GLOSSARY

To help you get around the gaming world, and to stop the kids laughing at your lack of knowledge, here is a list of common gaming terms:

AFAIK - As Far As I Know, a term seen on forums.

AI - Artificial Intelligence, the behaviour programmed into NPCs (see below).

Anti-Aliasing - Softens jagged edges of things on screen. Can have a serious effect upon frame rate, especially with older graphics cards.

Anisotropic Filtering - A common filtering technique applied to video games that helps improve the perspective of the image shown. Again, can have a serious effect upon frame rates.

BIOS - 'Basic input/output system' - a small program that the computer runs initially on start-up, preparing the PC for loading software.

Bloom Effect - Reproduces an imaging artifact of real-world cameras. Produces fringes of light around very bright objects in an image. Once again, can affect frame rates.

BSOD - 'Blue screen of death' - the error screen that appears on a Windows PC when it encounters a critical system error and has to shut down to prevent damage to the computer. Usually caused by a serious bug in the game - see below.

Bug - A programming error in the game. Often fixed by a patch.

Bump Mapping - A means of applying textures to give the 2D image on screen a more rough (or bumpy) 3D appearance.

Console - Dedicated device for playing video games, usually connected to a television. Also a term for a place in a game where you can input special commands, such as cheat codes.

Cut-scene - Cinematic, non-interactive part of a game, conveying the game's backstory.

Dev - Game developer.

DirectX - A Windows technology that enables higher performance in graphics and sound when you're playing games, used by virtually all PC games.

Draw Distance - The distance away from your character that the game-world is drawn. Reduce to increase frame rate, but items will then 'pop-up' when you approach them. Distant items are 'fogged out'.

DRM - 'Digital Rights Management': essentially, a form of copy protection that restricts access to a game by various means, such as only allowing it to be installed a limited number of times, or requiring a permanent internet connection.

FPS - First Person Shooter (e.g. Half-Life) or Frames Per Second, i.e. the number of still images generated per second, to simulate motion. The higher the FPS, the smoother the motion, although the human eye can generally only see 30 frames per second.

Gamma - Setting that alters the brightness of the screen.

HP - Hit Points. Each character may have a maximum number of hit points. When this number is reached, the character is killed.

Indie Games - Games created by small independent games developers.

Lag - In online gaming, a time delay, usually caused by a slow internet connection.

LAN - Local Area Network

Level Up - In RPGs, when enough XP is accumulated, the player moves up a level, gaining more HP and abilities.

MMORPG - Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game. E.g. World of Warcraft.

Multiplayer - A game that can be played by more than one person at the same time.

NPC - Non-Player Character, i.e. controlled by the computer.

Patch - An update to the game, usually fixing bugs and making minor improvements.

PVP - Player Versus Player - an area where human players can or must attack each other.

RPG - Roleplaying Game. The player takes on the role of a particular player within the game. E.g. Oblivion.

RTFM - READ THE F***ING MANUAL!

RTS - Real-Time Strategy. Strategy game where players can move pieces continuously. E.g. The Age of Empires games.

Sandbox Games - Non-linear games that allow you to make your own choices within the gaming world, and that do not necessarily have an ultimate goal. Example: Grand Theft Auto IV.

Simulation - A game based upon some real-world activity, such as flying, driving, sports etc.

Single player - Err.. a game for one player. Many games have both single player and multiplayer sections.

Spawn - When a player or NPC appears in the game-world. Spawning after being killed is called 'respawning'.

Texture Mapping - Wrapping a 2D image around the frame of an object, to provide the surface appearance of an object rendered in 3D.

Turn-based game - Game where players take turns performing actions, e.g the Civilization games.

Tutorial - Early part of a game focused on teaching players basic skills.

WAD - Working As Designed. A term often seen on forums where one person reports what they think is a bug in the game and another person (perhaps the game designer) replies that it is not a bug - the game is working as designed.

XP - Experience Points. Generally used in RPGs, experience points are gained by the player defeating enemies, completing quests etc. When a certain number are gained, the player will 'level up'.

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