Difference between revisions of "PC gaming glossary"
Masked Turk (talk | contribs) m (→Video Games) |
Hungry eyes (talk | contribs) |
||
Line 192: | Line 192: | ||
| 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. | | 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. | ||
| | | | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | ===Piracy and Software Modification=== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 1000px;" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="200" | Terminology | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="150"| Abbreviations/Synonyms | ||
+ | ! scope="col" width="500" | Definition | ||
+ | ! scope="col" | Example | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! scope="row" | | ||
+ | [[Wikipedia:Software cracking|{{Anchor|Software Cracking|Software_Cracking}}]] | ||
+ | | Cracking | ||
+ | |Software cracking is the removal or disabling (often illegally) of software [[Gaming Glossary#Digital_Rights_Management|DRM]] features deemed undesirable by a user, such as the need for a product key or CD check, or to convert demo or trial software into the full version. The vast majority of cracks are issued by private individuals, but notable examples do exist where official crack [[Gaming Glossary#Patch|patches]] are released by developers to improve performance or to minimise user-base discontent. | ||
+ | | No-CD Crack | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 328: | Line 343: | ||
| [[Evil Genius#Official_Patches|Evil Genius]] official/unofficial patches | | [[Evil Genius#Official_Patches|Evil Genius]] official/unofficial patches | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|} | |} | ||
[[Category:Guide]] | [[Category:Guide]] |
Revision as of 11:47, 29 April 2012
The following is a list of common terminology and respective definitions in circulation with relevance to PC gaming. It is designed for use as a tool for beginners, and the experienced who wish to improve their knowledge, or link to a specific definition in an article on this wiki.
To link to a specific definition, you must add the following to your article:
[[Gaming Glossary#DEFINITION_ANCHOR_HERE|Your text here]]
Definition anchors are the same as their respective entry in the Terminology column, however, terms with multiple words must be split in the anchor with an underscore ("_").
Computer Graphics
Artifacts and Distortion
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
A form of image distortion that occurs on the outline of objects when representing a high resolution image at a lower resolution; common in 3D imaging. It is often resolved using anti-aliasing. | |||
Screen Tearing, Tearing | An image artifact whereby two different images from two different frames are displayed at the same time, leading to distortion. Screen tearing occurs because the monitor and graphics adaptor act independently of each other, at their own rate. It can be resolved most effectively using vertical sync. |
Image Processing
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
AA | A computer graphics technique that attempts to minimise the distortion artifacts known as aliasing, presented when a high resolution image is displayed at a lower resolution. Anti-aliasing effectively "smooths" these artifacts leaving a visually crisper outline. | ||
A technique for drawing graphics that show fewer examples of screen flicker and tearing. | |||
A similar technique to double buffering, but one that is considerably faster, because triple buffering offers the ability to buffer more than one drawing at once. | |||
Vertical Sync, Vsync | A more effective method of processing used to prevent screen tear. It forces the graphics adaptor to wait until the monitor is ready before the frame is displayed. |
Texture Filtering
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
AF | A form of texture filtering that enhances the image quality of textures that recede into the distance, preventing otherwise blurred environments from impacting on graphical quality. It also eliminates aliasing, and is generally more effective than bilinear and trilinear forms of filtering at reducing blur and preserving detail. | ||
A method of filtering used to smooth textures when displayed larger or smaller than their native resolution. | |||
An extension of Bilinear filtering which is more accurate at smoothing images which have been resized above double their original size, or below half their original size. |
Software
Technical terms with relevance to software licensing, development and support are listed here.
Licensing
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
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. | Re-Volt | ||
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. | Origin | ||
Software Libre, Libre Software | A video game or piece of software which the consumer can use, study, modify, copy and redistribute without restriction. | Linux | |
OSS | Software (usually free) available in source code form, permitting users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software. | Wine | |
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. | TERA | ||
A piece of software whose intellectual property rights have expired, been forfeited, or are no longer applicable. |
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 | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
All activities performed during software development prior to testing - this may include software design and development. | |||
The first phase of software testing, often focused on "white-box testing" - testing the internal structures or workings rather than its functionality. | |||
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). | Closed: Diablo III Beta Open: Minecraft Beta | ||
RC | 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. | ||
RTM, Release To Marketing, Going Gold, Golden Master | Software which has been mass produced and is ready for delivery to the customer. | ||
GA, General Acceptance, First Customer Shipment | 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. | Legend of Grimrock | |
Service Packs, Service Releases, Interim Releases | The software has been released and its developer has begun offering updates to improve its features or fix known bugs or security flaws. | ||
Abandonware | 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. |
Piracy and Software Modification
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Cracking | Software cracking is the removal or disabling (often illegally) of software DRM features deemed undesirable by a user, such as the need for a product key or CD check, or to convert demo or trial software into the full version. The vast majority of cracks are issued by private individuals, but notable examples do exist where official crack patches are released by developers to improve performance or to minimise user-base discontent. | No-CD Crack |
Revenue Models
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Payware | Software that is produced for a user to purchase, or that serves commercial purposes. | The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | |
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. | Naval War: Arctic Circle demo version | ||
F2P | Any video game that has the option to play indefinitely with no charge. | Age of Empires Online | |
Pay-For-Perks | A business model in which users may play a video game without charge, but can access extra or more advanced features for a fee. | Microsoft Flight | |
Software which is available for free use - however it is usually packaged with one or more restrictions on usage rights. | Steam | ||
Trialware, Demoware | Software provided free for use for a limited 'trial period' before purchase, often restricted in functionality, availability and convenience. | EVE Online | |
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. | World of Warcraft |
Use Restrictions
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
DRM | 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. | Product Key |
Types
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Limited Installations | Activation Limit | 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. | Spore |
Online Authentication | 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). | Uplay | |
Serial Key, Software Key, CD-Key | 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. | The Sims 3 serial key | |
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. | Steam games |
Video Games
Only terms with specific relevance to video games and their components are listed here.
Updates and Support
Terminology | Abbreviations/Synonyms | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|---|
DLC, Add-on, Add-on Pack | 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. | Microsoft Flight DLC | |
Expansion | Official additional content for a game that is generally more expansive than DLC. 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. | Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening | |
Mod | 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. | Civilization IV's Rhye's and Fall of Civilization | |
Software Update | A piece of software designed to fix bugs with, or update a computer program. Patches can be "official" - released by the developer; or "unofficial" (fan-made). | Evil Genius official/unofficial patches |