/Antialiasing.html

Developers use this to smooth the game to the requirements necessary for player enjoyment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5-e6ENQ2P8

This shows how anti aliasing helps in a game.

LoD – Level of Detail

In computer graphics, accounting for level of detail involves decreasing the complexity of a 3D object representation as it moves away from the viewer or according to other metrics such as object importance, viewpoint-relative speed or position. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_of_detail

Developers use this to simplify a 3d object representation.

This shows the level of detail in a game.Animation

The technique of photographing successive drawings or positions of puppets or models to create an illusion of movement when the film is shown as a sequence. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/animation

Animation is used by developers to give the characters some movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d83-T-bG2Ck

This shows the basics of animation.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Sprite In computer graphics, a sprite (also known by other names; see Synonyms below) is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene. Initially including just graphical objects handled separately from the memory bitmap of a video display. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(computer_graphics)

Sprite is an important feature as it allows the developer to put up images or background so that the gamer will be enveloped into the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHeyqYhzPiU

This is a an example of what the sprite does to a game.

Scene A cut scene or event scene (sometimes in-game cinematic or in-game movie) is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutscene

This is used to generate a story so that the gamer can immerse into the game more fluently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMFIaxrINVU

\this shows how to edit a scene.

Library A library is an organized collection of sources of information and similar resources. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library

This can be used to feature concept art etc.

This shows a collection of data for a game.

UI In information technology, the user interface (UI) is everything designed into an information device with which a human being may interact. http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/user-interface

This is useful as it allows the gamer to talk to the UI for help on what to do etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJ7OZG8VFo

An example of a user interface.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Frames A single step in a sequence of programmed instructions. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/frame

Frames are important as it allows the game to become smoother.

An example of how many frames someone may need for a good game for example.

Concept A general idea derived or inferred from specific instances or occurrences. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/concept

This is where developers can look forwhat the game is about and its features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmMXXC_TdU0This is a game in a concept stage.

Event Something that occurs in a certain place during a particular interval of time. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/event

Events are a great way to make a player invested into the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W912banDtEA

This is an example of the events that occur in a game.

Pathfinding

A person who goes ahead and discovers or shows others a path or way http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/pathfinder

This is where developers try to steer the player into a linear story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJSz5c4VGk

This is an example of how to use pathfinder in a software.

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