Colin McRae Rally 3

Abandonware

Abandonware refers to computer software that is no longer sold nor supported, sometimes because of unclear copyright ownership reasons.

Auto-Save

The game automatically saves for you when you reach certain points. Implemented in order to reduce frustration for forgetful savers.

Bink Video

A proprietary video codec (.bik/bk2 extension) developed by RAD Game Tools and used in a very large number of video games.

Bumper Cam

A view point or camera angle that's fixed on the vehicles front bumper.

Burnout

Forced Wheel spin where the brake is applied and the gas pedal is floored, therefore spinning the tires, then releasing the brake for a small boost. Not meant to be done, but a popular showboating technique.

Celebrity Tie-in

Games prominently featuring celebrities, who either endorse the game or act as the focus of the story. Games with characters who happen to be played by celebrities are not always tie-ins.

Character Models Based on Actual People

Sometimes, rather than building a character model from scratch, a developer will sometimes use a real person as a template and use his or her physical attributes to create a similar character model to be used in their video game. In some cases that real reason will appear as themselves in games.

Cheat Code

Special codes or button combinations used to gain powers or advantages in a game. Generally hidden.

Cornering

The art of taking corners is an essential element for any good racing driver, and it is a technique that must be mastered in order to produce the fastest times on track.

Countdown Timer

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.

Cutscene

A non-interactive sequence within a game most often used for plot advancement.

Dashboard View

Dashboard view puts the player in the helmet of the driver. Usually in cars or other vehicles. Most commonly in next-gen racing games and shooting games which have vehicles

Difficulty Level

Sometimes you want a challenge, sometimes you wanna coast.

Disqualification

E3 2002

The 2002 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California on May 22-24.

Greatest Hits

Greatest hits is a general term for re-releases of games which have sold a certain number of copies, as part of a program managed by the console manufacturer.

High Score

In many games there is a ranking system, the players with the highest point value are listed in a "high score" table.

Horses

Equines that go 'neigh' and tend to eat hay. Some are the stars of motion pictures. The truest of companions to many adventurers.

Laps

A lap is one circuit around a race track. This is featured in many, but not all racing games.

Leaderboard

A leaderboard is a way for players of any multi-player game to know where they rank within the game's community.

Licensed Cars

Games that obtained permission to feature real-life licensed car brands.

Loading Screen

Loading Screens are specific screens that are displayed while a game is loading resources so that the player has something to distract them while the game loads. Loading Screens can be images, text or even mini-games - and sometimes a combination of all three.

Polygonal 3D

Who needs 2D when we've got 3D? 3D, or 3 dimensions, is what we're used to seeing in almost every game these days, letting us do all sorts of awesome stuff like run in circles!

Rally

A rally is generally any race involving a series of progressive check points, as opposed to laps around a defined track.

Repairing

The act of repairing damaged items or weapons.

Snow

Crunchy frozen water fallen from the sky. Many games feature a snow world, a snow level, or otherwise-connected regions of wintery landscapes.

Tournament

An organized series of matches, ending with one victor.

Unlockables

Extra objects, characters, or content in a game that can only be accessed after completing a certain task such as completing the game, or by using cheat codes.

Upgradeable Vehicles

The ability, through purchasing, winning, unlocking, or other means, to change your vehicle (usually for the better). Changes can be alterations to original vehicle or a completely new vehicle.

Voice Acting

Voice Acting is the art of providing voices for characters in games, television shows, films, radio programs, and other forms of media.