This document discusses various elements that are common across many computer games. It describes different types of gameplay, the importance of storylines, character customization options, the role of trailers in marketing games, modes involving player vs environment (PvE) or player vs player (PvP) gameplay, the purpose of maps and music in setting the atmosphere of games, heads up displays (HUDs) with information like health and ammunition, skill trees that allow players to progress their characters, leveling up through gaining experience points, including quests/missions/objectives to provide goals for players, and the function of loading screens.

1. Gaming
BY NATHANIEL WHITTAKER

2. My Favourite Games
Fallout 3 Sid Meier’s
Civilization 5
Payday 2 Left 4 Dead 2
Grand Theft Auto:
San Andreas
The Binding
of Isaac
The Simpsons:
Hit and Run Arma 3

3. Gameplay
Gameplay within Computer Games differs from game to game, genre to genre.
Certain games may require you to have quick reflexes, some may want good
accuracy while others may be complex strategy. Because of this differing
gameplay, the culture behind Computer Games is very rich and there are several
communities built around different genres and even games themselves.
Watch Dogs F1 2010 Europa Universalis 3
Call of Duty: World at War Assassins Creed 3 FIFA 14

4. Storyline
Akmost all games have some sort of storyline that continues throughout
the games. Often, Computer Games have better written storylines than
their counterparts in the entertainment industry. Big budget games will
often have HollyWood writers compose the storyline for their games.
Computer Games tend to be better storytelling mediums than films
because the player is actually controlling their actions, and are able to
move with the story at their own pace, as opposed to films and watching
someone else play through the story. Many games have incredible
storylines such as “The Last of Us”, “Bioshock Infinite” and “Spec Ops:
The Line”

5. Character Selection
A wide number of games allow the player to customise their in game
player. This may be from a static set of characters, or it may allow the
player to customise individual body parts such as hair, skin and eye
colour, facial features, body type among others.
Diablo 3
The Elder Scrolls:
Skyrim
Mortal Kombat 4
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Different characters
allow players to keep
the game fresh and
new, and customisable
characters allow
players to feel closer to
their character.

6. Trailers
Trailers for Computer Games are a very important part of the marketing of games. Often
trailers will include gameplay footage of the game, to showcase the graphics and the
gameplay inside the game itself. It may also simply set the theme for the game and not
feature any gameplay at all. Typically announcement trailers do this.
Sometimes however, for the bigger budget titles, the trailer is not just limited to footage from
within the game. Companies will do “Live Action” trailers where actors dress up like
characters and role-play the game.
Civilization: Beyond Earth, Announcement Destiny, Live Action Trailer
Trailer

7. PvE and PvP
Player vs Environment is a term used in Computer Games where the
player is fighting against computer controlled enemies (AI).
Player vs Player is also a term used in Computer Games where the player
is fighting against another player. Both of these styles are immensely
popular and all games feature one or both of them.
Warframe – PvE DayZ - PvP Titanfall – PvE and PvP

8. Maps
Computer Games can have massive, sprawling
worlds that can take literal hours to cross.
Because of this, maps have to be create to help
guide the player to their destination.
With the new technology that has been brought
in by the latest set of Video Game Consoles,
and PC’s, the maps and levels in Computer
Games are bigger than they have ever been
before.
The Elder Scrolls V:
It apparently takes 4 hours, 29 minutes
and 3 seconds to sprint around it.
Skyrim Map The Crew Map

9. Music
The music in Computer Games is very important. Like music in all other
types of entertainment, music helps set the mood of the game and provide
a more atmospheric experience. The music in some games is more iconic
than the game itself, in the case of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, where
people who haven’t even played any of the games in the series will
recognise the song if played.

10. HuD’s
HuD, stands for Heads Up Display. This is common in First Person games
and it helps indicate things about the game, such as the health of the
player, the ammunition they have left and a map to help the player
orientate themselves. Not all games feature a HuD. Ultra-Realistic games
often don’t feature a HuD as it would detract from the atmosphere of the
game.
Assault Cube Quake Wars 4

11. Skill Trees
Computer Games often feature a sort of skill tree layout. This is where as
the player progresses through the game, they gain more and more
abilities, or access to different weapons or cars and the like. This helps
motivate the player to continue playing, as they feel they are making
progress through the game.
Borderlands
Witcher 2
Path of Exile Far Cry 3

12. Leveling
Most games feature some sort of levelling system to keep the player
interested. This usually involves the player gaining Experience Points
(XP) by doing certain things such as finishing quests, completing side
objectives or beaten enemies. The player is then rewarded for levelling up
by being granted a new skill or ability or the choice in picking what they
want.
DreamTopia The Elder Scrolls 5:
Skyrim
Costume Quest

13. Quests/Missions/Objectives
Quests or Objectives in a Computer Game is imperative. The player needs
a goal to complete in order for the game to remain enjoyable. These
objectives could include a variety of tasks, such as delivering a package to
another character, killing or defeating a boss, defending an area or simply
listening to the story line.
Objectives tend to vary slightly from game to game, but usually follow a
similar structure throughout.
Borderlands Kingdom Age: Quests

14. Loading Screens
Loading screens are becoming a thing of the past. Due to hardware
advancements in the technology that Computer Games run on, players no
longer have to wait a frustrating amount of time to load from level to
level. However, in most games, loading screens still exist, due to games
not being able to load instantly, the game will display a screen which may
contain helpful information about the game, hints and/or tips, lore from
the game or possibly just a splash screen.
World of Warcraft Fallout 3 Bioshock Infinite