Y1 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: Elliot
Black
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 freely distributed piece of an
upcoming or recently released video game.
Demos are typically released by the game's
publisher to help consumers get a feel of the
game before deciding whether to buy the full
version. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_demo
Creating a playable demo for
our game allows us to present
our work through a playable
means.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R81xOMybdFg
Beta A beta version of a program, game etc... is an
unfinished version released to either the public a
select few or whoever signs up to beta test it for
bugs or glitches. -
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?ter
m=Beta
If we needed to show various
stages of our work for our
unit, we may have to show a
beta build of our game. Also
we would have a beta build
for testing bugs in our game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uMc5hZxZ6E

IG2 Task 1
2
Alpha Alpha is the stage when key gameplay
functionality is implemented, and assets are
partially finished. A game in alpha is feature
complete, that is, game is playable and contains
all the major features. These features may be
further revised based on testing and feedback. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_devel
opment#Alpha
Again, if it was needed that
we provide various builds of
our game for examples, then
creating an alpha build will be
necessary. Also, having an
alpha build would be a key
element in testing gameplay
functionality in or game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvIZUrB92fI
Pre-Alpha Pre-Alpha is a standard term to denote a number
of interim milestones between prototyping and
alpha, each of which includes new functionality
and/or game content. Pre-alphas often mandate
incremented improvements on a number of
parallel areas in a project, but rarely expect any
one of those areas to be complete. -
http://www.whatgamesare.com/pre-alpha.html
Creating a pre-alpha would
be necessary to begin with if
we were producing all the
stages of development for
this unit. Pre-alphas are also
vital for prototyping our game
in with the bare minimum
implemented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTaIk7akOUw
Gold The final stage is sometimes called the gold
stage, where the game has gone through
complete testing and has passed a final review. -
http://www.3dcognition.com/theory/game-development/
2/
The gold stage would be the
final stage we would have to
produce in order to present
the stages of development for
our game. The gold stage will
be the completed version of
our game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dson4YZjEr0

IG2 Task 1
3
Debug A debug menu or debug mode is a user interface
implemented in a computer program that allows
the user to view and/or manipulate the
program's internal state for the purpose of
debugging. Debug menus are used during
software development for easy testing and are
usually made inaccessible or otherwise hidden
from the end-user. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debug_menu
A debug menu will be handy
in order to see what is going
wrong in the game during
development and help fix the
problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhTK5weADhU
Automation Automation or automatic control is the use of
various control systems for operating equipment
such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers
and heat treating ovens, switching in telephone
networks, steering and stabilization of ships,
aircraft and other applications with minimal or
reduced human intervention. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automation
We could add a level
automation to our game by
adding scripts that automate
certain functions and
gameplay elements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2hIcyGHuI

IG2 Task 1
4
White-Box
Testing
Also known as glass box, structural, clear box and
open box testing. A software testing technique
whereby explicit knowledge of the internal
workings of the item being tested are used to
select the test data. -
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/White_Bo
x_Testing.html
White box testing will be
required in order to fix more
complicated bugs that are to
do with fragile lines of code.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bJcvBLJViQ
Bug A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in
a computer program or system that causes it to
produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to
behave in unintended ways. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug
We may have bugs in our
game when it comes to
implementing lines of code in
our game, as certain parts of
the code may be wrong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1SFm62Etyc

IG2 Task 1
5
GAME
ENGINES
GAME
ENGINES
Vertex Shader A vertex shader is a graphics processing function
used to add special effects to objects in a 3D
environment by performing mathematical
operations on the objects' vertex data. -
http://www.nvidia.com/object/feature_vertexsh
ader.html
Vertex shaders will be
relevant to our work as we
will use them to add effects
to objects in our games such
as shadows being cast on
them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G37-Yav2ZM
Pixel Shader A Pixel Shader is a graphics function that
calculates effects on a per-pixel basis. Depending
on resolution, in excess of 2 million pixels may
need to be rendered, lit, shaded, and colored for
each frame, at 60frames per second. -
http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/feature_pixelsha
der.html
Pixel Shaders will be used to
add effects to much larger
environments such as
backgrounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL8T7uw7ERE

IG2 Task 1
6
Post Processing Post processing allows different effects to be
performed on the scene after it has been
rendered, but before outputting it to the
viewport. -
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/PostProcessEff
ectsHome.html
Post processing would be
good to add a it adds blur to
further away textures and
makes the closer ones more
visually appealing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4S__Nyi3t0
Rendering Rendering is the process of generating an image
from a 2D or 3D model (or models in what
collectively could be called a scene file), by
means of computer programs. Also, the results of
such a model can be called a rendering. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendering_(comput
er_graphics)
We will have to render many
textures and environments
during the gameplay of our
game in order for us to have
different levels and objects at
varying distances or in
different levels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00gAbgBu8R4

IG2 Task 1
7
Normal Map A normal map is a way of adding high-resolution
detail to a game ready (low resolution) model,
without drastically affecting the game's
performance. - http://3d.about.com/od/3d-101-
The-Basics/tp/Current-Gen-Gameart-Workflow-
What-Is-Normal-Mapping.html
We may add normal maps to
certain objects and
environments in order to give
them specific textures,
especially closer up ones as
they will be more noticeable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UOXJiJpfiw
Entity Entity-component-system (ECS) is a software
architecture pattern that implements concepts
from Composition over inheritance using a
database-like structure. Suppose there is a
drawing function. This would be a "System" that
iterates through all entities that have both a
physical and a visible component, and draws
them. The visible component could typically have
some information about how an entity should
look (e.g. human, monster, sparks flying around,
flying arrow), and use the physical component to
know where to draw it. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity_component_
system
Entities give AI actions to do
such as, moving running etc.
therefore it will be vital to
making a game with
computer controlled players
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwwfTWMrM9k
UV Map UV mapping is the 3D modeling process of
making a 2D image representation of a 3D
model's surface. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping
In order to texture 3D objects
that aren’t exactly flat, UV
mapping will help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=469iOH5k0Xc

IG2 Task 1
8
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. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proceduraltexture
Procedural textures would be
useful for texturing
environments that include a
lot of textures like wood and
stone, That when the player
gets closer to the detail of
the image increases and the
same goes for when they get
further away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0aBrs-2720
Physics A physics engine is computer software that
provides an approximate simulation of
certain physical systems, such as rigid body
dynamics (including collision detection), soft
body dynamics, and fluid dynamics, of use in
the domains of computer graphics, video
games and film. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_engine#Ga
me_engines
Physics in our games would
be expected if wanted
realistic aspects such as rag
dolling or gravity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKgKSg0Nr6A

IG2 Task 1
9
Collision Collision detection typically refers to the
computational problem of detecting the
intersection of two or more objects. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collision_detection
#Video_games
Collision detection will be
helpful if we are making a
shooter as collision detection
of the bullets hit box hitting
the enemy’s hit box will class
as a kill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgEwA_XnoH8
Lighting High-dynamic-range rendering (HDRR or HDR
rendering), also known as high-dynamic-range
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.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_
rendering
Lighting is very important in
making a game aesthetically
pleasing and viewable as an
area that isn’t lit will make
seeing very hard or
impossible within the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5DNkxkXBeI

IG2 Task 1
10
AA – Anti-
Aliasing
In computer graphics, antialiasing is
a software technique for diminishing jaggies -
stairstep-like lines that should be smooth. Jaggies
occur because the output device,
the monitor or printer, doesn't have a high
enough resolution to represent a smooth line.
Antialiasing reduces the prominence of jaggies by
surrounding the stairsteps with intermediate
shades of gray -
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/antialiasin
g.html
Anti-aliasing will be helpful if
some textures appear jagged
due to the aspect ratio as
they will add grey around the
pixels to make them more
blurred.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_0do0jo5yY
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. Generally speaking, the level of
detail is dictated by the game's system
requirements. -
http://www.techopedia.com/definition/11791/le
vel-of-detail-lod
A level of detail will be quite
useful whilst making our
game as having far away
objects less detailed and
keeping only closer textures
detailed will be less taxing on
the game engine and allow it
to run smoother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzlU_xvTK3Y
Animation The creation of moving pictures in a three-dimensional
digital environment. This is done by
sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that
simulate motion by each image showing the next
in a gradual progression of steps, filmed by a
virtual "camera" and then output to video by a
rendering engine. -
http://animation.about.com/od/glossaryofterms
/g/3danim_def.html
Animation of 3D models such
as people or sprites, will be
need in order to add actual
movement to the actual
models such as legs moving
when the character runs etc..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWC6Pw63BAY

IG2 Task 1
11
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. -
http://www.techterms.com/definition/sprite
Sprites will be used as
character models and objects
if we make a 2D game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=steGfdZ0zqE
Scene Scenes contain the objects of your game. They
can be used to create a main menu, individual
levels, and anything else. -
http://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/CreatingScenes
.html
Scenes will be helpful in
keeping the objects and files
we use for a level in one
place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HwZQt94uHQ
Library In computer science, a library is a collection
of non-volatile resources used by programs on a
computer, often to develop software. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_(computing
)
Keeping a library of all our
files will help keep them
organised.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwBLIppjVbw

IG2 Task 1
12
UI In computing, a graphical user interface is a type
of interface that allows users to interact with
electronic devices through graphical icons and
visual indicators such as secondary notation, as
opposed to text-based interfaces, typed
command labels or text navigation.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_inte
rface
A UI would be good to be
implemented into our game
in order for the player to see
the statuses of the game
character i.e. health, bullets
etc…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOX6itCuKOc
Frames Frame rates in video games refer to the speed at
which the image is refreshed (typically in frames
per second, or FPS). -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate#Video_
games
The preferred frame rate at
which I would like my game
to run at would be 60FPS as
that is the optimal frame rate
that most games aim to run
at.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEtiNxlTJ8I

IG2 Task 1
13
Concept In game theory, a solution concept is a formal
rule for predicting how a game will be played. -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solution_concept
A concept of the game will
help us predict how our game
will be played; allowing us to
make sure the end result
won’t be terrible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmMXXC_TdU0
Event What are events? Basically, these are discreet
moments in the game loop where things are
made to happen based on what you have
programmed for them. -
http://docs.yoyogames.com/source/dadiospice/0
00_using%20gamemaker/events/index.html
We need events in order for
certain stuff to trigger and
keep the flow of the game
running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACt9AWf-GHQ

IG2 Task 1
14
Path finding Path finding in the context of video
games concerns the way in which a moving entity
finds a path around an obstacle -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding#In_vide
o_games
If we have complex levels in
our game, the AI will need a
decent level of path finding in
order to move around
without running into walls or
staying stationary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJSz5c4VGk

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