game dev midterm

an electronic game that is viewed on the screen

Video Game

the use of game-design features and gaming principles in non-game situations to solve problems using game mechanics

Gamification

the first stage of game development where concepts such as genre, art style, gameplay mechanics, characters, and engine are decided

Planning

the category or type of game

Genre

decision whether the game will use two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphics

2D or 3D

the visual design approach used in the game

Art Style

the rules and systems that define how the game is played

Gameplay Mechanics

main characters and antagonists in the game

Heroes and Villains

the software framework used to develop a video game

Game Engine

phase where the scope is defined and storyboards and prototypes are created

Pre-production

ensure the art style and color palettes match the theme and genre

Artists

implement mechanics, physics, and object processing

Developers

define technical limitations and performance capabilities

Engineers

manage teams, make final decisions, and keep development aligned

Project Leads

develop scripts, characters, and world-building

Writers

longest and most important stage where the game is fully created including coding, modeling, animation, sound, and dialogue

Production

process of checking for bugs, exploits, performance issues, difficulty problems, and script errors

Testing

beta version prepared for public testing

Pre-launch

official release of the game

Launch

stage involving monitoring, bug fixes, updates, DLC, and balancing patches

Post-launch

challenges or obstacles the player must overcome

Conflict

player decisions that affect outcomes or success rate

Strategy and Chance

the visual and overall appeal of the game

Aesthetics

narrative conveyed through visuals and backstory

Theme and Story

individuals in the story

Characters

sequence of events in the story

Plot

conflict that builds excitement in the story

Tension

conclusion of the story

Resolution

items or achievements earned by players

Rewards

group problem-solving method involving spontaneous sharing of ideas

Brainstorming

visual representation of a story shown scene by scene with notes

Storyboarding

animated storyboard used to test timing and flow of scenes

Animatic

quick to produce, helps make changes, saves time and money, useful reference, creates consensus

Uses of Animatic

camera movement that gives the impression of moving closer or farther from the subject

Zoom

horizontal camera movement while staying in place

Pan

vertical camera movement while staying in place

Tilt

camera moves toward or away from subject on a track

Dolly

camera moves sideways along a fixed path

Truck

camera moves vertically up or down relative to subject

Pedestal

introduces the scene and environment

Establishing Shot

shows character and surrounding scenery

Full Shot

shows subject with visible surroundings

Wide Shot

shows subject from head to below chest

Medium Shot

shows subject from mid-chest upward

Medium Close Up

shows subject from head to waist

Medium Wide Shot

subject appears very small within environment

Extreme Wide Shot

focuses closely on subject detail

Close Up Shot

emphasizes small detail like eyes or mouth

Extreme Close Up Shot

camera placed below subject pointing upward

Up Shot

camera placed above subject pointing downward

Down Shot

shot taken behind another character’s shoulder

Over the Shoulder Shot

frame capturing two characters

Two Shot

shows what a character is seeing

Point of View Shot

continuous wide-angle shot capturing entire scene

Master Shot

2D representation of 3D space where distant objects appear smaller

Perspective View

point where parallel lines appear to converge

Vanishing Point

perspective with one vanishing point

One Point Perspective

perspective with two vanishing points

Two Point Perspective

perspective with three vanishing points

Three Point Perspective

perspective introducing curves using multiple vanishing points

Four and Five Point Perspective

perspective with more than two primary vanishing points

Multi-Point Perspective

tracing rough sketch lines with dark ink to make them clearer

Inking

using shadows to create artistic effect

Shadowing

shading using parallel lines

Hatching

shading using intersecting lines

Cross-Hatching

shading following the form of the object

Contour Shading

shading using dots

Stippling

shading using repeated strokes

Back and Forth

shading using loose circular strokes

Scribbling

technique creating illusion of depth or projection

Foreshortening

visual art used to present ideas before final production

Concept Art

circular diagram showing color relationships

Color Wheel

colors opposite each other on the color wheel

Complementary Colors

different shades of one base color

Monochromatic Colors

colors beside each other on the color wheel

Analogous Colors

three evenly spaced colors on the color wheel

Triadic Colors

four evenly spaced colors on the color wheel

Tetradic Colors

two-dimensional bitmap integrated into a larger scene, often used for characters or objects in 2D games

Sprite

grid of smaller images representing animation frames

Sprite Sheet

image made of pixels

Raster Image

line-based image

Vector Image

document that standardizes a character’s appearance and poses

Model Sheet

decorative fabric arranged in folds

Drapery

folds seen when fabric sags between two support points

Diaper Fold

folds formed when fabric wraps around cylindrical shapes

Spiral Fold

folds formed when fabric hangs freely due to gravity

Drop Fold

cylindrical folds commonly seen in dresses and curtains

Pipe Fold

folds formed when fabric bends at joints like knees

Half Lock Fold

alternating folds caused by compression of fabric

Zigzag Fold

folds formed when fabric rests without tension

Inert Fold

principle showing flexibility and weight of objects

Squash and Stretch

preparation movement before main action

Anticipation

presenting an idea clearly in a scene

Staging

two different animation techniques

Straight-Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

parts of the body continue moving after main action stops

Follow Through and Overlapping Action

gradual acceleration and deceleration of movement

Slow In and Slow Out

natural curved movement path

Arc

additional movement supporting main action

Secondary Action

number of frames that determine speed of action

Timing

enhancing actions for more impact

Exaggeration