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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 computer sub-system which automatically guides your vessel.
A barrel roll is a maneuver in which an object makes a complete rotation on its longitudinal axis while following a helical path, approximately maintaining its original direction.
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)
Damage modelling is used to show damage that has been inflicted. Damage can be modelled on game object so long as the game's engine will allow for it
Environments cycle between day and night, often with effects on other aspects of the game.
A destructible environment means the player has the ability to destroy his/her surroundings. This allows players to use the environment to their advantage.
The act of aerial combat between two or more fighter aircraft. A common occurrence in many combat flight games, it is the equivalent of a firefight in a first- or third-person shooter.
A powerful release of energy. This energy is usually expelled in all directions very quickly, typically giving off orange or red flames.
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.
A combat maneuver in which one attacks or threatens the side of an enemy unit or formation. Used primarily to negate cover or gain a tactical advantage by attacking from an unexpected direction.
It's not just for airplanes anymore: Game mascots and MMO players alike have taken to the skies. Players can use flight to quickly navigate large levels, find hidden items, or take opponents down.
A heads-up display is a graphical overlay of vital information used in most modern games.
Armed forces. The arm of government that deals with fighting wars and protecting a nation from external or internal threats
Much like a map editor but with the ability to design ones own missions; first seen used in Operation Flashpoint series
Combat between ships dates back to antiquity, and in the 20th century expanded to include the use of aircraft.
Games which allow players to interact with others over the internet.
Non-linear level design where the player is able to freely traverse the game world and choose where and when to visit certain areas in the game.
Third-party developers and publishers occasionally engage in the practice of releasing a title or piece of DLC on only one platform for any number of reasons. Sometimes these are permanent while others are only platform exclusive for a certain window of time.
Games which feature randomly generated missions, quests and/or tasks
Realism is where a game attempts to accurately mimic real life through gameplay mechanics and visuals. For example, realistic shooters, such as Operation Flashpoint, Full Spectrum Warrior, or Brothers in Arms, typically focus upon squad tactics, i.e. suppressive fire and flanking.
The "kick back" from a gun. Causes the muzzle of your gun and crosshair to rise when fired. It promotes firing in smaller bursts, and forces the player to push the crosshair down to counter act the force of the recoil.
Why go it alone when you can roll with a team? Squad Tactics let you issue commands to a whole crew of A.I controlled squad mates, who can(among other things) plant bombs, fire at specific targets, take cover, and talk smack.
A digital distribution service owned by Valve Corporation. Originally created to distribute Valve's own games, Steam has since become the de facto standard for digital distribution of PC games.
The act of killing a fellow teammate in a game, to boost score or just for fun. This often results in being booted from games, and several games allow the server to do this automatically.
Primarily found in mouse-driven computer games, tooltips are an interface element that display information while the cursor is placed over particular on-screen elements.
Vehicular combat combines driving and combat to form a unique fast paced action game. Many games are purely vehicular combat based (e.g. Twisted Metal or Vigilante 8) or can contain have sections for such combat (e.g. Halo or Mass Effect).
War is a series of organized conflicts carried on by force of arms between two or more nations or groups. Whether it never changes or has already changed is up for debate.
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