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Video Game Design Foundations
sound synchronization: Matching the
timing of visual action to the corresponding
sounds. (11)
spatial: Having or occupying space. (9)
specular color: Highlights, or shiny spots, on
an object. (9)
spotlight: Projects light rays in a cone shape. (10)
squash: To flatten. (11)
staging: Allows the artist to draw attention to
the area or objects of greatest importance. (11)
static: Not moving. (11)
static animation: Translation without
articulation. (11)
static particles: Rendered simultaneously
along the entire vector. (11)
statutory laws: Passed by legislature. (10)
steps: In programming, refers to how many
iterations occur per second. (12)
stereotyped character: In-game character
that performs a standard game role, but has
very general characteristics that provide some
variation among the same type of characters
in a game. (3)
stock character: In-game character that has
standard traits and performs a standard role. (3)
stock dividend: Amount of money paid
to the owners of the company stock as
their portion of the profits made by the
company. (1)
stockholder: Person or company who has
purchased stock in a corporation. (1)
stop-motion animation: Capturing a single
animation frame, slightly adjusting the
objects, and capturing another single frame;
repeated over and over until the animation is
completed. (11)
story-based character: In-game character who
conveys some portion of the game story. (2)
storyboard: Series of panels that contain
sketches of the game action and a description
of the actions in that room. (3)
straight-ahead action: Creating motion
starting at the beginning of a scene and
continuing in sequence until the end of the
scene. (11)
strand: Static particles are rendered
simultaneously along the entire vector. (11)
strategy: Plan for defense and offense. (6)
stretch: To extend. (11)
string: Series of letters, numbers, or
punctuation. (12)
structure: Syntax and logic form of the
programming language. (12)
sub missions: Series of activities that make
up a mission and are themselves made up of
atomic challenges. (3)
subordinate: Below, beneath, or lower. (2)
subroutine: Group of code within the main
game program that controls a segment of the
overall program function. (1)
subtractive method: Starts with all color, or
white, and colors are removed to create the
final color. (9)
sunlight: Light source that provides constant
illumination in one direction; the light rays
are parallel, like natural sunlight. (10)
survey: Questionnaire given to a group of
people with the purpose of collecting data
from that group. (4)
sustainable community: Community that has
or can obtain the resources needed to keep
meeting the needs and wants of its citizens. (6)
swarm: Collection of characters that move,
act, and behave as a single entity. (2)
symmetrical balance: When the right and left
sides, top and bottom, or all sides are equal;
also called formal balance. (9)