video game
Interactive screen pastime
A video game is an electronic game played on a screen—television, computer, phone, or dedicated console.
The player interacts through a controller, keyboard, or touchscreen to manipulate characters or objects.
Video games range from simple puzzles to elaborate narrative adventures: He spent the weekend playing video games.
The medium has evolved into a major entertainment industry and competitive sport (esports).
Comfort in distress
- arcadeArched passageway or gaming hall
- controllerDevice directing a system
- funAmusement or pleasure
- leisureFree time for relaxation
hobby · pastime · recreation · joystick · tetris · sonic · candy crush · LAN party
Device directing a system
- gamepadHandheld console interface
- joystickTilting lever for control
- keyboardArray of input keys
- mouseSmall gnawing mammal
touchscreen · button mashing · analog stick · d-pad · trigger · rumble · motion controls · key bindings
Habitual mental retreat
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- virtual worldSimulated digital environment
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
role-playing · avatar · sandbox · open world · alternate reality · suspension of disbelief · atmosphere · worldbuilding
Sequence of fictional events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- charactersPersons in a narrative
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
quest · cutscene · dialogue · lore · backstory · campaign · mission · narrator
Smallest display unit
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- textureSurface tactile quality
- polygonMultisided plane figure
- renderingInterpretive depiction or performance
shader · frame rate · 3D · 2D · ray tracing · anti-aliasing · lighting · HDR
Computer-created interactive environment
- augmented realityVirtual elements on real surroundings
- artificial intelligenceMachines mimicking human thought
- procedural generationAutomated content creation via algorithms
- physics engineSoftware modeling real-world motion
haptic feedback · motion control · machine learning · cross-platform · unreal · unity · netcode · dedicated servers
Member-owned organization
- PvPHuman-versus-human game mode
- MMOHuge shared gaming world
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
leaderboards · guilds · clans · raid · voice chat · esports · tournament · LAN
console
Comfort in distress
- arcadeArched passageway or gaming hall
- controllerDevice directing a system
- funAmusement or pleasure
leisure · hobby · pastime · recreation · joystick · tetris · sonic · candy crush · LAN party
controller
Device directing a system
mouse · touchscreen · button mashing · analog stick · d-pad · trigger · rumble · motion controls · key bindings · combo
escapism
Habitual mental retreat
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- virtual worldSimulated digital environment
exploration · role-playing · avatar · sandbox · open world · alternate reality · suspension of disbelief · atmosphere · worldbuilding · first-person
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- charactersPersons in a narrative
- protagonistStory's central figure
antagonist · quest · cutscene · dialogue · lore · backstory · campaign · mission · narrator · twist
pixel
Smallest display unit
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- textureSurface tactile quality
- polygonMultisided plane figure
rendering · shader · frame rate · 3D · 2D · ray tracing · anti-aliasing · lighting · HDR · bloom
virtual reality
Computer-created interactive environment
- augmented realityVirtual elements on real surroundings
- artificial intelligenceMachines mimicking human thought
- procedural generationAutomated content creation via algorithms
physics engine · haptic feedback · motion control · machine learning · cross-platform · unreal · unity · netcode · dedicated servers · early access
co-op
Member-owned organization
matchmaking · leaderboards · guilds · clans · raid · voice chat · esports · tournament · LAN · split-screen
programming
Writing software instructions
optimization · beta · alpha · indie · AAA · studio · developer · publisher · crunch · playtesting
- game typesmultiplayer, single player, tournament, championship, ranked match
- open compoundsice cream, hot dog, high school, post office, living room
- passion projectsblog, podcast, novel writing, DIY projects, indie film
- entertainment devicestelevision, TV, remote control, remote, controller
- releasesalbum, single, EP, LP, film
- digital productsapp, apps, ebook, ebooks, software
video gamemovie
Recorded visual narrative
film · television · TV show · cinema · streaming video
video gameboard game
Marked-surface group entertainment
tabletop game · outdoor game · sport · card game · parlor game
video gameoutdoor activity
Pursuit done outside
physical exercise · nature walk · hiking · outdoor recreation · manual labor