BESTIARY
- AAA Publisher: Game studios with some of the highest development budgets and levels of promotion in the industry (Electronic Arts, Square Enix, Sony)
- Console: an electronic, digital or computer device that outputs a video signal or visual image to display a video game that can be played by one or more players (PS4, XBox1, Nintendo Switch)
- Fork: A copy of a repository. Forking a repository allows you to freely experiment with changes without affecting the original project.
- FPS: An abbreviation for first person shooter; a type of game where the player takes on the viewpoint of the character and has to make use of various firearms to achieve their goal (Bioshock, Dead Space, Destiny)
- Game engine: A software framework designed for the creation and development of video games (Unity, Unreal Engine, CryEngine)
- GDC: An abbreviation for Game Demo Capability, short films created with the Unity game engine and rendered in real time.
- Hacktivism: The subversive use of computers and computer networks to promote a political agenda or a social change, it usually has ends related to free speech, human rights, or freedom of information movements
- Indie Game: An independent video game, often created without the financial support of a publisher with a heavy focus on innovation and digital distribution (Thomas was Alone, Cave Story, Minecraft?)
- Mod: An alteration that changes some aspect of a video game, such as how it looks or behaves. Often created by small groups of enthusiasts, mods can add minor changes to a game or be a complete overhaul of the game itself (Grand Theft Auto 5, Skyrim, Fallout)
- Multiplayer: A type of video game that allows multiple users to play in the same game environment at the same time (Overwatch, Call of Duty, League of Legends)
- Open-Source: A decentralized software development model that encourages open collaboration, peer development, and free licensing
- RPG: Abbreviation for Role Playing Game; a type of video game that involves some sort of leveling system for the character. Most often, but not exclusively, based on fantasy or science fiction scenarios (Final Fantasy, Witcher 3, Mass Effect)
- Simulator: Games or training applications that represent real-world situations and/or locations (Flight simulators, the Sims, Sim City)
- Steam: A digital distribution platform by Valve Corporation, which offers users installation and automatic updating of games, community features such as friends groups and streaming, cloud saving, and in-game voice chat
- VR/AR: Abbreviations for Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality; wearable peripherals that engage the user by making use of their field of view to facilitate higher levels of emersion (Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear, Apple ARKit)
- 2D Graphics: Video games created with 2-dimensional models, usually have a number of conventions and game types associated with them (platformers, side scrollers, fighting games)
- 3D Graphics: Video games created with 3-dimensional models, quickly became the industry standard and is what is used for most next-gen title