Digital Design Test 3 Flashcards

Video Game Terminology

• MMORPG stands for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, involving large numbers of players in a virtual world.
• RPG refers to role-playing games where players create characters and engage in various adventures.
• RTS indicates Real Time Strategy, a genre where players control units and resources in real-time.
• Action Adventure describes fast-paced games that often involve quests to accomplish specific tasks.
• Construction Simulation games task players with building and managing environments, such as cities or parks.
• Functional Simulations are used in business to train individuals for specific tasks through realistic scenarios.

Game Development and Impact

• Atari was pivotal in the home gaming industry's early development.
• Sega introduced submarine simulation games in amusement parks during the 1960s, marking a significant innovation in gaming experiences.
• Nintendo released the Game Boy in 1989, a revolutionary handheld gaming device.
• Microsoft launched the Xbox gaming system in 2001, further enhancing home gaming experiences.
• From 2010 to 2011, the number of colleges offering degrees in game design doubled, indicating growth in the field.

Computers and Simulations

• The first computers were developed in the mid- to late-1940s, setting the stage for modern computing.
• Military simulations have evolved from being complicated and costly in the 1960s to more accessible and user-friendly systems today.
• Simulations are especially useful when real-life situations cannot be experienced prior to training, such as emergency response training or flight simulations.

Differences Between Models and Simulations

• Models create scenarios from complex data sets, often used for predictions like weather forecasting.
• Simulations predict outcomes and replicate real-life challenges, actively engaging users in decision-making processes.
• The key distinction is that models transform data into scenarios while simulations enact those scenarios with interactive elements.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Video games of the 1960s were partly mechanical, whereas modern games are fully electronic, showcasing technological advancement.
• Commercial simulated programs for businesses began in the 1950s, largely influenced by military needs.
• Medical simulators allow procedures to be practiced safely, eliminating potential risks to patients, emphasizing their importance in healthcare training.