Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
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: 
Liam 
Oven 
RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched 
definition and URL link) 
DESCRIBE 
THE 
RELEVANCE 
OF THE 
RESEARCHE 
D TERM TO 
YOUR OWN 
PRODUCTIO 
N PRACTICE? 
IMAGE SUPPORT (Provide an image and/or video link of 
said term being used in a game) 
VIDEO 
GAMES 
/ VIDEO 
GAME 
TESTIN 
G 
Demo Demo is short for demonstration, URL: 
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/demo 
The game demo is the free distributed piece of the upcoming or recently 
released video game., URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_demo 
Demo is 
bas ically a 
short preview 
of the game 
which you get 
to play. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_CSJM0oaQI 
Beta The be ta is the third s tage of most s oftware’s not only vi deo games, URL: 
https ://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081019143302AAIBse 
Y 
A Computer Beta is a quality control technique in which hardware or 
software is subject to trial, URL: 
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beta+test 
The beta is 
bas ically you 
can play the 
game but i t 
i s n’t fully 
compl ete yet 
and i t will 
have bugs 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCGq3_3iKv4 
Alpha A very early version of the software product that may not contain all of the 
features that are being planned for the final version. Typically, software, URL: 
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/alpha_version.html 
The alpha is 
bas ically a 
beta but only 
available for 
tes ters, 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VWnQHS-ffs
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
2 
developers 
and investors. 
Pre-Alpha Pre Alpha is a mega early version of the game before anything i s finalized, 
URL: http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/440511.page 
Pre a l pha re fers to a ll the a ctivity that happens during the software’s 
development before the testing, URL: 
http://eloisecorke.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/definition-pre-alpha-alpha-and- 
beta/ 
The pre-alpha 
i s for testing 
the game 
before the 
beta or alpha. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL7_Bc88OM 
Gold Gone Gold means the creation of the game has been completed, URL: 
https ://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060920181003AANDTle 
Gone gold is 
when the 
game is 
completed 
and i s being 
released to 
the public. 
Thi s game has just been completed 
Debug Debug means removing errors, bugs or abnormalities, URL: 
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/16373/debugging 
Locating a fixing bugs, URL: 
http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/debugging 
Debug means 
removing 
bugs and 
gl i tches from 
the game. 
Debugging a game
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
3 
Automatio 
n 
Meaning is making anything work automatically or automating something, 
URL: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automation 
Automation i s 
when you 
make 
something 
move or 
compl ete 
ta sks on its 
once without 
human 
interaction. Thi s is a automation car 
White-Box 
Testing 
Meaning This is used to find internal functionalities of software like 
condi tional loops, statement coverage. It is mainly done by the Developers, 
URL: 
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_black_box_testing_and_white_box_te 
s ting 
White box 
tes ting i s 
where 
developers fix 
problems with 
the game 
i solating the 
game from 
anyone. 
example of white 
box tes ting 
Bug Al so known as a glitch a bug is just something that is wrong in a game, URL: 
https ://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080622111127AAsXob5 
A bug i s 
something 
tha t i sn’t 
meant to be in 
the game or 
affects the 
game in a bad 
way. 
He re ’s a n e xample of a bug/glitch
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
4 
GAME 
ENGINE 
S 
GAME 
ENGINE 
S 
Vertex 
Shader 
Offers 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 color, texture, position and direction from the original 
color space to the display space. It allows the original objects to be 
distorted or reshaped in any manner, URL: 
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/53754/vertex-shader 
Vertex shader 
i s where you 
trans form an 
image to 
become more 
vertical and 
makes to 
image more 
original. 
Thi s was created with the vertex shader 
Pixel 
Shader 
The pixel shader is another programmable function that allows flexibility 
in shading an individual pixel, URL: 
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Pixel+shader 
The pixel 
shader adds 
more depth to 
an image 
making it 
more vi sual 
appealing 
with more 
colour 
variation. 
Example of the pixel shader 
Post 
Processing 
Is used in the video/film business for quality-improvement image 
processing (specifically digital image processing) methods used in video 
playback devices, (such as stand-alone DVD-Video players), and video 
players software and transcoding software. It is also commonly used in 
real-time 3D rendering (such as in video games) to add additional effects, 
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_post-processing 
Pos t 
processing 
gives to image 
more l ight and 
brightens the 
image which 
gives the 
effect of more 
deta il. 
Example of post processing
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
5 
Rendering Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model by means 
of computer software. Rendering is used in architecture, simulators, video 
games, movies and television visual effects and design visualization, URL: 
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=17940930&siteID=1231 
12 
Rendering is 
where you 
create your 
video or 
image. 
Example of rendering 
Normal 
Map 
It is used to add details without using more polygons. A common use of 
this technique is to greatly enhance the appearance and details of a low 
polygon model by generating a normal map from a high polygon model or 
height map, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping 
Normal map is 
where you 
add more 
deta il or make 
your image 
smoother. 
example of normal map 
Entity entity is a dynamic object such as a non-player character or item, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity 
An enti ty i s 
any object 
within the 
game. 
Example of entity engine
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
6 
UV Map UV mapping is the 3D modelling process of making a 2D image 
representation of a 3D model's surface, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping 
UV Map 
al lows you to 
see more of 
an image 
giving it more 
deta il and 
al lowing you 
to edi t more. 
Example of 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, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_texture 
Al lows to 
creator to add 
more realism 
to an image. 
Example of Procedural Texture 
Physics 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, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_physics 
Introduce 
laws of 
phys ics to the 
game. 
Example of Game engine physics
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
7 
Collision Collision detection algorithmically calculates impact time by identifying 
two or more object intersection points. Collision detection is also a virtual 
interface that determines user and object distance for collision 
prevention. Collision detection is a key 3-D component associated with 
robotics, video games and physical simulation, URL: 
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/4778/collision-detection 
Detect when 
something 
col l ides with 
something 
el se. 
Example of Collision 
Lighting is the rendering of computer graphics scenes by using lighting 
calculations done in a larger dynamic range. This allows preservation of 
details that may be lost due to limiting contrast ratios. Video 
games and computer-generated movies and special effects benefit from 
this as it creates more realistic scenes than with the more simplistic 
lighting models used, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_ 
rendering 
Lighting i s 
used to 
represent a 
l ight effect of 
a object like 
the sun of a 
l ight bulb 
Example of lighting 
AA – Anti- 
Aliasing 
Anti-Aliasing can detect these edges and smooth them out using a quick 
scan of them, URL: 
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100420031929AAO 
N6YB 
Anti -Aliasing 
smooth’s 
edges out. 
Example of Anti-Aliasing
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
8 
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, URL: 
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/11791/level-of-detail-lod 
LoD i s where 
you edi t 
landscape. 
Example of Level of Detail 
Animation A simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures, 
or frames, URL: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/animation.html 
Animation is 
when you 
make an 
image move. 
Example of Animation 
Sprite A sprite is a bitmap graphic that is designed to be part of a larger scene. It 
can either be a static image or an animated graphic, URL: 
http://www.techterms.com/definition/sprite 
A spri te is a 
image which 
can be used in 
a game. 
Example of a Sprite
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
9 
Scene A part of a story, movie or play, URL: http://www.merriam-webster. 
com/dictionary/scene 
A s cene is a 
picture. 
Example of a scene 
Library A collection of software routines that programmers incorporate into their 
applications. The library routines are linked into the program when it is 
compiled. See class library, URL: http://www.yourdictionary.com/library 
A l ibrary i s a 
place to store 
l inks and files. 
Example of a library 
UI Means in which a person controls a software application or hardware 
device. A good user interface provides a "user-friendly" experience, 
allowing the user to interact with the software or hardware in a natural 
and intuitive way, URL: 
http://www.techterms.com/definition/user_interface 
The UI i s 
something 
control led by 
the computer. 
Example of UI
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
10 
Frames In video and animation, a single image in a sequence of images. See 
under FPS, URL: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/frame.html 
Frames is how 
many times 
the s creen 
swaps frames 
per second 
(FPS). 
Example of frames 
Concept Where concepts are entities that exist in the brain, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept 
A concept is a 
way of doing 
something. 
example of a concept 
Event is an action or occurrence detected by the program that may be handled 
by the program, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_(computing) 
A event i s a 
planned 
action. 
Example of a in game event
Salford City College 
Eccles Sixth Form Centre 
BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN 
Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games 
IG2 Task 1 
11 
Path 
finding 
The plotting, by a computer application, of the shortest route between 
two points. It is a more practical variant on solving mazes, URL: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding 
A path finder 
i s l ike a sat 
nav for a 
game which 
shows you the 
fasted way of 
getting to 
your 
des tination. 
Example of Path finder

Using a 3D Game Engine

  • 1.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 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: Liam Oven RESEARCHED DEFINITION (provide short internet researched definition and URL link) DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCHE D TERM TO YOUR OWN PRODUCTIO N PRACTICE? IMAGE SUPPORT (Provide an image and/or video link of said term being used in a game) VIDEO GAMES / VIDEO GAME TESTIN G Demo Demo is short for demonstration, URL: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/demo The game demo is the free distributed piece of the upcoming or recently released video game., URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_demo Demo is bas ically a short preview of the game which you get to play. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_CSJM0oaQI Beta The be ta is the third s tage of most s oftware’s not only vi deo games, URL: https ://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081019143302AAIBse Y A Computer Beta is a quality control technique in which hardware or software is subject to trial, URL: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beta+test The beta is bas ically you can play the game but i t i s n’t fully compl ete yet and i t will have bugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCGq3_3iKv4 Alpha A very early version of the software product that may not contain all of the features that are being planned for the final version. Typically, software, URL: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/alpha_version.html The alpha is bas ically a beta but only available for tes ters, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VWnQHS-ffs
  • 2.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 2 developers and investors. Pre-Alpha Pre Alpha is a mega early version of the game before anything i s finalized, URL: http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/440511.page Pre a l pha re fers to a ll the a ctivity that happens during the software’s development before the testing, URL: http://eloisecorke.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/definition-pre-alpha-alpha-and- beta/ The pre-alpha i s for testing the game before the beta or alpha. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL7_Bc88OM Gold Gone Gold means the creation of the game has been completed, URL: https ://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060920181003AANDTle Gone gold is when the game is completed and i s being released to the public. Thi s game has just been completed Debug Debug means removing errors, bugs or abnormalities, URL: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/16373/debugging Locating a fixing bugs, URL: http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget.com/definition/debugging Debug means removing bugs and gl i tches from the game. Debugging a game
  • 3.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 3 Automatio n Meaning is making anything work automatically or automating something, URL: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automation Automation i s when you make something move or compl ete ta sks on its once without human interaction. Thi s is a automation car White-Box Testing Meaning This is used to find internal functionalities of software like condi tional loops, statement coverage. It is mainly done by the Developers, URL: http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_black_box_testing_and_white_box_te s ting White box tes ting i s where developers fix problems with the game i solating the game from anyone. example of white box tes ting Bug Al so known as a glitch a bug is just something that is wrong in a game, URL: https ://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080622111127AAsXob5 A bug i s something tha t i sn’t meant to be in the game or affects the game in a bad way. He re ’s a n e xample of a bug/glitch
  • 4.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 4 GAME ENGINE S GAME ENGINE S Vertex Shader Offers 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 color, texture, position and direction from the original color space to the display space. It allows the original objects to be distorted or reshaped in any manner, URL: http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/53754/vertex-shader Vertex shader i s where you trans form an image to become more vertical and makes to image more original. Thi s was created with the vertex shader Pixel Shader The pixel shader is another programmable function that allows flexibility in shading an individual pixel, URL: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Pixel+shader The pixel shader adds more depth to an image making it more vi sual appealing with more colour variation. Example of the pixel shader Post Processing Is used in the video/film business for quality-improvement image processing (specifically digital image processing) methods used in video playback devices, (such as stand-alone DVD-Video players), and video players software and transcoding software. It is also commonly used in real-time 3D rendering (such as in video games) to add additional effects, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_post-processing Pos t processing gives to image more l ight and brightens the image which gives the effect of more deta il. Example of post processing
  • 5.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 5 Rendering Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. Rendering is used in architecture, simulators, video games, movies and television visual effects and design visualization, URL: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?id=17940930&siteID=1231 12 Rendering is where you create your video or image. Example of rendering Normal Map It is used to add details without using more polygons. A common use of this technique is to greatly enhance the appearance and details of a low polygon model by generating a normal map from a high polygon model or height map, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping Normal map is where you add more deta il or make your image smoother. example of normal map Entity entity is a dynamic object such as a non-player character or item, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity An enti ty i s any object within the game. Example of entity engine
  • 6.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 6 UV Map UV mapping is the 3D modelling process of making a 2D image representation of a 3D model's surface, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping UV Map al lows you to see more of an image giving it more deta il and al lowing you to edi t more. Example of 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, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_texture Al lows to creator to add more realism to an image. Example of Procedural Texture Physics 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, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_physics Introduce laws of phys ics to the game. Example of Game engine physics
  • 7.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 7 Collision Collision detection algorithmically calculates impact time by identifying two or more object intersection points. Collision detection is also a virtual interface that determines user and object distance for collision prevention. Collision detection is a key 3-D component associated with robotics, video games and physical simulation, URL: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/4778/collision-detection Detect when something col l ides with something el se. Example of Collision Lighting is the rendering of computer graphics scenes by using lighting calculations done in a larger dynamic range. This allows preservation of details that may be lost due to limiting contrast ratios. Video games and computer-generated movies and special effects benefit from this as it creates more realistic scenes than with the more simplistic lighting models used, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_ rendering Lighting i s used to represent a l ight effect of a object like the sun of a l ight bulb Example of lighting AA – Anti- Aliasing Anti-Aliasing can detect these edges and smooth them out using a quick scan of them, URL: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100420031929AAO N6YB Anti -Aliasing smooth’s edges out. Example of Anti-Aliasing
  • 8.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 8 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, URL: http://www.techopedia.com/definition/11791/level-of-detail-lod LoD i s where you edi t landscape. Example of Level of Detail Animation A simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures, or frames, URL: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/animation.html Animation is when you make an image move. Example of Animation Sprite A sprite is a bitmap graphic that is designed to be part of a larger scene. It can either be a static image or an animated graphic, URL: http://www.techterms.com/definition/sprite A spri te is a image which can be used in a game. Example of a Sprite
  • 9.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 9 Scene A part of a story, movie or play, URL: http://www.merriam-webster. com/dictionary/scene A s cene is a picture. Example of a scene Library A collection of software routines that programmers incorporate into their applications. The library routines are linked into the program when it is compiled. See class library, URL: http://www.yourdictionary.com/library A l ibrary i s a place to store l inks and files. Example of a library UI Means in which a person controls a software application or hardware device. A good user interface provides a "user-friendly" experience, allowing the user to interact with the software or hardware in a natural and intuitive way, URL: http://www.techterms.com/definition/user_interface The UI i s something control led by the computer. Example of UI
  • 10.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 10 Frames In video and animation, a single image in a sequence of images. See under FPS, URL: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/frame.html Frames is how many times the s creen swaps frames per second (FPS). Example of frames Concept Where concepts are entities that exist in the brain, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept A concept is a way of doing something. example of a concept Event is an action or occurrence detected by the program that may be handled by the program, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_(computing) A event i s a planned action. Example of a in game event
  • 11.
    Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 73: Sound For Computer Games IG2 Task 1 11 Path finding The plotting, by a computer application, of the shortest route between two points. It is a more practical variant on solving mazes, URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding A path finder i s l ike a sat nav for a game which shows you the fasted way of getting to your des tination. Example of Path finder