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A game that uses a mixture of 2D & 3D techniques. Commonly used to describe the use of either 3D graphics restricted to a 2D perceptive, or 2D graphics used to fake the appearance of a 3D perceptive.
Sure, these days have almost every game sporting the newfangled 3D, but way back when, everyone had to live with plain old 2D. 2D, or two dimensions, limit the game to scrolling backgrounds, but some games even now make use of this basic concept.
Running at 60 FPS is standard for arcade & PC games, but hardware restrictions of consoles often force developers to aim for lower framerates in order to preserve visual detail or allow greater scale. 3D console games hitting 60 FPS are thus uncommon, though the trend of re-releasing games on newer hardware has technically resulted in more 3D console games hitting 60 FPS.
Some games' graphics are composed of abstract shapes that have no particular meaning outside of their role in the game.
An Arcade-style racer is a game which shoots for a fun and fast-paced experience over trying to simulate real life physics and racing protocol.
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, commonly refers to the programmed behaviors of NPCs in a game, whether it's the fact that a soldier takes cover behind a wall in Gears of War, or that townspeople cheer upon your arrival to their village in Fable.
A mode in which a game will play a gameplay demonstration video as a means to entice players into playing the game.
The game automatically saves for you when you reach certain points. Implemented in order to reduce frustration for forgetful savers.
Be it an “unopenable” door, a sprawling fence, a sudden outcropping of land, an ocean, a cliff (often a deadly ocean/cliff combo,) a broken-down car, an “invisible wall,” or large trees; barriers in video games manifest themselves in a variety of forms (physical and otherwise).
It happens when a character loses a life or has his progress somehow hampered and comes back in a state of temporary invincibility (usually blinking).
The concept of moving blocks around to certain areas such as highlighted squares, or switches, or in order to get past a maze.
Boost takes a game to a new level giving players a greater level of speed. This speed opens up new doors to sports games, driving games, and any game that can benefit from the reward of speed.
In some situations, the default camera quickly switches to a different angle for a specific action. An example of this is when a first-person game shifts to third-person view for a rolling maneuver.
Chiptunes are musical compositions that are synthesized by a computer or console sound chip.
The ultimate pressure feature. Players have to complete the task at hand, be it defeating opponents or cutting the right wire, in the allotted time.
An on-screen countdown timer (typically measured in seconds) that begins once the game has been fully configured and triggered to start. This is distinct from a loading screen, which may occur before and/or after the countdown.
Currency has all forms in video games. It is used to buy characters, vehicles, weapons, and more.
Your current position shows you what place you're in during racing games, events and more!
A Darknut is a armored, knight-like enemy in the Legend of Zelda series. Their weak point is in the back.
The main line of distinction between victory or failure in video games, death is the process of a biological being ceasing to be alive.
Sometimes designers add old-school things on purpose to enhance game design. These games tend to be heavily inspired by hardware limitations of older systems. NES, Atari 2600, and early computer platforms (DOS, Commodore 64, MSX, etc...) are common sources of inspiration.
The concept of purchasing media and having it delivered over the internet. No physical representation of this content is given, and although the content resides on the user's hard drive they are typically granted a license to the product, rather than ownership of it.
Drafting is the term in motorsports for following a car closely. The result of drafting makes for less air resistance, faster speeds, and better fuel mileage.
Drowning in games occurs when a being (not suited to be in water) runs out of oxygen, time, power, or barely even touches the water surface. Further complicated by the local sea-life that can knock the air out of you, should you get close.
Electronic music is one of the broadest classifications of music, and has been a staple of video game soundtracks since the 90s. The genre's main trait is the use of electronic instruments.
Why are bad guys on so many game covers? Perhaps the developers secretly think they're cooler than the good guys.
A line that signals the start or the end of the race. Even though it is used for racing, it could mean any type of racing game.
In games, fire can be an obstacle, a tool, a weapon, or a solution. Just don't play with it...unless you really want to.
Flip screen (or flick-screen) describes a way of dividing the game world into fixed screens, displayed one at a time. It's commonly found in 2D platformers, especially prior to the 16-bit era.
Game Over originally appeared in pinball machines, and later, arcade machines. When players lose at a game, it is game over.
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