Game Development Glossary – Essential Terms Explained by StudioKrew

Game Development Terms Explained Glossary

Welcome to the ultimate glossary of game development terms, curated by StudioKrew – your trusted partner in building high-performance games for mobile, PC, console, AR/VR, and blockchain platforms. Whether you are a game designer, developer, investor, or enthusiast, this glossary will help you understand essential industry terminology and improve your project planning, team communication, and overall product strategy.
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AR/VR Integration

AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) integration allows developers to create immersive environments where players interact with digital content in the real or virtual world.

Asset Pipeline

An asset pipeline is the workflow that manages importing, optimizing, and organizing 2D/3D assets, audio, and animations into the game engine. Efficient pipelines reduce build times and improve scalability.

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)

BaaS platforms like PlayFab, Firebase, and Nakama provide pre-built backend features such as authentication, cloud saving, leaderboards, and analytics — allowing developers to focus on game logic.

Build Pipeline

A build pipeline automates packaging and deployment of game versions across devices or platforms. It improves development efficiency and reduces manual errors.

CCU (Concurrent Users)

CCU stands for Concurrent Users and measures the number of active users playing a game at the same time. It’s a vital metric for server scaling, matchmaking, and performance monitoring.

Cross-Platform Development

Cross-platform development enables a game to run seamlessly on multiple platforms like Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and WebGL. Tools like Unity and Unreal support code reuse, reducing time and cost. Explore our cross-platform game development expertise.

Frame Rate (FPS)

Frame Rate, or Frames Per Second (FPS), determines how smoothly a game runs. High FPS leads to better player experience, especially in action or competitive games.

Game Analytics

Game analytics involves tracking and analyzing player behavior, session length, in-app purchases, retention rates, and gameplay metrics to optimize user experience and improve monetization.

Game Balancing

Game balancing ensures that gameplay elements like difficulty, character abilities, and in-game economy provide a fair and enjoyable experience across all player types.

Game Design Document (GDD)

A GDD is a comprehensive blueprint that outlines every detail of a game’s mechanics, story, characters, user interface, assets, levels, and technical specifications. It serves as a roadmap for developers, designers, and stakeholders throughout the game development lifecycle. Learn more about our custom game development services.

Game Loop

The game loop is the fundamental structure that drives gameplay. It continuously processes input, updates game logic, and renders visuals—typically running 30 to 120 times per second.

Game Monetization Models

Game monetization models refer to how games generate revenue, including ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, freemium, and blockchain-based token systems. Choosing the right model impacts user acquisition and ROI.

In-App Purchases (IAP)

IAPs allow players to buy virtual goods, cosmetics, or upgrades within a game. It’s a major monetization strategy in free-to-play games.

Leaderboards

Leaderboards display player rankings based on performance, scores, or achievements. They boost competition and engagement in online or casual games.

Level Design

Level design refers to the process of creating the stages, maps, or environments players explore in a game. It impacts flow, difficulty, and immersion.

LiveOps

LiveOps refers to ongoing game management post-launch. It includes real-time updates, event scheduling, in-game promotions, user engagement strategies, A/B testing, and server-side changes to keep players active and retained. StudioKrew provides Game LiveOps services to help improve retention and lifetime value (LTV).

LOD (Level of Detail)

A technique that displays different versions of a 3D model depending on the viewer’s distance to optimize performance.

Matchmaking Logic

Matchmaking logic refers to the system used to pair players in a multiplayer game. It factors in player skill, latency, region, and availability to create balanced and fair game sessions.

MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

In game development, an MVP is the most basic playable version of a game that includes core mechanics and functionality. It’s used to validate the game idea, gather user feedback, and plan further development. Ideal for startup game projects.

Netcode

Netcode is the underlying system that handles real-time communication and synchronization between clients and servers in multiplayer games. Optimized netcode ensures low-latency gameplay with minimal lag. StudioKrew integrates optimized netcode in all Unity multiplayer game projects.

Photon Fusion

Photon Fusion is a next-gen multiplayer networking engine designed for Unity. It enables smooth synchronization, client-server architecture, and predictive movement—ideal for fast-paced online multiplayer games.

Playtesting

Playtesting is the process of observing users interact with a game during development. It identifies bugs, design flaws, and opportunities for gameplay improvements.

Procedural Generation

Procedural generation is a technique for creating game content algorithmically, such as terrain, dungeons, or levels. It increases content variety and reduces manual workload.

SDK (Software Development Kit)

An SDK is a collection of tools, libraries, and documentation that facilitates development for specific platforms, engines, or services. Examples include Meta Quest SDK and Google Play Games SDK.

Software Requirements Specification (SRS)

An SRS is a formal document that defines the functional and non-functional requirements of a game. It covers system behavior, performance benchmarks, interface definitions, and technical constraints for game development.

Tokenomics

Tokenomics in gaming refers to the economic system surrounding in-game tokens or cryptocurrencies. It includes token supply, utility, distribution, and earning mechanics in blockchain-based or Play-to-Earn (P2E) games. Checkout our expertise in NFT game development services and Blockchain game development services.

Unity Engine

Unity is a popular cross-platform game engine used to build 2D, 3D, AR, VR, and multiplayer games. It supports C#, asset store integration, and is ideal for mobile, PC, and web games. Get your game developed with Unity game development company.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a high-performance game engine known for its advanced graphics capabilities, visual scripting (Blueprints), and use in AAA games and immersive AR/VR experiences. Learn more about Unreal Game Development Company

User Retention

User retention refers to the percentage of players who return to a game after their first session. High retention is critical for game monetization, virality, and long-term success. Our mobile game development strategies are designed to boost retention.

Other game development services we offer

Gamification Development Company StudioKrew

App Gamification

Use the power of games to incentivize your users to make progress. Completing Missions unlocks Levels, allows users to earn points and win prizes, and increases their engagement.

eLearning Games Development

New to the industry, Learning games have added a completely different spectrum to the learning, training, and assessment process. From early childhood to experienced industrial training, they support quick interactive learning.

Promotional Game Development

Gaming applications have innovatively mastered the art of user engagement for a product, which has caused the marketing trend to rise hugely in the game development arena. This supports delivering your message through an interactive medium.

Casino Game Development

Casino games can also be played outside casinos for entertainment using real or virtual money, some on machines that simulate gambling—expertise in requirement algorithms and maths.

Metaverse Game Development

With a team of experts in core development and blockchain platforms, we deliver top-notch service to clients for Metaverse game development and NFT-based P2E game development services.

NFT Game Development

Designing custom NFTs and Developing Video games with integrated NFTs as a crucial gameplay element increases user retention and attracts new players to the platform.

Multiplayer Game Development Experts

Massive Multiplayer game development company with specialized knowledge and excellence to provide service for MMO RPG games, Sync and Asynch Multiplayer games, games with Spatial Audio ranging for all genres including FPS games, RPG games, Strategy games, and Metaverse.

Mobile Game Development

Engage your gaming audience like never before with fun and engaging Mobile Games. Featuring fantastic characters, collectables, and addictive core game mechanics, the games make users keep coming back for more.

HTML5 Game Development

Under HTML5, web game development services we offer a wide range of games, including multiplayer, Web3, training, promotional, and social community games. Our games are compatible with desktop and mobile devices, creating immersive and interactive gaming experiences that captivate players worldwide.

AR Game Development

Leveraging the power of augmented reality (AR), we create immersive and interactive gaming experiences that blend the real and virtual worlds. Whether it's integrating AR CoreKit into an existing game or developing entirely new AR games, we have the expertise to bring your ideas to life.

Hyper Casual Games Development

Our gaming experiences transcend boundaries, offering captivating and enjoyable gameplay to a global audience. We specialize in hyper-casual game development, transforming concepts into addictive digital realms that engage users with seamless gameplay. Our games are designed for quick gaming sessions, easy achievements, and maximum enjoyment with minimal effort. We take pride in delivering unrivalled enjoyment to our users.

Casual Multi Gaming Platform Development Company

Casino Game Development

Fun-packed, intuitive games developed by our experts well-versed in building Casino Gaming Apps with stunning skill and chance-based games. Offer the ultimate gaming experience to your audience with feature-loaded, entertaining Casino Game development services.

Hiring a game development team shouldn't be difficult.

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Game Development Terms Explained Glossary

AR/VR Integration

Asset Pipeline

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Build Pipeline

CCU (Concurrent Users)

Cross-Platform Development

Frame Rate (FPS)

Game Analytics

Game Balancing

Game Design Document (GDD)

Game Loop

Game Monetization Models

In-App Purchases (IAP)

Leaderboards

Level Design

LiveOps

LOD (Level of Detail)

Matchmaking Logic

MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Netcode

Photon Fusion

Playtesting

Procedural Generation

SDK (Software Development Kit)

Software Requirements Specification (SRS)

Tokenomics

Unity Engine

Unreal Engine

User Retention

Other game development services we offer

ExpertiseMaking us different

Game Study

Prototyping

Game Development

Feasiblity

Post Delivery Warranty Support

Service Level Agreement

Hiring a game development team shouldn't be difficult.

StudioKrew

We design & develop with beauty and brain.

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