Postmortems from Game Developer

Glossary

cut-scene   a non-interactive animated presentation, played back from prepared data rather than generated dynamically; usually used as introduction and conclusion for a game, also for providing narrative exposition and, as a graphic spectacle, rewards for accomplishment.

data   game content, such as terrain geometry or spoken dialogue, as distinct from the software used to manipulate and display it; contrast engine.

DDA   Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment; a game's ability to react to player performance by increasing or decreasing the level of challenge.

deathmatch   a charming neologism coined for player-versus-player modes in first-person shooter games; later broadened for use in other genres, such as real-time strategy games.

E3   Electronic ...