839: Weird Bird Prison
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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.
Extraterrestrials appear in many video games in a variety of styles. Sometimes they're evil, sometimes they're benevolent, and sometimes they're very similar to humans.
Games with stories that involve aliens invading another planet.
The game automatically saves for you when you reach certain points. Implemented in order to reduce frustration for forgetful savers.
Levels that progress forward by themselves at a fixed rate.
A family of vampire hunters and the sworn enemies of Dracula. They are the main protagonists of the Castlevania franchise.
A boss fight is a culminating challenge that pits the player against one or more enemies representing a greater threat and/or difficulty than those previously faced. These scenarios typically feature unique antagonists.
Special codes or button combinations used to gain powers or advantages in a game. Generally hidden.
A point within the game whereby the game saves its current state whether it be for the purpose of a more convenient respawn point or a gameplay design (such as in racing).
Collectibles are items such as coins, rings, gems, packages etc. that can be gathered, usually for some kind of reward, or sometimes to simply beat a level. Often (almost too often) the source of earning achievements and trophies on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Cooperative play in games allows humans to play together as a team to accomplish a task. Instead of playing against a human opponent, the team must defeat an AI. Cooperative Play in some games also means 2 human versus 2 human, this occurs in some Billiards games. (Scotch Doubles / Doubles)
The act of dressing in clothing generally associated with the opposite sex, often employed in video games for comic effect or for sexual excitement.
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.
Sometimes you want a challenge, sometimes you wanna coast.
The 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on July 15-17.
Eggs or cocoons that give way to enemies.
Any weapon that shoots laser and plasma beams or energy bolts rather than conventional bullets.
A powerful release of energy. This energy is usually expelled in all directions very quickly, typically giving off orange or red flames.
Earning an extra life, either by collecting a 1up or by hitting a certain score.
Games that feature an antagonist--someone who opposes the game's protagonist--that is a woman.
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.
Game Over originally appeared in pinball machines, and later, arcade machines. When players lose at a game, it is game over.
In many games there is a ranking system, the players with the highest point value are listed in a "high score" table.
Whether it be a close up shotgun blast, far away sniper rifle, explosive, or backstab, the "one hit kill" is a popular kill strategy. Usually hard to master and even harder to avoid, the instant kill is loved and hated by gamers everywhere.
It's arguably the one move that symbolizes the medium to those outside it. The ability to jump, be it onto a building, a platform, or a skull, is one of the all time most important abilities ever put in a video game.
A leaderboard is a way for players of any multi-player game to know where they rank within the game's community.
The concept of lives in video games evolved to let the player get a second chance after failing once. The most recognizable symbol is the heart.
This concept is for games in which at least one of the main characters is male.
An opponent that typically appears around the halfway point in a level. Mini-Bosses are more formidable than the average opponent, though normally not as tough as the end-level Boss.
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