Terence Byrne Y2 gd Engine_Terminology

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:
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.thefreed
ictionary.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.png
here is an image of the minecraft demo loading screen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYL21nZC4wE
This is a video of minecraft being played as a demo.

IG2 Task 1
2
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 game
https://uk.answers.ya
hoo.com/question/in
dex?qid=2008101914
3302AAIBseY
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=2uMc5hZxZ6E
This 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.yaho
o.com/question/inde
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_ARfMM
This is a video on a game called Tug being played through alpha.

IG2 Task 1
3
x?qid=201101191846
50AAfwy7x
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=aJrZkNVwNTs
This 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.

IG2 Task 1
4
https://www.teamvvv.com/assets/js/ckeditor/kcfinder/upload/images/NCG-Screenshot-
2014-01-03-06.jpg
This 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.urbandic
tionary.com/define.p
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-dNj4Vw
This is a advertisement video of the game Sniper Ghost warrior as the game
went gold

IG2 Task 1
5
hp?term=Gone%20G
old
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
y5inn2c0jhc/Ud0JF20MesI/AAAAAAAAaGE/0pKmEjLUA1M/s1600/Sniper+Ghost
+Warrior+Gold+Edition.jpg
This 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_deb
ug_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=YZF0DjknXt4
This video shows debugging in use. The person is showing the public how to
debug steam games from CLI on Ubuntu.
Automation The technique of
making an
apparatus, a
process, or a
system operates
automatically.
http://www.merriam
-
webster.com/diction
ary/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.jpg
This 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.

IG2 Task 1
6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83LDQ7T-lu0
This 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.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/White-box_
testing
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
This video is an example of white box testing, and how its works.
http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/73final/4518/zk-4069.gif
This 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
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=npsez5yZb50
This video is from the game Fifa 12. The video shows bugs in this game taking
place over a period of time.

IG2 Task 1
7
troubleshoot. Bugs
indicate to
developers, what
things in a game
need looking over.
http://en.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/Glitch
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/POXD-u_QAzI/hqdefault.jpg
This 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.co
m/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.jpg
This image is an example of what the vertex shader does for characters in
games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G37-Yav2ZM
This 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=-zwhGKCj1eo
This video is based on pixel shading. The video shows how to pixel shade using
different tools from the software they are using.

IG2 Task 1
8
generate complex
visual effects.
http://www.yourdicti
onary.com/pixel-shader
game will need to focus closely when applying
the pixel shader.
http://i.imgur.com/CGzTHER.png
This 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://en.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/Video_p
ost-processing
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__Nyi3t0
This video shows a person post processing effects in Overgrowth.
http://www.worldoftanksguide.com/images/post-processing.jpg
This image portrays the effects when manipulating with post processing.

IG2 Task 1
9
Rendering This Is the process
of generating an
image from a 2D or
3D model by means
of computer
programs.
http://en.wikipedia.o
rg/wiki/Rendering_(c
omputer_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=00gAbgBu8R4
This 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.jp
g
This is an image showing rendering process.
Normal Map In 3D computer
graphics, normal
mapping is a
technique used for
faking the lighting
of bumps and dents
– an
implementation of
bump mapping. It
is used to add
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=2P6C8ZodYnA
This is a video showing a person developing their work through normal map.

IG2 Task 1
10
details without
using more
polygons
rg/wiki/Normal_map
ping
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/194/8/2/red_riding_hood__normal_ma
p_ao_5_by_einaryoris-d5749nh.jpg
This 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=GVh2bMOBJgk
This 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.jpg
This is an image of a character developed and ready to be placed into a game as

IG2 Task 1
11
an entity.
UV Map When UV mapping,
you are remapping
the XYZ
coordinates of your
object in a new 3D
space
http://blenderartists.
org/forum/archive/in
dex.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=A3M21GqAgHM
This is a video showing a person using UV mapping to design a Pepsi can on the
software blender.
Procedural
Texture
555555555
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
others
rg/wiki/Procedural_t
exture
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_5KXFo
This 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_Text
ure.jpg/225px-Procedural_Texture.jpg

IG2 Task 1
12
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.
rg/wiki/Game_physic
s
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_G6pU
This 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.
gif
This is an image showing game physics e.g.. Explosions and gun fire.
Collision
Collision detection
is used to detect
the contact of
objects within your
game
http://relativity.ne
t.au/gaming/java/
SimpleCollisionDete
ction.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=SCN5TEO7JGk
This 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
This is an image of collision taking place in the game software Unreal.

IG2 Task 1
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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
atmosphere
http://www.moddb.c
om/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=-b7jbqwlW4c
This is a video showing natural lighting in games.
http://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/gallery/best-lighting-in-games/
killzone-2-lighting.jpg
This 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.panther
products.co.uk/index.
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-yE
This is a video sowing what anti aliasing is, in video games.

IG2 Task 1
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php?pageid=antialiasi
ng
http://solidlystated.com/content/2011/06/divinity2-anti-aliasing.jpg
This 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 importance
rg/wiki/Level_of_det
ail
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_WcU
This 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

IG2 Task 1
15
Animation is the process used
for generating
animated images
by using computer
graphics.
http://en.wikipedi
a.org/wiki/Comput
er_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_98
This 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.jpg
This 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.microsof
t.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=YR1Na4BOVis
This video shows a person organising sprites in complex games.

IG2 Task 1
16
http://i.imgur.com/LT2w0.png
This 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
development
rg/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_lXngE
This is a video showing a cut scene from the game Dark souls 2

IG2 Task 1
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http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/352788-saints-row-2-windows-screenshot-
the-story-is-told-through.jpg
This 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.alatechs
ource.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-NfGls
This is a video showing a software library in use.
This is an image of a software library for the Xbox360 on Amazon.

IG2 Task 1
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http://g-ecx.images-amazon.
com/images/G/01/digital/infinity/img_help_library_05_online_game_c
odes._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/AnthonySton
ehouse/20140227/2118
23/User_interface_desig
n_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=QCPWd7roTNw
This 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_Redempt
ion_outfitters.jpg
Frames This is the frequency
rate in which an
imaging device
produces unique
consecutive images
called frames.
rg/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=dQl0tiLGHDU
This video portrays how to get better frame rate in video games.

IG2 Task 1
19
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=jVYzsbBxaQw
This video shows concept art being used in order to create a game.

IG2 Task 1
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drawn, the maybe
sculpted and then
digitally designed.
rg/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=IfPUqON5sVQ
This video shows a person creating enemies in the software game maker so that
they will try and attack him.

IG2 Task 1
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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_AurmdOnw4
This video portrays a pathfinder being made in Game maker.

Terence Byrne Y2 gd Engine_Terminology

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Terence Byrne Y2 gd Engine_Terminology