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word
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definition
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16-bit
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1) The processing power of a chip or system, refers to how many bits of information can be handled by the processor at once. Can also refer to the width of a bus or data path. 2) A way of describing graphic power. 16-bit color is usually 32,000 colors - 15 bits of color, with one check-bit. In some cases, 16-bit color is 64,000 colors. See also bit.
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1T-SRAM
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MoSys 1T-SRAM technology (which is available in densities up to 128Mbits) uses a single transistor cell to achieve high density while maintaining the refresh-free interface and low latency random access memory access cycle time associated with traditional six-transistor SRAM cells. Embedded 1T-SRAM, as used in the Dolphin console, enables designers to get beyond the density limits of six-transistor SRAMs. It also reduces much of the circuit complexity and extra cost associated with using embedded DRAM. 1T-SRAM memories can be fabricated in either pure logic or embedded memory processes using as little as one ninth of the area of traditional six-transistor SRAM cores. In addition to the high performance and density, this technology offers dramatic power consumption savings by using under a quarter of the power of traditional SRAM memories.
"1T" refers to the single transistor feature while the "S" means that the RAM is static as opposed to dynamic (DRAM). The static nature of the SRAM is intended to give the Gekko chip immediate access to all the info it needs which should give the Dolphin its incredible speed.
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2D Fighting Game
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A sub-category of fighting game (see fighting game) in which the characters are represented by flat bitmapped sprites, and are generally fighting along a single face-to-face plane (although some examples may have more than one plane), enabling characters to hop from the foreground to the background (Fatal Fury series). The sprites can be hand-drawn (Street Fighter II), digitized from actors (Mortal Kombat), or pre-rendered 3D models (Killer Instinct).
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32 bit
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1) The processing power of a chip or system which refers to how many bits of information can be handled by the processor at once. Can also refer to the width of a bus or data path. 2) A way of describing graphics power; 32-bit color is 16,000,000 colors - 24 bits of color, with eight check-bits. See also bit.
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32X
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An underpowered 32-bit add on for Sega Genesis that plugged into the cartridge slot. The 32X had two 23 MHz RISC processors, and could lay an additional layer of graphics over the standard Genesis display. It could display more colors than the standard Genesis display as well. Introduced at Christmas 1993, it never caught on. Almost all 32X projects in development were canceled by Sega in late 1995, due to lack of system support.
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3D Accelerator
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A hardware add-in board that speeds 3D operations on PCs, accelerators are not optimized for displaying graphics.
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3D Fighting Game
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A sub-category of fighting game (see fighting game) in which the characters are represented by 3D polygon models rendered on the fly by the game machine, and where combat isn't restricted to a single line, allowing characters to dodge and roll from side-to-side. The first example was Sega's Virtua Fighter.
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3DO
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A 32-bit system introduced in 1993, this console has an ARM60 RISC processor operating at 12.5 MHz. Originally pushed as a $700 "multimedia machine," it languished until the price dropped and games were emphasized. Still, 3D0 stopped production in 1996 due to insufficient sales.
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5200
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A classic system released by Atari as a follow-up to the 2600 in 1983. In addition to a pause button, better graphics and sound than the 2600, it sported joysticks which did not center themselves when released, rendering many games nearly unplayable.
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64 GB Pak
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Nintendo's plug-in interface between the Game Boy and the N64. The device attaches to a standard N64 controller and offers the ability to import game data from a Game Boy game into an N64 title. First supported title: Pokemon Stadium.
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64-bit
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The processing power of a chip or system, 64 bit refers to how many bits of information can be handled by the processor at once. Can also refer to the width of a bus or data path. See also bit.
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64DD
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Nintendo's yet-to-be-released disk drive attachment for the N64. Proprietary "ZIP-like" disks hold up to 64MB of data. Programmers can designate more than half of that space as writable space, to store game data, customization code, and so on. The DD also includes a ROM chip with new sound samples and a network adapter. Requires a memory expansion to work.
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7800
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Follow up to the 2600 and 5200 (2600 + 5200 = 7800), this 8-bit system was shelved by Atari in 1983, and not released until the NES took off after 1985. It never had the following of the NES and suffered from too little third-party development. The system could play 2600 games as well as games designed for it.
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8-bit
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1) The processing power of a chip or system. Refers to how many bits of information can be handled by the processor at once. Can also refer to the width of a bus or data path. 2) A way of describing graphics power. Eight-bit color is 256 colors. See also bit.
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Action Game
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A game characterized by simple action and response gameplay. This is the broadest category of games, there are many variants and sub-genres, and not many games fit neatly into just one. Under the most basic definition the player's on-screen character can run, jump, roll, shoot or fly, but the defining obstacles are overcome by "physical means", rather than involved intellectual problem solving. Examples include some of the earliest videogames (Donkey Kong), but the genre also includes more recent 3D efforts (Jumping Flash!)
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Action-Adventure
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A game which is nearly all action (see action game), but that also includes a good deal of strategy and more advanced problem solving. Often this is simply in the form of finding the correct series of buttons, levers, switches, etc. which can give the player access to new stages and levels (Shigeru Miyamoto's Mario World series) but can be much more complicated and include collecting special objects for later use (Zelda 2, Soul Blazer).
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Affiliate Label
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A company whose products are packaged and distributed (and sometimes manufactured) but not marketed, by a publisher who does not own the company is known as an "affiliate label" to the publisher.
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AI (Artificial Intelligence)
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A set of computer instructions or algorithms designed to simulate the actions of an intelligent being.
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AL (Artificial Life)
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In a nutshell, AL is the antithesis of AI. While AI seeks to simulate real-world behavior by following a complex series of rules, AL starts with very simple rules for a system and enables complex behavior to emerge from them. Galapagos from Anark is the first commercial game to use AL, but rumors abound that several AL based RPGs are in the works.
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Algorithm
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An algorithm is a group of instructions for performing a task or solving a problem, such as an algebraic formula or a program for a computer. Many 2D fighting games from the same companies have the same algorithms, except different graphics are used.
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Aliasing
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A digital phenomenon. In the realm of graphics, when trying to display an image on a portion of the screen where the resolution is too low to display its details correctly, aliasing can occur. Edges look jagged instead of smooth, moire patterns develop in fine parallel lines and the image quality is degraded overall. The problem is most prevalent in diagonal lines.
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Alpha
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The first playable version of a game. Alpha software generally barely runs and is missing major features like gameplay and complete levels. See also Beta.
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Alpha Channel
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The alpha channel is an extra 8-bits of information that is sent to the screen in the RGB color model (see RGB), it doesn't show up as red, green or blue, but it has uses in numerous special effects. It is particularly useful in communicating transparency in objects. An alpha value of 100% would be totally opaque, 50% would be translucent, and 0% is completely transparent.
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Amiga
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Started by R.J. Mical and David Needle, this company made add-ons for the Atari 2600 before creating a true multitasking computer, the Amiga, which was released by Commodore. The company was acquired by Commodore and the name can also generally refer to the computer, which was not successful in the US except in vertical markets for video processing and editing. The Amiga is attempting to make a comeback in 1997 with PowerPC based systems, and a major television manufacturer shipping televisions with Amiga hardware built in.
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AMOA (Amusement and Music Operators Association)
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A trade group representing companies and individuals involved in the coin-op machine industry, from cigarette units to arcade videogames to redemption machines.
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Analog
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Way of representing information (such as the position of a joystick or the height of a soundwave) that uses a continuous range of values. Contrast with digital.
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Anti-aliasing
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A graphics procedure designed to eliminate a stair-stepping effect, known as jaggies, occurring at low resolutions. It works by blurring pixels at edges of lines to make the difference between two color areas less dramatic.
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API (Application Programming Interface)
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Originally for rich operating systems, a published set of standard routines/functions for a specific task, which can mesh with code libraries. Both Windows 95 and the MacOS are now touting APIs specifically written to aid in game development. Microsoft is pushing the DirectX APIs while Apple is promoting its GameSprocket APIs.
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Arakawa, Minoru
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President of Nintendo of America (NOA).
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Arcade
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A place where one can play coin-operation amusement machines, from videogames to pinball to redemption machines which dispense tickets that can be traded in for prizes.
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Arcade Conversion
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An arcade facsimile found on home systems. These games are rarely straight conversions because, despite the claims of every home-system manufacturer, arcade systems are usually one or two steps beyond home systems in terms of resolution, speed and graphic power.
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Arcade Game
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A coin-operated videogame.
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Arcade Perfect
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A term used to describe a flawless conversion of an arcade game to a home system.
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ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)
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Simply a custom chip dedicated to a single task, like processing graphics.
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Atari VCS/2600
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The first home videogame system to achieve major consumer success, the Atari VCS (Video Computer System), later renamed the 2600, sported an 1.19 MHz 6507 processor and 128 bytes of RAM. Games came on ROM cartridges. Graphically primitive to today's eyes, it was amazingly popular, creating an awesome boom and raking in hundreds of millions of dollars for Atari, a division of Warner Bros. Eventually the market became super saturated with bad games and crashed between 1983 and 1984.
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Away Team
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A group of marketers and producers at Sega who spearheaded the introduction of the Saturn into the US market (formerly known as Tiger Team).
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