Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 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: Keaton Bradley

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 demonstration or preview 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

A demo is a taster of the game you want to play so you can see what it’s like before you purchase it.

this image relates to this because it had a demo game.Beta It is a test to make sure the game works, runs smoothly, to find

bugs and glitches, and other stuff along those lines. Most people that launch Beta versions eventually make them into normal play.https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081019143302AAIBseY

Beta is one of the early stages in making a game it usually goes out to a handful of the public to test it and find bugs in the game.

this game was in beta as you can see

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Alpha A very early version of a software product that may not contain all of the features that are planned for the final version. Typically, softwaregoes through two stages of testing before it is considered finished. The first stage, called alpha testing, is often performed only by users within the organization developing the software. The second stage, called beta testing , generally involves a limited number of external users. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/alpha_version.html

Alpha is the earliest stage the public will ever get to play the game to check it for bugs and glitches.

this image relates because it was in alpha at the time.Pre-Alpha Pre-alpha is basically implementing all the systems and features

in the game. Once all those systems are in the game then they move on to Alpha. http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/440511.page

Pre alpha is where the Q&A tester play the game and get it perfected as much as possible.

this game is here again because it was in pre alpha at the time.

Gold The final release of a game The final release of a game

this is the finished product of the batman game

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Debug Identify and remove errors from (computer hardware or software) http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/debug

Debugging is where you take the faults out of the game.

this is an image of a screen which is debugging

Automation In software testing, test automation is the use of special software (separate from the software being tested) to control the execution of tests and the comparison of actual outcomes with predicted outcomes.[1] Test automation can automate some repetitive but necessary tasks in a formalized testing process already in place, or add additional testing that would be difficult to perform manually. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_automation

Animation is where the characters will move to do this you usually need software to programme these animations in to the player models.

this is the older version of the software used to animate characters in games.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

White-Box Testing

a method of testing software that tests internal structures or workings of an application, as opposed to its functionality (i.e. black-box testing). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-box_testing

White box testing is where they test to see how strong something is.

this is a diagram to show what white box testing is.

Bug A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer programor system that causes it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Software _ bug

A bug is basically something whats not supposed to be in the game and needs to be removed.

as you can clearly see this games has encountered a bug/glitch that is how this image relates.

GAME ENGINES

Vertex Shader

A vertex shader is a graphics processing function used to add special effects to objects in a 3D environment http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/feature_vertexshader.html

Vertex shader basically adds effects to 3D models.

the vertex shader is is clearly coming in to play here it Is why I chose this image.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

GAME ENGINES

Pixel Shader The name used to describe the method in which a GPU applies textures and renders pixels to the display. Pixel Shaders are used to give a more realistic look to objects, such as reflections. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/Pixel_Shader.html

Pixelshaders are used to make things look real.

you can see how 3d and kind of realistic it is this is because of the pixel shader.

Post Processing

processing after other processes have been completed https://www.wordnik.com/words/post-processing

Queuing processes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKKauMvARok

Rendering rendering is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSoftware_rendering&ei=f60JVLezJLOg7AaJ3YHQCw&usg=AFQjCNHRFu-z3-3AVK7ELgcF-xUTky6FpA&sig2=e6k8WxpOWS1genMxNc5-_w

Generating an image https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dOIju7--Jg

Normal Map

angent: Bakes a normal map that is independent of view, and is thus the best choice for animation. Object: Bakes normals in the object's coordinates, and can be moved, but not deformed. Camera: Bakes normals with the old method, meaning you cannot deform or move the object. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwiki.blender.org%2Findex.php%2FDoc%3A2.4%2FManual%2FTextures%2FInfluence%2FMaterial%2FBump_and_Normal&ei=hK4JVPD-LbCg7Abz8YDwDg&usg=AFQjCNGaYR_VxktgWpZTKKHUvMz2FbI9nA&sig2=zdVKDAkn1hmc0zzHZ7XDRA

Normal mapping is the best for animation

here you can see the normal mapping in work.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Entity In relation to a database , an entity is a single person, place, or thing about which data can be stored.http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/entity

an entity is a single person

this is how an entity works.UV Map UV mapping is the 3D modeling process of making a 2D image

representation of a 3D model." 3D models are graphed in 3D space using X, Y and Z axis to describe width (X), height (Y) and Depth (Z) coordinates of the 3d scene or 'world'. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.makehuman.org%2Fdoc%2Fnode%2Fconsidering_uv_mapping.html&ei=Va8JVJyuEKOI7Aas8IGAAg&usg=AFQjCNHLqmYE5ZxbYWxLQM1_fuAGu4rYlQ&sig2=E2_m79zLQD1wR0MoKKTtqA

UV mapping is the 3D modeling process of making a 2D image representation of a 3D model

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Procedural Texture

Procedural textures are textures that are defined mathematically. They are generally relatively simple to use, because they don't need to be mapped in a special way - which doesn't mean that procedural textures can't become very complex. http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.4/Manual/Textures/Types/Procedural

Procedural textures are textures that are defined mathematically.

you can see the procedural textures are not very complex so you get a simple looking game.

Physics A physics engine is general used to describe a software program that is used to simulate physical phenomena. One of the first uses of a physics engine was for simulating where artillery shells would land based on their weight, force behind the firing of the shells, and angle of the firing. Since then, it has also been used to help in the design of aircraft and watercraft, as well as vehicles. http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/physics-engine.htm

A physics engine is general used to describe a software program that is used to simulate physical phenomena

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5UvHzZiVY

Collision The meeting of particles or of bodies in which each exerts aforce upon the other, causing the exchange of energy or momentum. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/collision

The meeting of particles or of bodies in which each exerts aforce upon the other, causing the exchange of energy or momentum

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Collision_carts_inelastic.gif

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

LightingHigh-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.

Graphics processor company NVidia summarizes the motivation

for HDRR in three points: bright things can be really bright, dark

things can be really dark, and details can be seen in both.

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.

Graphics processor

company NVidia summarizes the

motivation for HDRR in three points: bright

things can be really bright, dark things can

be really dark, and details can be seen in

both.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

AA – Anti-Aliasing

Smooth Out Gaming Graphics with Anti-Aliasing. Whitson Gordon. If you play a lot of games and find that jagged edges drive you crazy despite your high resolution, anti-aliasing may help you out. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifehacker.com%2F5672122%2Fsmooth-out-gaming-graphics-with-anti-aliasing&ei=UnMRVPKsCsiR7Aab3YGgDw&usg=AFQjCNFjv227ItoK6qh8LTmW2bTQOx32uA&sig2=ocUCNl82s4gsj2d4LgCGCg

Smooths out gaiming

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. Given the power of modern processors, very little degradation in the level of detail is noticeable anymore. http://www.techopedia.com/definition/11791/level-of-detail-lod

The better this is the better the models will look

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Animation A simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures, or frames. Cartoons on television is one example of animation. Animation on computers is one of the chief ingredients of multimediapresentations. There are many software applications that enable you to create animations that you can display on a computer monitor. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/animation.htm

Animation is making a character move in a game.

Sprite a computer graphic which may be moved on-screen and otherwise manipulated as a single entity https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+sprite

a computer graphic which may be moved on-screen and otherwise manipulated as a single entity

Scene  Something seen by a viewer; a view or prospect. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/scene

Something which is visible in game

this is a scene from one of my favourite game.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Library A game library is like a real library in some sense, in a real library you would store book but in a game engines library you store vital things to the game such ass 3D player models, levels, script and weapons ect.

A game library is like a real library in some sense, in a real library you would store book but in a game engines library you store vital things to the game such ass 3D player models, levels, script and weapons ect.

this image is relevant because it’s the same idea as a game engine library where everything is stored in one place

UIThe user interface, in the industrial design field of human–

machine interaction, is the space where interactions between

humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is

effective operation and control of the machine on the user's

end, and feedback from the machine, which aids the operator in

making operational decisions. Examples of this broad concept of

user interfaces include the interactive aspects of

computer operating systems, hand tools,heavy

machinery operator controls, and process controls. The design

considerations applicable when creating user interfaces are

related to or involve such disciplines

as ergonomics and psychology.

Generally, the goal of human-machine interaction engineering is

to produce a user interface which makes it easy (self

The UI is and interface you can use. Its usually like start menus and pause menus.

this is a UI I in a game called the witcher.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

explanatory), efficient, and enjoyable (user friendly) to operate a

machine in the way which produces the desired result. This

generally means that the operator needs to provide minimal

input to achieve the desired output, and also that the machine

minimizes undesired outputs to the human.

With the increased use of personal computers and the relative

decline in societal awareness of heavy machinery, the term user

interface is generally assumed to mean the graphical user

interface, while industrial control panel and machinery control

design discussions more commonly refer to human-machine

interfaces. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_interfaceFrames A key frame in animation and filmmaking is a drawing

that defines the starting and ending points of any smooth transition. The drawings are called "frames" because their position in time is measured in frames on a strip of film.Key   frame   - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The more frames there is in a second the better the game will run.

the frames per second deciphers how smooth the game will run.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Concept   an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concept

Concept art is art released before the game and its of characters and buildings.

this is concept art for a game.Event A thing that happens or takes place, especially one of

importance http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/event

Gamescom is a large games event.

this is gamescom it is a gaming event.

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Salford City CollegeEccles Sixth Form CentreBTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGNUnit 73: Sound For Computer GamesIG2 Task 1

Pathfinding Pathfinding or pathing is the plotting, by a computer application, of the shortest route between two points. It is a more practical variant on solving mazes. This field of research is based heavily on Dijkstra's algorithm for finding the shortest path on a weighted graph.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding

Pathfinding or pathing is the plotting, by a computer application, of the shortest route between two points. It is a more practical variant on solving mazes. This field of research is based heavily on Dijkstra's algorithm for finding the shortest path on a weighted graph.

this is an example of a pathfinder.

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