3DS: Nintendo's latest handheld device that allows players to view games in 3D without glasses. See my blog on the 3DS features.
Adventure Game: Story and puzzle driven games in which players interact with the environment and Non Player Characters (NPC's) to explore the fictional "world". One of the most successful title in the genre was "Myst".
Action-Adventure Game: An adventure game with added "action" features like combat. These types of games usually combine puzzle and story elements with fast-paced physical challenges. Example: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
AI (Artificial Intelligence): The ability of a game to imitate intelligent human behavior. Used for NPC's (see definition) and non-player driven vehicles.
Analog stick: a "stick-like" input device for video game controllers. It allows the control of certain on-screen actions (like movement of a character) depending on how it is moved.
Augmented Reality: A technology that blurs the line between reality and computer generated content by enhancing what the player sees through a console or smart phone's camera. How it works: viewing pre-determined target images through the camera will "trigger" a computer generated 3D image, animation or video that will be overlayed with the real-world view.
Backwards compatible: A gaming system that supports games made for the previous version(s).
Boss: An opponent that is typically more challenging to defeat than the previous enemies in a specific area or level (see mini-bosses or minions). Typically a “boss” character will be the final opponent to beat before the player complets the level and is allowed to progress further into the game.
Bot (also see NPC's): An autonomous computer controlled character used to mimic the effect of other human players participating. Bots can be used as allies or opponents and are often used in training levels for the player to hone his skills before taking on human opponents.
Cheat Code: Some games offer the option of entering codes that affect gameplay such as player character enhancements (unlimited life, amo etc.) or unlock new assets or locations.
C.G. (Computer Graphics): Graphics created and displayed on a computer.
Combo: A combination or sequence of moves strung together for a more powerful effect, mostly seen in fighting and "trick" based sports games like skating. Pulling off a particularly powerful combo requires a player to enter a long and often hard to time sequence like the Mortal Kombat 3 8 hit combo: HK,LK,jump kick, teleport, mental slam, HP,HP, air juggle, fireball.
Console: A hardware device connected to a television set for the purpose of playing a videogame. Some like the PS3 and Xbox 360 also allow you to donwload content and view DVD's.
Co-op: Abbreviation for “cooperative”. Gamemode where players work together to achieve specific goals or defeat a common enemy. Some games offer team vs. modes where players co-operate in one team to defeat the other.
Cut-Scene: Also referred to as cinematic. An animated sequence used to tell the story between gameplay segments. There are two kinds of cut-scenes: In-game and pre-rendered. In game cut-scenes use the game engine to render the story with in-game assets in real-time. Although the player cannot interact with the cut-scene he is sometimes left free to "roam/look" around while the scene is playing. The pre-rendered scenes often use higher resolution graphics to enhance the story moment. They do run the risk of taking the player "out of the moment" if there is a perceived visual discrepancy between the game moments and the cut-scene.
Developer: the team/studio responsible for the deelopment/creation of a game. Independent developers are often hired by publishers to develop a game for them but outlets like XBLA, PSn for consoles, or Steam for PC as well as the android and iphone marketspace have given developers more opportunities to fund and publish games themselves. "Angry birds" is a successful example of a self-published game. Large publishers will often have "internal" developement teams that they own.
D-pad: (direction pad) a flat, cross shaped button on a controller or handheld device used to control a game. The cross is mapped to up, down, left, and right.
Drafting: A racing term also used in racing game which refers to the action of tucking behind another car or motorcycle to take advantage of the ensuying aerodynamic effect. Mainly used in sim games like NASCAR and Formula One as a strategic element to gain speed and pass the opponent.
Drifting: A racing term also used in racing games where the driver/player intentionally induces oversteer by applying the brakes while accelerating to kick out the back end of the car and slide around a corner. This maneuver allows the players to take a tighter turn at higher speed.
DS: Nintendo’s handheld game system, so called because of it’s “Dual (upper and lower) Screens.”
Dual Shock: The brand name for the PlayStation controller, so called because it features dual analog sticks, and provides tactile feedback using small electric motors to shake (“shock”) the controller. The brand has been updated twice, the Dual Shock 2 for PlayStation 2 added pressure sensitive buttons, and the Dual Shock 3 for PlayStation 3 is a wireless controller that is also motion-sensitive. (definition from "What they Play")
Easter Egg: a hidden bonus item, character or story element in the game. Finding or unlocking it usually requires the player to leave the main path to explore hidden options.
End-user: player.
Engine: The core software system used to develop a game for various platform. The most known is the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology in games like Mass Effect (1 and 2). Other popular engines are Id Tech and Infinity for console and PC's and Unity for PC and mobile devices (although it can also be used for console development).
ESRB: “Entertainment Software Rating Board.” A self-regulatory organization founded in 1994 to assign age and content ratings for games. Discussed in my first blog.
Experience Points: In role-playing or adventure games “experience points” (often abbreviated as XP) are awarded for successfully completing specific tasks, quests or being victorious in combat. The accumulation of these points usually allows the player character to gain new levels and become more powerful.
Finishing Move: A final, fatal blow delivered at the end of a fight usually in a particularly floury fashion. The term was popularized by the Mortal Kombat fighting games series. The gruesome nature of some of these moves like tearing off heads or impaling opponents created outrage amidst parents and led to the creation of the ESRB.
FPS: (First Person Shooter) A fast paced game experienced through the player character's view in which the primary goal is to shoot things. Example: MoH (Medal of Honor) and CoD (Call of Duty), Crysis 2.
Frag: Slang for shooting and killing someone in a game.
Friend code: Nintendo’s method of identifying players on the Wii console, and DS handheld when connecting to online games through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Friend codes are 12 digit strings that are generated by identifiers unique to a copy of a game, and to the specific console or handheld it is being played on. Exchanging friend codes allows players to play against each other online, and find each other again during subsequent sessions.
The same copy of a game will generate a different friend code when played on a different piece of hardware. These measures, while significantly more complex than similar friend management tools on other consoles, are said by Nintendo to "preserve users’ privacy." Many gamers criticize them for being needlessly complex, and for making buddy list organization unnecessarily difficult. (Definition from "What they Play")
Genre: The subject, or topic of the game, such as “sports” or “adventure.” Most games are now hybrids integrating more than one genre like an RPG-shooter.
God Game: A strategic game, usually viewed from above, thus called because if allows the player to build and control a world and its inhabitants as if playing “God.”
God Mode: A mode that makes the player invincible. Usually unlocked by some kind of cheat.
Gold: A term that refers to a game having been completed and gone through all the testing and certification processes and is ready to go to manufacturing.
G.U.I. (Graphical User Interface): sometimes simply referred to as U.I. Visual elements (icons etc.) that allow the player to interact with the game.
Hack: A modification to the code of a game to make it behave differently. See the blog on online games and the Hot coffee hack.
Hardcore: "Hardcore gamers" identify themselves as being particularly passionate and skilled about playing games. This is also used in video games marketing to identify the most active and vocal fan base.
Henchmen: RPG term for NPC characters that can be added to a party (group controlled by the player). Once added these henchmen can perform basic tasks given by the player like attack, search for traps etc.)
HUD: (Head-Up Display) method in which important gameplay information (like health, or available ammunition) is overlaid on top of the action.
Kinect: Microsoft's motion detection device with facial recognition that allows players to interact with the Xbox 360 menus and games that support the application with "the wave of a hand" or "the sound of your voice". I will be posting a future blog on the applications (and some of the concerns about) the kinect.
Leet: Slang term derived from the word “elite” used to describe a player’s prowess. The term is written in a number of ways as in “l33t,” “l3e7” or even as a number, “133
Level: A contained segment of a game. Think of it as a chapter in a book or a scene in a movie. Beating a level is usually required to progress to the next, often more challenging one.
Level up: Mainly used in RPG's and some adventure games. By completing specific in-game tasks and/or being successful in combat players will be rewarded with experience points. When sufficient points are accumulated the player is able to “level up” their character thus increasing his existing abilities or gaining new ones.
Loot: items awarded when successfully completing a task or quest. It also describes beneficial or coveted items that can be discovered in a game's environment through exploration.
Lore: Term used to describe the extensive backstory generated for a video game world to create more depth and immersion. World of Warcraft has extensive background stories (also sometimes referred to as cannons) for various regions and classes.
Mini boss: players fighting their ways through levels often find themselves confronted with a series of lesser opponents controlling minions before confronting the final boss of the level.
Minion: less powerful characters controlled by opponents. They are often relatively easy to defeat but will challenge the player by their numbers.
MMO: (Massively Multiplayer Online) – a type of online game in which a large number of people tthroughout the world can play together. Example: Dragonage Legends.
M.M.O.R.P.G. (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) Similar to an MMOG, but in which the gamer takes the part of a character. (see RPG) Example: World of Warcraft (WoW) and Everquest.
Mod: An abbreviation for the term “modification”. Some developers will include part of their tools and code for the fans to create their own adventure or modify part of the existing game. Mods are most prevalent in PC games. Examples: Neverwinter Nights, Little Big Planet, Fallout 3. See my blog on multiplayer games.
Multiplayer: A game that more than one person can play at the same time. Local multiplayer games can only be played on the same console using multiple controllers. Online multiplayer games allow players to connect over the internet to play together. See my blog on multiplayer games.
Multi-tap: A device used to connect multiple controllers (typically four) to a single port. Used to facilitate multiplayer games that support more players than the device on which it plays has controller slots.
NDS: Abbreviation for Nintendo DS.
Newbie/noob: Used to describe an inexperienced player or to put down another player’s skills. Spelled in various ways as in “newbie,” “newb,” “noob,” “n00b,” or “n3w8.”
Nunchuk: A add-on device that plugs into the Wii remote to provide analog stick functionality.
NPC (Non-Player character): A character controlled by the game's artifical intelligence instead of a player. The NPC can display simple behavior (like walking a pre-determined path and avoiding obstacles) or allow for complex interactions (reacting to player behavior in a realistic fashion by attacking, hiding, running, ducking etc.)
Open world: A game environment that allows players to roam freely and experience the various adventures and quests in no pre-determined order. Although open worlds often have an overarching storyline and aren't completely open they give players more freedom than the linear structure an adventure game for example would provide. Example: Oblivion, Fallout 3.
Own: The act of dominating (and often humiliating) another player, or character. Also spelled "pwn" or "p0wn."
Peripheral: A piece of hardware (such as a hard drive, or memory card) added to a computer or video game console to provide additional functions.
PK (Player Killer): Someone who thrives on killing other players, usually weaker ones. Some online games have separate zones that do not allow players to attack other players to prevent this kind of abuse against newbies. (See PvE vs. PVP)
Platform Game/Platformer: A type of game requiring a mix of timed running, jumping, and fighting elements while advancing through various levels. It often includes item collection for additional points and/or lives while progressing through a scrolling background. A classic example is the the old Super Mario series on Gameboy. A modern version is "Little Big Planet" which even allows players to create their own levels.
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| Super Flash Mario Bros |
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| Little Big Planet 2 |
PS1: Abbreviated name for Sony’s original PlayStation, later rebranded as the PSone.
PS2: Abbreviated name for Sony’s PlayStation 2 console.
PS3: Abbreviated name for Sony’s PlayStation 3 console.
PSN: Abbreviation for the “PlayStation Network,” the free online service that can be accessed from the PlayStation 3. The service covers two key areas of connectivity, the first is the ability to play online multiplayer games, and manage a list of friends you like to play with, and the second is the PlayStation Store. From the store, players can download demos and videos of games, as well as purchase full products for both the PlayStation 3, and the PSP. Add-ons and expansion packs for existing games can also be purchased and downloaded from the store. (definition from "What they Play")
PSP: PlayStation Portable. Sony's handheld device.
PVP: Abbreviation for "player versus player."
PVE: Abbreviation for "player versus environment." This restricts the player's competition against the computer-controlled characters and opponents in a game world.
Pwned: To “pwn” is to “own.” A slang term that implies dominance over, or humiliation of another player. The term is used for mockery, and is essentially used the same way as the term “owned” from which it is derived. The term is often used creatively, and in a variety of ways, such “you got pwned” or “total pwnage.” (definition from "What they Play")
Quest: A task given to the player within a game, often yielding some form of reward.
Racer/Racing Game: A game in which the main objective is to race some kind of vehicle against human opponents or the AI.
Raids: A term used primarily in online games such as Everquest or World of Warcraft. It describes a large group of players working together to complete a specific quest or goal.
Real-time: A game (typically one of a tactical, or strategic nature) where the action unfolds without pause or interruption.
RPG (Role Playing Game) A game in which a player will create a character and role play through the adventure. Examples: Neverwinter Nights series, Fallout series, Mass Effect 2.
RTS (Real Time Strategy): A game based on the strategic use of units and resources to defeat an opposing army. If often invlves developing bases and technology while balancing defensive and offensive actions ie building up your army vs. protecting your base. The game is played without interruption and typically viewed from above (similar to a God game). The player controls the movements, orders, and production of all units, and the action is played out without pause or interruption. Example: Age of Empires series, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II.
Rush: In both real-time strategy, and first person shooter games a “rush” is a fast attack used very early on in the game to attempt to surprise and overwhelm an opponent. It’s also sometimes referred to as “swarming,” or “Zerging.” (definition from "What they Play")
Sandbox: A game in which the player has the freedom to explore the world at his own pace and accept any quests or follow any objecties within the game with no pre-determined order. Sandbox games are also referred to as non-linear or open-ended. Example: Grand Theft Auto series.
Screenshot: A still image captured from a game often used for marketing purposes.
Simulation game: Often abbrevitated as "Sim". Games that attempt to accurately depict situations and experiences one might have in the real world. Racing games for example are often divided into sim and arcade games. The sim versions like GTA using realistic physics while the arcade racing games like NFS (Need for Speed) use simpler or exagerated physics. Example: Cities in Motion. Also refers to EA's series "The Sims" in which players can create characters in a real-world environment.
Side-quest: a shorter optional quest that can be performed for additional rewards.
Shooter: A game where the primary object is to shoot things.
Shoulder buttons: The buttons on the upper edge of a controller and usually accessed with your "trigger" fingers.
Sixaxis: The brand name for the motion-sensitive PlayStation 3 controller, so called because it has the ability to sense rotational and translational movement along all three dimensional axes (meaning you can twist it, or you can move it up and down, or in and out relative to the screen) – thus providing six degrees of motion sensitivity. (definition from "What they Play")
Side-scroller: A game where the action is typically rendered using two-dimensional graphics in a scene that “scrolls” by from left to right.
Skin: The texture applied to a character or objects. Some games like "The Sims" will allow the players to "reskin" their characters or furniture ie give them a different appearance/look.
Spoiler: Information that discloses vital plot or gameplay elements that could ruin the element of surprise. Forums will often have a "spoiler alert" if a message contains such information.
Strategy: A game where forward thinking, and decision-making skills are rewarded over quick reactions or good aim. Strategy games are usually divided into real-time strategy, and turn-based strategy games.
Strategy Guide: A step by step guide to completing a game. Strategy guides can be found online at fan websites or gaming websites such as IGN.com or in book form from publishers like Brady Games, or Prima. Some players will also post youtube guides to specific levels showing how they beat them.
Stealth: Type of game that relies on patience, and avoiding detection to complete mission objectives, rather than shooting, or fast-paced action. The genre was popularized by the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
Survival Horror: A genre of game where players must survive against hordes of undead, or supernatural enemies, popularized by the Resident Evil franchise.
Swarming: In both real-time strategy, and first person shooter games “swarming” is a fast attack used very early on in the game to attempt to surprise and overwhelm an opponent. It’s also sometimes referred to as “Rushing,” or “Zerging.”
Stealth: A type of game in which remaining undetected is one of the main features. Metal Gear Solid is a series of games involving stealth.
Tactical : A game in which the player must use tactics and strategies to survive and complete the game's objectives. Often turn based. Some of them include co-operative strategies with other players.
Third-person: A perspective in which the player has an overhead view of the characters and events within the game.
Tank: Used as both a noun, and as a verb. A "Tank" is a character or player whose primary role is to absorb damage, and prevent fellow players from being attacked. The act of "tanking" is for a player to put himself in harms way, and hold back an assault like a shield.
Teabagging: A display of dominance performed during online multiplayer games. The victorious player will straddle the corpse of the losing player, and use the "crouch" function to squat over the head of the fallen soldier as though rubbing his genitalia in its face. So called as it loosely resembles the act of dunking a tea bag into a cup. (definition from "What they Play")
Third Party: A hardware or software company that makes products for another’s hardware platform. For example, Electronic Arts is a third party publisher for the PlayStation 3.
Third person: Where the point of view used allows the player to see his playable character.
Top-down: A description of a game in which the action is viewed from above.
Troll/Trolling: A troll is someone who is deliberately provocative in an attempt to stir up controversy. The act of “trolling” is to be purposely inflammatory.
Turn-Based: A tactical or strategic game where players take turns making their moves as in a game of chess. This is opposed to real-time games where players can play simultaneously and where time is of the essence. Example: Shogun 2: Total War.
Vertical-scroller: A game where the action is typically rendered using two-dimensional graphics in a scene that “scrolls” by from top to bottom. Mostly used in small flash games now. Example: the old Super Mario bros game.
Virtual Life Game: a game that re-creates a real-world envrironment with "realistic" characters and interactions. Example: The Sims franchise, Second Life.
Wiimote: Nickname for the Nintendo Wii remote controller. The Wiimote is a slim, wireless unit with motion-sensing capabilities.
Wiki: A website that allows users to collaborate on the creation and editing of content. Often used to share hints and tips on how to complete tasks in a game as well as background stories for the world or characters. One of the most extensive gaming wikis maintined by fans is the Wowwiki.
WOOT: The origin is said to be "wow, loot." Used to express excitement. There are numerous spellings including those using zeroes in place of the letter “o.”
WoW (World of Warcraft): The most successful massively multiplayer online game to date. Discussed here.
Xbox Live: Microsoft’s online gaming service for the Xbox 360 (and original Xbox) console. Two services are available: The basic “Xbox Live free” service which allows players to go online, download games, add-ons and demos, and connect with other players through text, audio or video chat. The “Gold” level costs $7.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) in the United States and allows players to play online against other Gold subscribers, wach HD movies from Netflix and use Video Kinekt, Facebook and Twitter on the TV. Note that Xbox Live is currently the only service to charge players for online gaming. The service has since been extended to the Windows 7 phones.
XP: Abbreviation of “Experience Points.”
Zerging: In both real-time strategy, and first person shooter games “Zerging” is a fast attack used very early on in the game to attempt to surprise and overwhelm an opponent. It’s also sometimes referred to as “Swarming,” or “Rushing.” The term “Zerging” is a reference to the popular real-time strategy game Starcraft, in which the alien race called the Zerg are used to overwhelm opponents with their prolific number.
