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: Joshua Ridett

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 demonstration of a product or technique.https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"oq=definition%3A+demo HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7 HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"sourceid=chrome HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition

When a game I am making nears completion I may desire for it to be tested or shown to the public. A demo of the game would be the easiest way to accomplish this.

%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"es_sm=93 HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=definition%3A+demo&oq=definition%3A+demo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.11208j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8"ie=UTF-8

Beta Beta is usually a trial version of a game for a company. Betas are usually experimental and often have problems w/ them.https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081019143302AAIBseY

After an alpha test I may want a larger volume of people to test a more complete, more stable game. When the game reaches a near complete stable build I may want to do a beta test. A beta test would have people playing through the game and seeing if there are any minor bugs that need addressing before the complete launch. It would also be a good way to see how the public react to the game and how they feel about where it stands.

Alpha The alpha phase of the release life cycle is the first phase to begin software testing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Alpha

An alpha is the first point at which I would either release the game then continue updating it, or invite people to perform an alpha test to see what needs changing (if anything) and if there are any obvious bugs

http://wccftech.com/leaked-destiny-alpha-gameplay-appears-internet/Article link

Pre-Alpha Pre-alpha refers to all activities performed during the software project before testing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle#Pre-alpha

Pre-Alpha is when an Alpha Build hasnt been established in a game's build.

http://kotaku.com/http-www-youtube-com-watch-v-dzmqr-pcbocpre-alpha-gam-1540267288Article & Video link

Gold A game has "Gone Gold" when the final master copy has been produced at the developer and sent off for replication, packaging and shipment.http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Gone%20Gold

When my game has been completed it can be announced as having "Gone Gold"

Debug Identify and remove errors from computer hardware or software.http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/debug

If the software that my game utilizes stops working for some reason, a debug program will be needed to fix the problem.

Automation The technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automaticallyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automation

Im not sure how automation works within a game, my research turned up no relevant results.

White-Box Testing White-box testing is verification technique A game may be wanted to pass through a

software engineers can use to examine if their code works as expected.http://agile.csc.ncsu.edu/SEMaterials/WhiteBox.pdf

white-box test to see if the code functions as it is meant to before more progress is made.

Bug A bug, also referred to as a software bug, is an error or flaw in a computer program that may prevent it from working correctly or produces an incorrect or unintended result.http://www.metaboli.co.uk/gaming- HYPERLINK "http://www.metaboli.co.uk/gaming-dictionary/defnition-of-bug.htm"dictionary/defnition-of-bug.htm

In the early stages of my game there will be bugs that must be dealt with. Some bugs will be easy to identify whilst others will be more subtle.

http://culturedvultures.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ikfmGW73AeBn0.gif

GAME ENGINES

GAME ENGINES

Vertex Shader A programmable function in display adapters that offers a graphics application programmer with flexibility in rendering an image.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Vertex+shading

Vertex shading is a realistic shading style that may be a applied to a game using a photo realistic art style or a game that adopts a realistic play style or setting.

Pixel Shader Pixel shading executes various functions affecting how pixels on a computer screen will displayhttp://www.ehow.com/info_8764308_pixel-shading.html

Pixel shading is simple and may be better for a developer’s first game due to its simplicity.

Post Processing Usually encompasses bloom, blur, and depth-of-field.http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/991142-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning/61749545

Post processing may be beneficial for 2.5/3D shooters since they add a realistic battle quality to a game.

Rendering In 3-D graphic design, rendering is the process of add shading, colour and lamination to a 2-D or 3-D wireframe in order to create life-like images on a screen.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/rendering

A game may utilize rendering if there is a lot of 3D resources to create.

Normal Map These RGB values translates to x, y, and z coordinates, allowing a 2D image to represent depth.http://gamedevelopment.tutsplus.com/articles/gamedev-glossary-what-is-a-normal-map--gamedev-3893

Normal mapping could add a higher level of quality to a 2D game.

Entity A dynamic object such as a non-player character or item.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity

I will need entities in my game to make it interesting and enjoyable.

UV Map UV mapping is the 3D modelling process of making a 2D image representation of a 3D model's surface.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping

UV mapping is a good way to analyze a model's texture before it gets wrapped to its 3D body.

Procedural Texture A procedural texture is a computer-generated image created using an algorithm intended to create a realistic

A procedural texture will make it easier to give a detailed look to something that doesnt need alot of attention, like grass

representation of natural elements such as wood, marble, granite, metal, stone, and others.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_texture

of pavements

Physics Computer animation physics or game physics involves the introduction of the laws of physics into a simulation or game engine.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_physics

Physics make games more realistic, showing how the acts the player performs in-game would impact in a real world scenario

Collision Collision detection is used to detect the contact of objects within a game.http://relativity.net.au/gaming/java/SimpleCollisionDetection.html

Good collision detection will make a game more realistic and fun to play.

Lighting The rendering of computer graphics scenes use lighting.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_rendering

Lighting would add a deep sense of immersion and realism to a game, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for a player.

AA – Anti-Aliasing Antialiasing is a way of smoothing edges.http://compreviews.about.com/od/PC-Gaming/a/What-is-antialiasing-in-PC-games.htm

Anti-aliasing is a good way to make parts of a game look more realistic if they were made with a low amount of pixels.

LoD – Level of Detail Level of detail is a general design term for video game landscapes in which closer objects are rendered with more polygons than objects that are farther away.http://www.techopedia.com/definition/11791/level-of-detail-lod

LOD in a game will make it easier to render large areas with high polygon counts because it wont all render at the highest polygon count which might result in a drop in frame rate.

Animation Art and animation in video games refers to how things physically look.http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/413/game_art_and_animation_an_introduction.php

Animation is key to games because it is what the game looks like.

Sprite In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(computer_graphics)

Sprites are important for 2D games because they represent characters or things for the player to interact with.

Scene A division of an act presenting continuous action in one place.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene

Multiple scenes make up a collection of actions and happenings that are essential for a player to see what is happening in a game.

Library A library is a useful framework to tackle a specific need within a game engine.http://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questi HYPERLINK "http://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/10770/whats-the-difference-between-a-library-and-an-engine"ons/10770/whats-the-difference-between-a-library-and-an-engine

A library will make creating certain things within a game easier that if there wasnt a library.

UI The point at which a user or a user A UI makes things like ammunition or

department or organization interacts with a computer system.http://www.answers.com/topic/user-interface

health possible to track for the player whilst they play.

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

A multitude of frames make up an event in coding that makes things happen in the game.

Concept An idea or invention to help sell or publicize a commodity.https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA"ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA#q=Define%3A+concept

Concepts are the first step of creating a game. Someone has an idea which slowly becomes a collection of ideas, which are also known as concepts. A concept can range from a drawing of something someone thought up or a line of dialogue written on a piece of scrap paper.

Event A thing that happens or takes place, especially one of importance.https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA"& HYPERLINK "https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA"ei=Kr4FVOLjJ_HH8genvIHABA#q=Define%3A+event

Events are important for games because it takes a chunk of gameplay that would otherwise be the same and changes something about it to make it more exciting.

Pathfinding Pathfinding in the context of video games concerns the way in which a moving entity finds a path around an obstaclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding#In_video_games

Pathfinding is a piece of coding that dictates where an NPC may walk around. Strings of pathfinding make it possivle for NPCs to walk long or short distances.