The following is a list of common technical terminology and its respective definitions, as used in reference to video games and gaming-related software.
You may link to a specific definition by adding an anchor to the page name (e.g. [[Gaming_Glossary#Abandonware]]). Note: Definitions with spaces in their titles must be anchored using "_".
Software
Licensing
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Abandonware
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Discontinued software for which there is no support, or whose copyright ownership is unclear. Sharing abandonware is legally considered copyright infringement, however in practice copyright holders rarely enforce their abandonware copyrights.
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Re-Volt
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Closed-Source Software
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Software released or distributed without its corresponding source code - only the binaries of a computer program are distributed and the license provides no access to the program's source code.
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Origin
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Free Software
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Software Libre, Libre Software
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A video game or piece of software which the consumer can use, study, modify, copy and redistribute without restriction.
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Linux
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Open-Source Software
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OSS
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Software (usually free) available in source code form, permitting users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.
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Wine
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Proprietary Software
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A video game or piece of software licensed under the exclusive legal right of the respective copyright holder. The user is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification or redistribution.
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TERA
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Public Domain Software
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A piece of software whose intellectual property rights have expired, been forfeited, or are no longer applicable.
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Life Cycle
Note: The following terminology is listed in order of its place in the software release life cycle, and not alphabetically as with the majority of this page.
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Pre-Alpha
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All activities performed during software development prior to testing - this may include software design and development.
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Alpha
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The first phase of software testing, often focused on "white-box testing" - testing the internal structures or workings rather than its functionality.
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Beta
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The second phase of software testing, generally beginning when the software is "feature complete" (there are exceptions to this, e.g. Minecraft), but may still have significant bugs. The Beta phase may be 'closed' (released to a restricted group of individuals for a user test by invitation) or 'open' (released to a larger group, or anyone interested).
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Closed: Diablo III Beta Open: Minecraft Beta
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Release Candidate
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RC
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A Beta version with potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant issues emerge. By this point in development, all product features have been designed, coded and tested through one or more Beta cycles with no known remaining major bugs.
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Release To Manufacturing
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RTM, Release To Marketing, Going Gold
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Software which has been mass produced and is ready for delivery to the customer.
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General Availability
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GA, General Acceptance, First Customer Shipment
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The point by which all commercialisation activities are complete and the software has been released to the general public through the web or physical media.
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Legend of Grimrock
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Support
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Service Packs, Service Releases, Interim Releases
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The software has been released and its developer has begun offering updates to improve its features or fix known bugs or security flaws.
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End-Of-Life
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Abandonware
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The product is no longer sold or supported, is discontinued or obsolete. However, a user-base may still be active for some time after this.
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Revenue Models
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Commercial Software
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Payware
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Software that is produced for a user to purchase, or that serves commercial purposes.
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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Demo
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A freely available preview or demonstration of an upcoming or released video game, often limited to a selected fraction of the full game's content, in order to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version.
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Naval War: Arctic Circle demo version
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Free-To-Play
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F2P
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Any video game that has the option to play indefinitely with no charge.
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Age of Empires Online
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Freemium
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Pay-For-Perks
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A business model in which users may play a video game without charge, but can access extra or more advanced features for a fee.
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Microsoft Flight
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Freeware
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Software which is available for free use - however it is usually packaged with one or more restrictions on usage rights.
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Steam
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Shareware
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Trialware, Demoware
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Software provided free for use for a limited 'trial period' before purchase, often restricted in functionality, availability and convenience.
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EVE Online
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Subscription Software
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A video game or piece of software for which the user must pay a repeat subscription fee (usually monthly or yearly) to obtain continued access to.
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World of Warcraft
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Use Restrictions
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Digital Rights Management
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DRM
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A method in which digital products, such as games can be controlled with the aim of reducing piracy. It can be implemented in a number of ways.
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Product Key
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Types
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Limited Installations
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Activation Limit
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The player is limited to a specific number of installs (often 3, 5, or 10), after which they must contact the publisher's customer support to acquire more. Developers often release "de-authorisation tools" to return a used activation after the game is uninstalled from that system.
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Spore
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Partial Install
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Online Authentication
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Only a proportion of the game is installed from the disc, with the remainder either being downloaded upon install, or streamed to the game as it runs (requires constant internet connection).
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Uplay
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Product Key
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Serial Key, Software Key, CD-Key
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A software key for a computer program, designed to certify the product as genuine, and restrict piracy. Activation is either undertaken offline, with an unlimited number of installs; or online, often tying the game to a user account and restricting the number of installs.
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The Sims 3 serial key
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User Account
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A purchased game is tied or "bonded" to an online account which requires a login to verify the user's identity. This may require a one time, frequent, or constant internet connection.
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Steam games
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Updates and Support
Terminology
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Abbreviations/Synonyms
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Definition
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Example
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Downloadable Content
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DLC, Add-on, Add-on Pack
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Officially released additional content for a video game, distributed over the web. DLC can range from a new car or outfit to an extensive new storyline, similar in premise to an Expansion Pack.
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Microsoft Flight DLC
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Expansion Pack
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Expansion
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Official additional content for a game that is generally more expansive than Gaming Glossary#Downloadable_Content. Expansion packs may introduce new storylines or map areas. They may be developed by the developer of the original game, however, sometimes they will contract out development of expansion packs to third-party developers.
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Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening
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Modification
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Mod
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Generally unofficial, fan-made software designed to improve upon an existing game. Mods can range in size from graphical exploits to entirely new storylines or game worlds, but they are not standalone software and require the user to possess the original game to use them. Sometimes the original developer will release mods, or modding tools.
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Half Life's Garry's Mod
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Patch
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Software Update
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A piece of software designed to fix bugs with, or update a computer program. Patches can be "official" - released by the game's developer; or "unofficial" (fan-made).
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Evil Genius official/unofficial patches
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