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Video Game Design Foundations
inverse kinematics: Parent object controls
the motion of a child object and the child
object controls the motion of the parent. (11)
isosurfacing: Uses the light and dark regions
of the texture map to create raised and
lowered areas on the model, like a bump
map; unlike a bump map, isosurfacing
actually alters the mesh. (10)
iteration: Different version. (1)
iterative design process: Program improves
with each run through the design cycle. (13)
J
jailbreak: Altering a smartphone’s operating
system to allow greater control over the
device. (1)
just barely fail: Allows the player to believe
that his or her next attempt may be the one
that provides victory. (5)
K
key light: Provides the primary illumination. (10)
key mechanics of strategy: Resource
management (strategic management),
dissimilar assets (arms race), maneuvers
(risk/reward), pacing (speed and recovery),
economy (gains and drains). (6)
keyframe animation: Approximation of
traditional cel animation using a computer
(cel animation is also keyframe animation,
and vice versa). (11)
keyframe: Any frame on which a specific
action must take place. (11)
kinematics: Science of motion; in terms of
3D modeling, kinematics refers to how the
movement of an object either controls or
is controlled by the movement of another
object. (11)
kinetic energy: Energy of movement. (11)
L
lagging: Falling behind or happening later
than intended. (8)
lateral thinking: Describes the process of
thinking along a line to find the solution. (7)
law of conservation of energy: Energy
cannot be created or destroyed, but can
change state. (11)
lead artist: Team member who manages the
details of a single project and makes sure all
art is designed correctly. (10)
leave-behind document: Document that
stays with the publisher after you have made
your presentation as a reminder of your
proposal. (1)
level up: Character increases in game status
by one level and acquires more abilities. (2)
limited liability company (LLC): Hybrids of
a corporation and a partnership; also called
limited liability partnership (LLP). (1)
limited liability partnership (LLP): See
limited liability company (LLC). (1)
limited partnership: Partnership in which
at least one of the partners is just an investor
and does not participate in the running of the
company. (1)
linear level design: Level that has a single
starting point and follows a single path to a
single end point. (3)
linear structure: Story that follows a single
path from beginning to end. (3)
linguistic puzzle: Uses words or sounds
related to language. (7)
lip syncing: Synchronization of sound and
character movement; matching voice to lip
movement. (11)
local: Subroutine or variable that does not
have persistence outside of the module in
which it was declared. (12)