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Glossary
dialogue: Conversation between characters. (8)
dice: Cubes with numbered sides commonly
used to randomize gameplay. (10)
differentiate: To show a difference. (8)
diffuse color: Main color or value of an
object. (9)
digital artwork: Created using a computer. (9)
digital watermark: Mark that makes the image
unusable as final artwork, but allows somebody
to review the art for potential use. (10)
digitized: Converted to digital form. (8)
direct marketing: Publisher sells the game to
the user. (1)
discrete-event simulation: Tests a system
by changing variable parameters at
instantaneous points. (13)
displacement: How much something has
moved. (11)
dissection puzzle: Take a geometric shape
that has been cut into a certain number of
pieces and reassemble the shape. (7)
dissimilar assets: In-game objects that have
unique characteristics. (6)
dissipating: Breaking up or scattering. (11)
distribution: How a game is sent to the
customer. (1)
diversion: Strategy that involves drawing the
attention of the opponent to one location so an
attack can be made in a different location. (6)
drain: Occurs when a player has something
taken away. (6)
dramatic action of the story: How the
character reacts when faced with immediate
conflicts or obstacles. (3)
dramatic arc of the story: Rising action, a
climax, and falling action. (3)
dramatic tension: Feeling of anxiety or
anticipation related to the story being told. (3)
E
easter egg: Hidden message or special
feature. (6)
economy of force: Requires that minimal
essential resources be allocated to secondary
efforts. (6)
ecosystem: Community of organisms and
their environment that function as a single
unit. (13)
editor: Computer program that allows the
designer to prototype the gameplay. (7)
elegant: Describes an algorithm that is
the simplest, smallest, and most efficient
computer code to perform the needed
function. (12)
elements of art: Individual features needed to
compose artwork. (9)
embossed: When an image is raised above
the background. (10)
emitter: Object in a 3D modeling program
that has settings for the particles it
generates. (11)
emphasis: When a designer draws attention
to an object. (9)
engine control unit (ECU): Computer found
in production vehicles that controls many of
the functions of the vehicle. (13)
entities: “Thinking” components of a
system. (13)
environment artist: Team member who
creates scenes for the game world; strong in
use of color and landscape drawing. (10)
environmental illustration: Illustration that
shows the details of the virtual world in the
game. (3)
ergonomics: Study of how the body works
and how humans interact with tools and
environments. (4)
escalate: Increase intensity. (5)