Video game terminology

interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system for running video games

video game where multiple players can play together

video game that permits only one player

coin-operated video game machine

video game played on a PC, rather than on a console or an arcade machine

video game played over the Internet

graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character

type of video game design

video game played on a mobile device

fictional character in a role-playing or video game that cannot be played or controlled by a real-world person

Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game. The term applies to both video games and tabletop games. Gameplay is the connection between the player and the game, the player's overcoming of challenges, and the pattern of player behavior defined through the game's rules.

significant and especially strong enemy in video games

new start to an established fictional universe, work, or series

lightweight, portable electronic device used for gaming

computer-based simulated environment populated by many users who can create a personal avatar, and simultaneously and independently explore the virtual world, participate in its activities and communicate with others

additional content created for a released software that users can download

Free-to-play (F2P or FtP) video games are games that give players access to a significant portion of their content for free. The term "free-to-play business model" or simply, "free-to-play model", refers collectively to business models that ultimately result in the creation of free-to-play games. Games that adhere to free-to-play business models are distinct from traditional premium games, which require payment before use. Free-to-play games are not to be confused with freeware games, which are entirely costless. Accordingly, free-to-play games are sometimes called "free-to-start" due to not b

games typically created by individuals or smaller development teams without the financial support of a large publisher

multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting large numbers of players simultaneously

game that is played using a web browser

thumb|Several gamers playing a multiplayer video game

gaming-related attribute and resource

video game genre that emphasizes combat with melee-based weapons

unit of measurement used in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game

character in a role-playing or video game that can be played or controlled by a real-world person

Chiptune, also called 8-bit music (although not all chiptune is 8-bit), is a style of electronic music, and its associated subculture, made using the programmable sound generator (PSG) sound chips or synthesizers in vintage arcade machines, computers and video game consoles. The term is commonly used to refer to tracker format music using extremely basic and small samples that an old computer or console could produce (this is the original meaning of the term), as well as music that combines PSG sounds with modern musical styles.

message which signals that the game has ended

in a video game, space available to the player in completing an objective

thumb|Speedrun of a SuperTux level

thumb|250px|A cutscene in the original Pac-Man game exaggerated the effect of the Energizer power pellet [[power-up.]]

form of gameplay

uncertainty experienced in military operations

type of tabletop or video game

commenting walkthrough of a video game

race type

thumb|A "beachstickball" minigame in A Short Hike A minigame (also spelled mini game and mini-game, sometimes called a subgame or microgame) is a short game often contained within another video game. A minigame contains different gameplay elements and is often smaller or more simplistic than the game in which it is contained.

edited version of a film, TV episode, music video, etc. that is supposed to represent the director's own approved edit

video game mechanic

media that aims to teach viewers academic and social concepts

noticeable delay in video games between the action of players and the reaction of the server

game mode where Kills or Frags Are maked as points

A microtransaction (MTX) video game business model is one where users can purchase in-game virtual goods with micropayments. Microtransactions are often used in free-to-play games to provide a revenue source for the developers. While microtransactions are a staple of the mobile app market, they are also seen on PC software such as Valve's Steam digital distribution platform, as well as console gaming.

redeemable virtual item for video game prizes

characteristic of a video game whose challenges can be completed in a variable order

user interface element common in video games

video game or mode in a video game in which the player fights computer-controlled enemies

traditional outdoor game

expansion or supplement to an existing game

meta-goal in a video game

thumb|A mini-map (bottom right corner) as seen in Warzone 2100 A mini-map or minimap is a miniature map HUD element that is often placed at a screen corner in video games to help players in orienting themselves within the game world. They are often only a small portion of the screen and must be selective in what details they display. Elements included on mini-maps vary by video game genre, but most minimaps feature at least one or more of the following: the position of the player character, allied units, structures, enemies, objectives, and surrounding terrain.

piece of digitally stored information about the progress of a player in an electronic game

emergent economy existing in a virtual persistent world, usually exchanging virtual goods in the context of an Internet game

organized group of video game players

task in video games that a player-controlled character may complete to gain a reward and/or progress the story

In video games, a power-up is an object that adds temporary benefits or extra abilities to the player character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a permanent benefit that can be used at any time chosen by the player. Although often collected directly through touch, power-ups can sometimes only be gained by collecting several related items, such as the floating letters of the word 'EXTEND' in Bubble Bobble. Well known examples of power-ups that have entered popular culture include the power capsules from Pac-Man (regarded as the first power-up) and th

video game narration technique, from pre-recorded video files (often captured with motion cameras in studio)

participation of an outsider performer in an event or a movie

attribute and manageable resource assigned to characters within a game

Permadeath (a portmanteau of permanent death) is a game mechanic in both tabletop games and video games in which player characters who lose all of their health are considered dead and cannot be used anymore. Depending on the situation, this could require the player to create a new character to continue, or completely restart the game potentially losing nearly all progress made. Other terms include persona death and player death. Some video games offer a hardcore mode that features this mechanic, rather than making it part of the core game.

construct, rule, or method designed for interaction with a game's state