3DGC:Design

3D Game Comparison - Game vs. game. No hype; just facts.™

Revision as of 20:52, 4 August 2007 (edit) Eep² (t|c) →'''Wiki markup comparison''' ← Previous diff		Revision as of 00:01, 5 August 2007 (edit) (undo) Eep² (t|c) →'''Wiki markup comparison''' Next diff →
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	<th>Category		<th>Category
	<td>		<td>
-	* [[:Category:Games]]	+	* [[:Category:Games|Games]]
-	** ''[[Game]]'' (or ''[[:Category:Game]]'')	+	** ''[[Game]]'' (or [[:Category:Game|''Game'']])
-	* [[:Category:Years]]	+	* [[:Category:Years|Years]]
-	* [[:Category:Genres]]	+	* [[:Category:Genres|Genres]]
-	* [[:Category:Companies]]	+	* [[:Category:Companies|Companies]]
-	* [[:Category:Engines]]	+	* [[:Category:Engines|Engines]]
-	** [[:Category:Camera]]	+	** [[:Category:Camera|Camera]]
-	*** [[pan]], [[perspective]], [[zoom]]; [[shaking]] (in [[:Category:Effects]])	+	*** [[pan]], [[perspective]], [[zoom]]; [[shaking]] (in [[:Category:Effects|Effects]])
-	** [[:Category:Lighting]] (subcat of [[:Category:Effects]] or	+	** [[:Category:Lighting|Lighting]] (subcat of [[:Category:Effects|Effects]] or
-	*** [[:Category:Lighting effects]]?)	+	*** [[:Category:Lighting effects|Lighting effects]]?)
-	*** [[:Category:Shading]]	+	*** [[:Category:Shading|Shading]]
	**** [[pixel shading]], [[vertex shading]]		**** [[pixel shading]], [[vertex shading]]
-	** [[:Category:Physics]]	+	** [[:Category:Physics|Physics]]
-	*** [[:Category:Collision detection]]	+	*** [[:Category:Collision detection|Collision detection]]
-	** [[:Category:Texture]]	+	** [[:Category:Texture|Texture]]
-	*** [[:Category:Texture filtering]]	+	*** [[:Category:Texture filtering|Texture filtering]]
-	*** [[:Category:Texture mapping]]	+	*** [[:Category:Texture mapping|Texture mapping]]
	**** [[bumpmapping]], [[environment mapping]] ([[reflection]]), [[mipmapping]]		**** [[bumpmapping]], [[environment mapping]] ([[reflection]]), [[mipmapping]]
-	* [[:Category:Sound]]	+	* [[:Category:Sound|Sound]]
		+	** [[:Category:Sound effects|Sound effects]]
-	* [[:Category:Characters]]	+	* [[:Category:Characters|Characters]]
-	** [[:Category:Actions]]	+	** [[:Category:Actions|Actions]]
-	*** [[bow]], [[climb]], [[crawl]], [[crouch]], [[dance]], [[drink]], [[duck]], [[eat]], [[drop]], [[hit]], [[hop]], [[jump]], [[kick]], [[lean]], [[punch]], [[roll]], [[run]], [[sit]]. [[skip]], [[sneak]], [[stab]], [[stand]], [[shoot]], [[strafe]], [[swim]], [[swing]], [[tumble]], [[vault]], [[walk]]	+	*** [[bow]], [[climb]], [[close]], [[crawl]], [[crouch]], [[dance]], [[drink]], [[duck]], [[eat]], [[drop]], [[hit]], [[hop]], [[jump]], [[kick]], [[lean]], [[lie down]], [[open]], [[punch]], [[push]], [[roll]], [[run]], [[search]], [[sit]]. [[skip]], [[sleep]], [[sneak]], [[stab]], [[stand]], [[shoot]], [[strafe]], [[swim]], [[swing]], [[tumble]], [[vault]], [[walk]]
-	** [[:Category:Player characters]]	+	** [[:Category:Footprints|Footprints]]
-	** [[:Category:Non-player characters]]	+	*** [[:Category:Surfaces|Surfaces]]
-	** [[:Category:Animals]]	+	** [[:Category:Footsteps|Footsteps]] (subcat of [[:Category:Sound effects|Sound effects]]
		+	*** [[:Category:Surfaces|Surfaces]]
		+	** [[:Category:Player characters|Player characters]]
		+	** [[:Category:Non-player characters|Non-player characters]]
		+	** [[:Category:Animals|Animals]]
	*** [[birds]], [[fish]], [[insects]], [[mammals]], [[reptiles]]--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list		*** [[birds]], [[fish]], [[insects]], [[mammals]], [[reptiles]]--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list
-	** [[:Category:Vegetation]]	+	** [[:Category:Vegetation|Vegetation]]
	*** [[flowers]], [[plants]], [[trees]]		*** [[flowers]], [[plants]], [[trees]]
-	* [[:Category:Environment]]	+	* [[:Category:Environment|Environment]] (level/world design)
-	** [[:Category:Effects]]	+	** # environments: [[level]], [[map]], [[world]], [[zone]], etc
-	** [[:Category:Interaction]]	+	** [[:Category:Locations|Locations]]
-	** [[:Category:Puzzles]]	+	** [[:Category:Effects|Effects]]
-	** [[:Category:Traps/hazards]]	+	*** [[:Category:Sound effects|Sound effects]]
		+	*** [[:Category:Visual effects|Visual effects]]
		+	** [[:Category:Interaction|Interaction]]
		+	*** [[:Category:Actions|Actions]]
		+	*** [[:Category:Puzzles|Puzzles]]
		+	*** [[:Category:Traps/hazards|Traps/hazards]]
-	* [[:Category:Effects]] (see also [[:Category:Physics]])	+	* [[:Category:Effects|Effects]] (see also [[:Category:Physics|Physics]])
-	** [[:Category:Breath effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Breath effects|Breath effects]]
	*** [[cold breath]], [[fire breath]], [[poison breath]]		*** [[cold breath]], [[fire breath]], [[poison breath]]
-	** [[:Category:Dust effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Dust effects|Dust effects]]
-	** [[:Category:Lighting effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Lighting effects|Lighting effects]]
	*** [[coronas]], [[flickering]], [[lens flare]], [[lightmaps]], [[shadows]]		*** [[coronas]], [[flickering]], [[lens flare]], [[lightmaps]], [[shadows]]
	** [[:Category:Particle effects]]		** [[:Category:Particle effects]]
	*** [[blood]], [[debris]], [[dust]], [[explosions]], [[fire]], [[gas]], [[shards]], [[sparks]], [[smoke]], [[spray]], [[steam]]; see [[weather]]		*** [[blood]], [[debris]], [[dust]], [[explosions]], [[fire]], [[gas]], [[shards]], [[sparks]], [[smoke]], [[spray]], [[steam]]; see [[weather]]
-	** [[:Category:Reflection]]	+	** [[:Category:Reflection|Reflection]]
-	*** [[envrironment mapping]]	+	*** [[environment mapping]]
	*** [[mirrors]], [[water]]		*** [[mirrors]], [[water]]
-	** [[:Category:Shards]]	+	** [[:Category:Shards|Shards]]
	*** [[glass]], [[wood]]		*** [[glass]], [[wood]]
-	** [[:Category:Smoke effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Smoke effects|Smoke effects]]
-	** [[:Category:Spray effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Sound effects|Sound effects]]
-	** [[:Category:Steam effects]]	+	*** [[:Category:Footsteps|Footsteps]]
-	** [[:Category:Water effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Spray effects|Spray effects]]
		+	** [[:Category:Steam effects|Steam effects]]
		+	** [[:Category:Water effects|Water effects]]
	*** [[bubbles]], [[current]], [[drops]], [[ripples]], [[splash]], [[waves]]		*** [[bubbles]], [[current]], [[drops]], [[ripples]], [[splash]], [[waves]]
-	** [[:Category:Weather effects]]	+	** [[:Category:Weather effects|Weather effects]]
	*** [[clouds]], [[fog]], [[lightning]], [[rain]], [[snow]], [[wind]]		*** [[clouds]], [[fog]], [[lightning]], [[rain]], [[snow]], [[wind]]
	*** [[transitions]] (can also apply to levels)		*** [[transitions]] (can also apply to levels)
-	*[[:Category:Objects]]--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list	+	*[[:Category:Objects|Objects]]--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list
	** [[book]]s, [[candle]]s, [[door]]s, [[flare]]s, [[:Category:lights]] ([[flashlignt]]s, [[lantern]]s, [[torch]]es, etc), [[key]]s, [[ladder]]s, [[rope]]s, [[scroll]]s, [[staff]]s, [[weapon]]s, [[window]]s		** [[book]]s, [[candle]]s, [[door]]s, [[flare]]s, [[:Category:lights]] ([[flashlignt]]s, [[lantern]]s, [[torch]]es, etc), [[key]]s, [[ladder]]s, [[rope]]s, [[scroll]]s, [[staff]]s, [[weapon]]s, [[window]]s
-	** [[:Category:Weapons]] (melee/ranged?, general type/kind only?)--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list	+	** [[:Category:Weapons|Weapons]] (melee/ranged?, general type/kind only?)--see [http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/gameform.html] for extensive list
-	*** [[:Category:Bows]]	+	*** [[:Category:Bows|Bows]]
-	*** [[:Category:Guns]]	+	*** [[:Category:Guns|Guns]]
-	*** [[:Projectiles]]	+	*** [[:Category:Projectiles|Projectiles]]
	**** [[arrows]], [[bullets]]		**** [[arrows]], [[bullets]]
-	*** [[:Category:Swords]]	+	*** [[:Category:Swords|Swords]]
-	* [[:Category:Surfaces]]	+	* [[:Category:Surfaces|Surfaces]]
	** [[dirt]], [[grass]], [[gravel]], [[metal]], [[mud]], [[plastic]], [[sand]], [[snow]], [[stone]], [[water]], [[wood]]		** [[dirt]], [[grass]], [[gravel]], [[metal]], [[mud]], [[plastic]], [[sand]], [[snow]], [[stone]], [[water]], [[wood]]
-	<!--** [[:Category:Dirt]]	+	<!--** [[:Category:Dirt|]]
-	** [[:Category:Grass]]	+	** [[:Category:Grass|]]
-	** [[:Category:Sand]]	+	** [[:Category:Sand|]]
-	** [[:Category:Stone]]	+	** [[:Category:Stone|]]
-	** [[:Category:Water]]-->	+	** [[:Category:Water|]]-->
-	* [[cutsene]]s, [[FMV]]s, [[inventory]]	+	* [[cutscene]]s, [[FMV]]s, [[inventory]] ([[:Category:Interface|Interface]]?)
	<td>Default classification system with auto-generated lists		<td>Default classification system with auto-generated lists
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	* Camera [[pan]] ([[view pan]], [[camera pan]]?) -> object [[pan]] ([[pans]]?)		* Camera [[pan]] ([[view pan]], [[camera pan]]?) -> object [[pan]] ([[pans]]?)
	* sprite (computer graphics) -> sprite (fantasy creature)		* sprite (computer graphics) -> sprite (fantasy creature)
		+	* level (environment term) -> level object
		+	* map environment term) -> map object
	<tr valign=top><th>Namespace		<tr valign=top><th>Namespace

---

Revision as of 00:01, 5 August 2007

Originally designed for a database, conversion to MediaWiki presents some problems:

This page is MediaWiki-specific but see http://tnlc.com/eep/compare/database.html for general design ideas.

Contents 1 Classification 1.1 Categories 1.2 Namespaces 1.3 Subpages 1.4 Wiki markup comparison 1.5 Extensions 1.5.1 Dynamic Page List (DPL) 1.5.2 Semantic MediaWiki (SMW) 2 Comparison table

Classification

There are different ways of designing this "database"'s classification system using MediaWiki.

Categories

The most obvious is with categories. Unfortunately, these can quickly clutter up the bottom of pages if there are too many. Categories could be named like namespaces (i.e. Game:Tomb Raider) but why not just use namespaces then to reduce having to type the link (:Category:Game:Tomb Raider vs. Game:Tomb Raider)?

Namespaces

Perhaps the next most obvious is with namespaces for games (game:), companies (company:), engines (engine:), characters (character:), effects (effect:), etc.

Subpages

Less obvious is using subpages (games/Tomb Raider) but they may be easier to manage than namespaces, although I'm not sure how DPL (see next section) can handle them. Additionally, subpages are automatically transcludable via template calls ({{/Tomb Raider}}).

Wiki markup comparison

System	Markup	Adavantages	Disadavantages
Category	Games Game (or Game) Years Genres Companies Engines Camera pan, perspective, zoom; shaking (in Effects) Lighting (subcat of Effects or Lighting effects?) Shading pixel shading, vertex shading Physics Collision detection Texture Texture filtering Texture mapping bumpmapping, environment mapping (reflection), mipmapping Sound Sound effects Characters Actions bow, climb, close, crawl, crouch, dance, drink, duck, eat, drop, hit, hop, jump, kick, lean, lie down, open, punch, push, roll, run, search, sit. skip, sleep, sneak, stab, stand, shoot, strafe, swim, swing, tumble, vault, walk Footprints Surfaces Footsteps (subcat of Sound effects Surfaces Player characters Non-player characters Animals birds, fish, insects, mammals, reptiles--see [1] for extensive list Vegetation flowers, plants, trees Environment (level/world design) # environments: level, map, world, zone, etc Locations Effects Sound effects Visual effects Interaction Actions Puzzles Traps/hazards Effects (see also Physics) Breath effects cold breath, fire breath, poison breath Dust effects Lighting effects coronas, flickering, lens flare, lightmaps, shadows Category:Particle effects blood, debris, dust, explosions, fire, gas, shards, sparks, smoke, spray, steam; see weather Reflection environment mapping mirrors, water Shards glass, wood Smoke effects Sound effects Footsteps Spray effects Steam effects Water effects bubbles, current, drops, ripples, splash, waves Weather effects clouds, fog, lightning, rain, snow, wind transitions (can also apply to levels) Objects--see [2] for extensive list books, candles, doors, flares, Category:lights (flashlignts, lanterns, torches, etc), keys, ladders, ropes, scrolls, staffs, weapons, windows Weapons (melee/ranged?, general type/kind only?)--see [3] for extensive list Bows Guns Projectiles arrows, bullets Swords Surfaces dirt, grass, gravel, metal, mud, plastic, sand, snow, stone, water, wood cutscenes, FMVs, inventory (Interface?)	Default classification system with auto-generated lists	Mixing same-named articles and categories causes redundancy (redirect to categories only?) Games with simple names (like Rune, Dirt, etc) can conflict with object names (like a "rune") or surface types (like "dirt"); engine names like Steam and Source can conflict with the "steam" effect and "source" of something (though rare; or short for "source code"). Lowercase names can help alleviate most of these conflicts but not these: bow action -> bow weapon Camera pan (view pan, camera pan?) -> object pan (pans?) sprite (computer graphics) -> sprite (fantasy creature) level (environment term) -> level object map environment term) -> map object
Namespace	Game:Games Game:Tomb Raider Effect:Effects Effect:weather Effect:wind	Name conflicts less likely	Must use extension to generate lists
Subpage	game game/Tomb Raider effect effect/skid mark	Name conflicts less likely	Must use extension to generate lists

Extensions

Note: DPL and SMW appear to cause pages to load slower (lots of server calls, flashing the web browser statusbar like mad most of the time).

Dynamic Page List (DPL)

Using DPL, lists of pages linking to other pages (as well as pages in categories and namespaces) are possible. This may be the best option that will allow all classification schemes to be included/used.

Semantic MediaWiki (SMW)

This extension is similar to DPL in outputting lists of pages in categories and namespaces, but also allows more complex relationships between things. Unfortunately, it's a lot more complicated to use (even moreso than DPL), which makes it a last resort. Programmers still code for programmers, apparently...even if they claim to be "semantic"--try being "intuitive" and "user-friendly" instead.

Comparison table

So far I've tried 2 extensions for the comparison table. One (TemplateTable) is easy-to-use but very limited and the other (DPL) is more difficult to use but more customizable (yet still not enough for my needs).