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: Terence Byrne

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 game demo is a basic demonstration of the game used, to support and advertise it. A demo also indicates how the game works, what it’s like, and why people should get it. It’s a basic expedition for the gamer to participate in.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/demo

A game demo is used as a type of feature for gamers to play to see if they like the game or not. This is also useful for game developers as from the demo they can see what needs to be changed if needed. From using a game demo myself for Minecraft, I found it useful as I learnt the controls of the game and later decided to buy it.

http://i47.tinypic.com/291f0cy.pnghere is an image of the minecraft demo loading screen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYL21nZC4wEThis is a video of minecraft being played as a demo.

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

Beta Beta is a trial version from a games company, in order to give gamers a trial with the game. The Beta (game) is usually incomplete with bugs; but this is a test to see where the creators are up to and what they need to improve throughout the gamehttps://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081019143302AAIBseY

This is basically a trial sent out by the game developers to get results back from the public. Even though the game is incomplete and often full of bugs, the game developers get and understanding as well as the public of how the game is. From using Beta’s I found that they were useful, as it gave me a choice whether to get the game later on or not.

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2013/Pre-orders/d20130912-001_Amazon_LeftBB_FINAL._V356040032_.jpg

This is an image of a recent game brought out on Beta called destiny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uMc5hZxZ6EThis is a video of the game destiny being played through beta

Alpha Alpha in the games industry is where a test is performed by the game programmers themselves to simply ensure them that the game is getting better and progress is being made.https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?

This makes it clear to games designers when it comes to improvements and unwanted errors in games. From an alpha test, they can view bad aspects of the incomplete game and where they to work on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC0Rs_ARfMMThis is a video on a game called Tug being played through alpha.

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

qid=20110119184650AAfwy7x

https://xaben.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2014-04-01_00009-ps-1024-web.jpg?2fea49

This is an image of the gameplay from the game Tug whilst in alpha

Pre-Alpha A development status given to a program or game that is usually not feature complete. In addition this is usually not released to the public. Also developers are usually still deciding on what features the game should have and if anything needs to be improved.http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pre-alpha_version

Through pre alpha, game developers have the chance to decide on what other features to add or to improve. Pre alpha however is not released to the public as it’s just for developers to add final development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJrZkNVwNTsThis is a video based on the early access pre alpha game released called Next Car Game. This was played as a test for game developers to see if any changes needed to be made to the game, and to check for any faults.

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

https://www.teamvvv.com/assets/js/ckeditor/kcfinder/upload/images/NCG-Screenshot-2014-01-03-06.jpgThis is an image from the game Next Car Game being played whilst on pre alpha

Gold “Gone gold” is when the final master copy of a game has been produced at the developer and sent off for replication, packaging and shipment. This means in about 2 to 3 weeks, the game will be for sale.http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Gone%20Gold

A game which has gone gold is ready to be shipped and sold as the game is now complete. This means the game can now officially go on sale and the creators can make money for their sales.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNwh-dNj4VwThis is a advertisement video of the game Sniper Ghost warrior as the game went gold

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5inn2c0jhc/Ud0JF20MesI/AAAAAAAAaGE/0pKmEjLUA1M/s1600/Sniper+Ghost+Warrior+Gold+Edition.jpgThis is an image of Sniper Ghost warrior released when the game went gold.

Debug This is used to change many aspects of a game. However, many game developers use debug as it allows them to change many things and see many details in a game which need working on or not.http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_debug_mode_in_gaming

This is used to remove bugs; glitches in a game. By doing this the game will be improved and better. Game designers decide to do this so the game will be fixed the best of its abilities possibly meaning that in the future the game will make more money than others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZF0DjknXt4This video shows debugging in use. The person is showing the public how to debug steam games from CLI on Ubuntu.

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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 of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operates automatically.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automation

In games this is used to give object, characters, motions e.g. movement. Automation can be used in cut scenes for games to make the scene better and more realistic e.g. a car speeding in the background.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/SSBB_Gameplay.jpgThis is an image of automation in use e.g. the player is Mario and Kirby and the other 2 characters are fighting with the player, the automation is telling the other 2 characters to fight e.g. do power moves against the player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83LDQ7T-lu0This is a video of a pure automation fight on the game Super Smash Bro’s

White-Box Testing

A method of testing software that tests internal structures or workings of an application, as opposed to its functionality.http://en.wikipedia.org/

Game designer use this method as they van tweak and repair internal structures in the game if they are corrupted e.c.t. This test provides reassurance as the developers can then move on knowing that the repairs were made making the application (game) better and improved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLINA-Gj7eA

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

wiki/White-box_testing

This video is an example of white box testing, and how its works.

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/73final/4518/zk-4069.gifThis is an image which shows other test in which are included in white box testing.

Bug A bug is a short-lived fault in a system. It is often used to describe a transient fault that corrects itself, and is therefore difficult to troubleshoot. Bugs indicate to developers, what things in a game need looking over.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glitch

Bugs in games can cause huge faults in games and are usually fixed by the developers. Sometimes the bug fixes itself but this makes it difficult to troubleshoot as it is hard to repair correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npsez5yZb50This video is from the game Fifa 12. The video shows bugs in this game taking place over a period of time.

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

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/POXD-u_QAzI/hqdefault.jpgThis is an image of a bug also from the game Fifa.

GAME ENGINES

GAME ENGINES

Vertex Shader

This is a programmable function that offers flexibility when rendering an image.http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Vertex+shading

This is key to a game as this basically gives the environments and characters in a game the features they have e.g. the character may look very clear and life like as well as the background. This is also key for the game genre e.g. horror should have dark colours used and shadows e.c.t.

http://s.pcformat.pl/g/a/uploads/34/a1.jpgThis image is an example of what the vertex shader does for characters in games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G37-Yav2ZMThis is a video showing how to rebuild vertex normal in a vertex shader.

Pixel Shader This is when a shader that operates on the level of individual pixels, is used to

This gives each pixel a feature in a game e.g. colours. Pixels are key in a game and so with the pixel shader assisting the pixels, this should determine how the game is graphics wise. This means developers who want a realistic looking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zwhGKCj1eoThis video is based on pixel shading. The video shows how to pixel shade using different tools from the software they are using.

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

generate complex visual effects.http://www.yourdictionary.com/pixel-shader

game will need to focus closely when applyingthe pixel shader.

http://i.imgur.com/CGzTHER.pngThis is an image of someone manipulating the lighting effects using a pixel shader.

Post Processing

This is used in the video game business for quality-improvement image processing (specifically digital image processing) Also, this is the process of changing the perceived quality of a video on playback (done after the decoding process).http://

This style of processing in games improves quality improvement image processing. This means the graphics of the game can be improved if needed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4S__Nyi3t0This video shows a person post processing effects in Overgrowth.

http://www.worldoftanksguide.com/images/post-processing.jpgThis image portrays the effects when manipulating with post processing.

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_post-processing

Rendering This Is the process of generating an image from a 2D or 3D model by means of computer programs.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendering_(computer_graphics)

This is where an image either 2d or 3d model is processed with the use of computer programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00gAbgBu8R4This video shows what a group of people have done to graphics by manipulating with rendering settings e.c.t. The groups aim was to make the graphics look realistic by rendering the graphics.

http://tobias.isenberg.cc/uploads/VideosAndDemos/Isenberg_2003_IVD_350.jpgThis is an image showing rendering process.

Normal Map In 3D computer graphics, normal mapping is a technique used for faking the lighting of bumps

This can be used to improve environments in games as well as lighting. The reason this is used is because the developers are able to add details without adding or using more polygons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P6C8ZodYnAThis is a video showing a person developing their work through normal map.

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

and dents – an implementation of bump mapping. It is used to add details without using more polygonshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/194/8/2/red_riding_hood__normal_map_ao_5_by_einaryoris-d5749nh.jpgThis is an image of normal map, being used on a character

Entity Abstractions and legal fictions are usually regarded as entities. In addition, in a game the entity could be a chair or tree that is placed there by level designers.http://piemaster.net/2011/07/entity-component-primer/

This is basically an object in a game placed in by level designer’s e.g. in the game could be a bench and next to it a tree. This is added for part of the game environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVh2bMOBJgkThis is a video of an entity in which is now ready to be added to a game.

http://www.kevs3d.co.uk/k3d2/images/LWsubpatch.jpgThis is an image of a character developed and ready to be placed into a game as

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

an entity.

UV Map When UV mapping, you are remapping the XYZ coordinates of your object in a new 3D spacehttp://blenderartists.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-173777.html

By using this technique XYZ coordinates can be remapped in a new 3d space. This allows game designers to improve the size of an object e.c.t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3M21GqAgHMThis is a video showing a person using UV mapping to design a Pepsi can on the software blender.

Procedural Texture555555555

This 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 othershttp://

Game designers use this to improve their quality of assets that are natural elements in a game e.g. they can make stone and metal look realistic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8CmR_5KXFoThis video shows a person showing the viewer how to do procedural textures, and how they work.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Procedural_Texture.jpg/225px-Procedural_Texture.jpg

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_texture

Physics This involves the introduction of the laws of physics into a simulation or game engine, particularly in 3D computer graphics, for the purpose of making the effects appear more real to the observer.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_physics

This is key in a game as this adds simulation to the game engine. A game with 3d computer graphics relies on the physics as this will allow the effects to appear and appear more real to the observer (player)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS9seZ_G6pUThis is a video showing game physics within the software blender.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/6/22/1245706291345/bf_1943_may_09_5.gifThis is an image showing game physics e.g.. Explosions and gun fire.

CollisionCollision detection is used to detect the contact of objects within your gamehttp://relativity.net.au/gaming/java/SimpleCollisionDetection.htm

This is where contact with object in a game are detected e.g. a car crashing into a wall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCN5TEO7JGkThis is a video showing a person, creating custom collision for game assets in UDK.

http://johnpdoran.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/collision.png

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

This is an image of collision taking place in the game software Unreal.

Lighting Lighting is used in games to give off different effects e.g. if the game is scary, the lighting would be dark and gloomy to give the game atmospherehttp://www.moddb.com/tutorials/lighting-in-game-environments-the-hows-and-whys

Designers for games add this as this sets a mood for the game e.g. a horror game would usually have dark lighting to create tension. In addition, the lighting sets the atmosphere of the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7jbqwlW4cThis is a video showing natural lighting in games.

http://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/gallery/best-lighting-in-games/killzone-2-lighting.jpgThis is an image of lighting in a game.

AA – Anti-Aliasing

Anti aliasing is often referred in games and on graphics cards. In games especially the chance to smooth edges of the images goes a long way to creating a realistic 3D image on the screen.http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/index.php?pageid=antialiasing

Designers for games use this to smooth edges and create realistic 3d images on the screen. Graphics cards also provide these things for gamers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4sUasP0-yEThis is a video sowing what anti aliasing is, 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

http://solidlystated.com/content/2011/06/divinity2-anti-aliasing.jpgThis is an image showing anti aliasing in action .

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 importancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_of_detail

This is used by developers to add more detail and even fix graphical problems as well as motion errors in games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xePqoDJ_WcUThis video shows the amount of detail in the game The secret world. This video also portrays the game after the level of detail was improved when designers thought it needed to be improved.

http://prodigythegame.com/devblog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/HEAD2.jpg

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

Animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_animation

This is used by developers in the games industry as this is needed to basically play the game e.g. without animation, a game cannot be played.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4xJaXLE_98This video shows animation of a figure running around with a sword.

http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/15/14848/Demo_Main_Character_LP_by_Luke.jpgThis is an image showing animation in a game.

Sprite Sprites are 2D bitmaps that are drawn directly to a render target without using the pipeline for transformations, lighting or effects.http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/bb203919.aspx

These are 2d bitmaps that are drawn directly to a render target. The sprite symbolises as 2d character in a game e.g. Recently I created a sprites on game maker as part of a task. Some sprites were enemies and one was my main character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1Na4BOVisThis video shows a person organising sprites in complex games.

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

http://i.imgur.com/LT2w0.pngThis image shows numerous sprites created and ready to use in a game.

Scene A sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control, breaking up the gameplay and used to advance the plot, strengthen the main character's developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutscene

Scenes in games are portrayed towards the player as the scene is where the story of the game is based. Cut scenes are also used to tell the story of a game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adBj5_lXngEThis is a video showing a cut scene from the game Dark souls 2

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

http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/352788-saints-row-2-windows-screenshot-the-story-is-told-through.jpgThis is an image of a cut scene from Saints row 2

Library  A library is a collection of non-volatile resources used by programs on a computer, often to develop software.http://www.alatechsource.org/ltr/gaming-and-libraries-update

Software Libraries are used by games designers as they provide resources and programmes in which they can use to develop software.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4lWM-NfGlsThis is a video showing a software library in use.

This is an image of a software library for the Xbox360 on Amazon.

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

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/digital/infinity/img_help_library_05_online_game_codes._V192187374_.gif

UI The fiction involves an avatar of the actual user, or player. The player becomes an invisible, but key element to the story, much like a narrator in a novel or film.http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/AnthonyStonehouse/20140227/211823/User_interface_design_in_video_games.php

This is used in games as this allows the player to become an invisible but key element to the story much like a narrator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCPWd7roTNwThis video shows numerous User interfaces in games.

This image shows an example of user interface in the game Red dead redemption.http://admintell.napco.com/ee/images/uploads/gamertell/Red_Dead_Redemption_outfitters.jpg

Frames This is the frequency rate in which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate

Frames keep the game running I order for the player to see clearly what they are doing when playing the game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQl0tiLGHDUThis video portrays how to get better frame rate 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

This is an image showing frame rate whilst the person is playing minecraft.http://updo.nl/file/d2e7513f.png

Concept This style of art is used in games design as it is used to convey ideas before being put into the final product. Usually, a character for example will be

This is where concept art is used to create characters, environments e.c.t for games. In my course I have used concept art for 3d modelling my robot and comic strip scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVYzsbBxaQwThis video shows concept art being used in order to create a game.

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

drawn, the maybe sculpted and then digitally designed.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_art

This image shows concept art being used to create a character for a game.

http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Very-Early-Alex-Concept-Art-570x382.png

Event An event in a game is where a NPC e.c.t. triggers something in which creates an action e.g. a enemy shooting at you or an character you’re not controlling opening a door.

These are placed into games to make the game look more realistic e.g. NPC’s will do actions without the actual gamer making them e.g. enemies in games will try and kill you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfPUqON5sVQThis video shows a person creating enemies in the software game maker so that they will try and attack him.

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

This image shows an event in the game Watchdogs.http://www.gameranx.com/img/13-Aug/watch-dogs-1.jpg

Pathfinding This is where NPC’s e.c.t. have a set path in the game in which they follow e.g. a NPC might have a job in the game and so he will work then go home through the created path.

These paths are placed into games to make a game more realistic and simply better. This way the game is more active and this adds reality into the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_AurmdOnw4This video portrays a pathfinder being made in Game maker.

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