Lesson 1: Terms and Concepts - Element Cards

Question 1

Answer 1

Enemy

An armed, opposing character that deals damage and has a variety of attack and movement patterns.

Question 2

Answer 2

Damage Block

An armed, opposing character that deals damage and has a variety of attack and movement patterns.
A block that hurts avatars on contact and is used as a harmful surface or wall.

Question 3

Answer 3

Goal Block

When an active Goal Block is touched the game is won. In some games, however, the avatar sprite must meet conditions before the Goal Block is activated.

Question 4

Answer 4

Environment Block

A block that is used as a surface or a wall.

Question 5

Answer 5

Point

A small item the Avatar can collect to meet the win conditions of a game or improve their score

Question 6

Answer 6

Key

A key that can open locks of the same color.

Question 7

Answer 7

Avatar

The digital representation of a physical person in a virtual world or game.

Question 8

Answer 8

Lock

A lock that can only be opened by keys of the same color.

Question 9

Answer 9

Timer

Counts seconds during gameplay. The player either needs to win before the time runs out or survive for a certain amount of time.

Question 10

Answer 10

Boss

Particularly large, strong or difficult armed, opposing character.

Question 11

Answer 11

Frag Counter

Counts the number of destroyed enemies and can be used as a goal.

Question 12

Answer 12

Score Keeper

Counts the number of points collected and can be used as a goal.

Question 13

Answer 13

Health Meter

Controls Avatar health. The game is lost when health reaches zero.

Question 14

Answer 14

Jumping Mechanic

Avatars can jump onto blocks and over enemies.

Question 15

Answer 15

Blasting Mechanic

Avatars can blast enemies.

Question 16

Answer 16

Racing Mechanic

Avatars can have a very fast speed, and may seem to be racing.

Question 17

Answer 17

Solving Mechanic

Players must solve puzzles in the game, such as finding the correct path or bringing the correct key to a lock.

Question 18

Answer 18

Collecting Mechanic

Avatars collect or pick up points or other environmental items

Question 19

Answer 19

Exploring Mechanic

Avatars explore the environment usually in a maze or a big, scrolling space.

Question 20

Answer 20

Walking Mechanic

Avatars have a slower speed.

Question 21

Answer 21

Avoiding Mechanic

Avatars can hide and avoid enemies in parts of the game space.

Question 22

Answer 22

Bounded Space

The game space is closed on the sides so the sprites cannot leave or fall out of the screen.

Question 23

Answer 23

Unbounded Space

The game space is open so that sprites can leave or fall out of the screen.

Question 24

Answer 24

Platformer Perspective

The view of the game is from the side. Here, the player can see sprites jumping.

Question 25

Answer 25

Wraparound Space

The game space wraps around so that when sprites exit off one side of the screen, they appear on the opposite side.

Question 26

Answer 26

Scrolling Space

There are multiples screens in this game space so an Avatar can move horizontally or vertically through different environments.