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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.
8-bit can be a reference to actual computing power, or it can be a retro look for videogames that want to recall a bygone era.
Achievements are extra challenges added into video games that sometimes carry a point value or unlock bonus material, and are sometimes solely for bragging rights.
Part ad, part game. Advergames are designed to promote a specific brand or product, usually outside the game industry.
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.
Usually refers to the end of the world.
The End of Days. A concept often used in video games. In most games: the protagonists are working to prevent it, although sometimes the goal is to actually bring about Armageddon yourself.
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.
Bonus levels, rounds, or stages give players a chance to gain extra points, powerups, or lives. Occasionally bonus stages will play completely different than the rest of the game, like as a slot machine or pinball minigame.
Bosses are enemies that fight you at the end of a level or at a significant point in the story.
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.
A style of gameplay where players must navigate a vast stream of projectiles.
Chiptunes are musical compositions that are synthesized by a computer or console sound chip.
Video game controversy revolves mostly around the psychological effects that games with graphic violence or sexual content in them can have on players. Other sources of controversy can range from racism, sexism, politics, or religion.
A Cover System is a gameplay mechanic that specifically governs the player's ability to hide behind objects to avoid detection or enemy fire.
A non-interactive sequence within a game most often used for plot advancement.
Dancing is the movement of a body, usually rhythmic and to some kind of music. A lot of times, it happens between two people and may be romantic.
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.
Destructible cover is an increasingly popular feature in shooters, even those without cover systems. It is used to encourage creative tactics both in single-player and multiplayer.
A destructible environment means the player has the ability to destroy his/her surroundings. This allows players to use the environment to their advantage.
Sometimes you want a challenge, sometimes you wanna coast.
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.
These are MMOs that saw retail release but, for whatever reason, have since been shut down.
When the player's actions trigger a change in the game's soundtrack. This adds a cinematic quality to the gameplay.
The 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 2-4.
The 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 15-17.
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.
Evolution marks the progression from one stage to the next.
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