GAME DESIGN MID-TERM TEST QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
First ever cartridge-based video game console; introduced the concept of housing game
software separate to the game console, making the release of new games cheaper -
answer -atari 2600
An image or display created from small units known as pixels - answer -bitmap
The part of a computer system that contains encoded information or instructions for the
hardware - answer -software
The first-coin operated computer game; failed commercially due to poor design -
answer -computer space
A very rudimentary simulation of a game of tennis, created by nolan bushnell at atari -
answer -pong
The basic units of programmable color in an image or a display - answer -pixels
Arguably the first-ever video game, created by nuclear physicist william higinbotham in
1958 - answer -tennis for two
The first computer game, developed by steve russel, that featured two players
competing against each other - answer -spacewar!
The physical components of computers - answer -hardware
The tiny, integrated circuits that contain the cpu's functions - answer -microprocessor
Devices that hook up to a tv or other display, which are designed to play video games -
answer -game consoles
Two-dimensional images or animations that are integrated into a game - answer -
sprites
A vacuum tube that uses heat to generate a focused electron light beam, creating a
bright, colorful image on a screen - answer -cathode ray tube
The nintendo entertainment system was an 8-bit console, whose commercial success
aided the recovery of the games industry from the north american video game crash of
1983-1985 - answer -nes
, Collaboratively-built platforms that provide game developers with sophisticated design
tools - answer -game engines
The first commercial home video game console; launched the golden age of arcade
games - answer -magnavox odyssey
The speed at which a computer can carry out the operations of a program - answer -
processing power
Games featuring intense simulated physical challenges that require a lot of fine motor-
skills and hand-eye coordination to overcome - answer -action games
Any element within a computer program, such as a computer game, which simulates
decision-making based on algorithms defined by game designers and programmers -
answer -ai
Games featuring problem- or puzzle-solving, environmental interaction, and dialogue
with characters - answer -adventure games
Detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to perform a task - answer
-algorithm
A virtual character which represents the player in the game world - answer -avatar
A computer-controlled enemy, usually a key character - answer -boss
A technique often used to give players a range of increasingly difficult challenges -
answer -difficulty ramping
Games used to develop a skill or knowledge-base in a fun way - answer -e-learning
games
Knowing how a game is played and coming up with strategies to influence the outcome
- answer -gameplay
The information governing the rules, instructions, and goals of the game - answer -
game mechanics
Types of games characterized by their style, form, or content - answer -genres
The state of complete skill, knowledge, and accomplishment of something - answer -
mastery
Characters that interact with the players but are not controlled by a human player -
answer -non-player characters (npcs)
ANSWERS
First ever cartridge-based video game console; introduced the concept of housing game
software separate to the game console, making the release of new games cheaper -
answer -atari 2600
An image or display created from small units known as pixels - answer -bitmap
The part of a computer system that contains encoded information or instructions for the
hardware - answer -software
The first-coin operated computer game; failed commercially due to poor design -
answer -computer space
A very rudimentary simulation of a game of tennis, created by nolan bushnell at atari -
answer -pong
The basic units of programmable color in an image or a display - answer -pixels
Arguably the first-ever video game, created by nuclear physicist william higinbotham in
1958 - answer -tennis for two
The first computer game, developed by steve russel, that featured two players
competing against each other - answer -spacewar!
The physical components of computers - answer -hardware
The tiny, integrated circuits that contain the cpu's functions - answer -microprocessor
Devices that hook up to a tv or other display, which are designed to play video games -
answer -game consoles
Two-dimensional images or animations that are integrated into a game - answer -
sprites
A vacuum tube that uses heat to generate a focused electron light beam, creating a
bright, colorful image on a screen - answer -cathode ray tube
The nintendo entertainment system was an 8-bit console, whose commercial success
aided the recovery of the games industry from the north american video game crash of
1983-1985 - answer -nes
, Collaboratively-built platforms that provide game developers with sophisticated design
tools - answer -game engines
The first commercial home video game console; launched the golden age of arcade
games - answer -magnavox odyssey
The speed at which a computer can carry out the operations of a program - answer -
processing power
Games featuring intense simulated physical challenges that require a lot of fine motor-
skills and hand-eye coordination to overcome - answer -action games
Any element within a computer program, such as a computer game, which simulates
decision-making based on algorithms defined by game designers and programmers -
answer -ai
Games featuring problem- or puzzle-solving, environmental interaction, and dialogue
with characters - answer -adventure games
Detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to perform a task - answer
-algorithm
A virtual character which represents the player in the game world - answer -avatar
A computer-controlled enemy, usually a key character - answer -boss
A technique often used to give players a range of increasingly difficult challenges -
answer -difficulty ramping
Games used to develop a skill or knowledge-base in a fun way - answer -e-learning
games
Knowing how a game is played and coming up with strategies to influence the outcome
- answer -gameplay
The information governing the rules, instructions, and goals of the game - answer -
game mechanics
Types of games characterized by their style, form, or content - answer -genres
The state of complete skill, knowledge, and accomplishment of something - answer -
mastery
Characters that interact with the players but are not controlled by a human player -
answer -non-player characters (npcs)
