System

From Styleguide

novier The following terms are often used to describe videogame hardware and software.

arcade cabinet A single arcade game unit. Sometimes used to refer solely to the outer casing that holds the game.

Use arcade game to refer to a game as a concept.

Types of arcade cabinets include:

• cocktail cabinet: Table-shaped arcade cabinet with a monitor facing upward; often used for competitive two-player games.
• sit-down cabinet: An arcade cabinet that requires the player to sit down to play; most commonly used in racing and flight simulator games.
• upright cabinet: A free-standing vertical arcade cabinet.

arcade game: General usage for any coin-operated videogame. See arcade cabinet, above.

arcade system: Use only to refer to the specific hardware used to run an arcade game or set of arcade games.

Example: Namco's adoption of the System 12 arcade system made converting games to the PlayStation simple.

coin-op: Jargon. Short for coin-operated. Any machine designed to operate only when money is deposited. More specific terms like arcade game or arcade cabinet are preferred for coin-operated videogames. See above.

computer: While all videogame systems are technically computers, in videogame contexts, only use the term to refer to general purpose computers that are designed primarily for uses other than games. A computer game is a game specifically designed for a computer. Do not use computer game to refer to games for console, portable, or mobile platforms.

console: Any device designed primarily for playing videogames on a television. Used interchangeably with home system. See portable system, below.

console system: Redundant; do not use. See home system below.

game system: Use on first reference to a system if context is unclear. Home game system and portable game system also acceptable. See system below.

handheld system: Use portable system instead.

hardware: The physical components of a console, computer, portable or mobile device. Often used to refer to a system as a whole. Usually used in contrast to software.

Example: Holiday demand for game hardware has skyrocketed during the holiday season.

'home console: Use home system or console instead.

home system: Any device designed primarily for playing videogames on a television. Used interchangeably with console. See portable system, below.

mobile: In videogame contexts, refers to mobile phones, PDAs, portable media players and other portable devices that play games but are not designed primarily for game playing. These devices should be referred to as mobile platforms or mobile devices, not mobile systems. Games designed for these devices are mobile games. Do not use interchangeably with portable system.

Example: The failure of the Nokia NGage was partially due to the fact that no one could tell whether or not is was a portable system or a mobile device.

peripheral system: Use when referring to hardware that attaches to another system in order to work. See the System Names appendix for examples.

platform: Jargon. Used in the context of game development to denote a specific system. A game under development for multiple platforms is a multiplatform or cross-platform game.

Example: Electronics Arts will release Madden NFL 08on all major platforms.

'portable console: Use portable system instead.

portable system: A travel-ready, battery- powered system with its own screen.

system: Any computer, console, portable system or mobile platform capable of playing games.

Example: Nintendo released its first system, the NES, in the United States in 1985.

unit: Jargon. Use only in business contexts to discuss hardware or software sales.

Example: Nintendo sold over one million units of the Wii last month.