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PC gaming glossary

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 17:27, 26 April 2012 by Hungry eyes (talk | contribs)

Software

Licensing

Terminology Abbreviations/Synonyms Definition Example

Abandonware

Discontinued software for which there is no support, and who's copyright ownership is unclear. Sharing abandonware is usually considered copyright infringement, however in practice copyright holders rarely enforce their abandonware copyrights. Re-Volt

Commercial Software

Payware Software that is produced for a user to purchase, or that serves commercial purposes. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Demo

A freely available preview or demonstration of an upcoming or released video game, often limited to a selected fraction of the full game's content, in order to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version. Naval War: Arctic Circle demo version

Free-To-Play

F2P Any video game that has the option to play indefinitely with no charge. Age of Empires Online

Freemium

Pay-for-perks A business model in which users may play a video game without charge, but can access extra or more advanced features for a fee. Microsoft Flight

Freeware

Software which is available for free use - however it is usually packaged with one or more restrictions on usage rights. Wine

Shareware

Trialware, Demoware Software provided free for use for a limited 'trial period' before purchase, often restricted in functionality, availability and convenience. EVE Online

Subscription Software

A video game or piece of software for which the user must pay a repeat subscription fee (usually monthly or yearly) to obtain continued access to. World of Warcraft


Revenue Models

Terminology Abbreviations/Synonyms Definition Example

Abandonware

Discontinued software for which there is no support, and who's copyright ownership is unclear. Sharing abandonware is usually considered copyright infringement, however in practice copyright holders rarely enforce their abandonware copyrights. Re-Volt

Commercial Software

Payware Software that is produced for a user to purchase, or that serves commercial purposes. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Demo

A freely available preview or demonstration of an upcoming or released video game, often limited to a selected fraction of the full game's content, in order to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version. Naval War: Arctic Circle demo version

Free-To-Play

F2P Any video game that has the option to play indefinitely with no charge. Age of Empires Online

Freemium

Pay-for-perks A business model in which users may play a video game without charge, but can access extra or more advanced features for a fee. Microsoft Flight

Freeware

Software which is available for free use - however it is usually packaged with one or more restrictions on usage rights. Wine

Shareware

Trialware, Demoware Software provided free for use for a limited 'trial period' before purchase, often restricted in functionality, availability and convenience. EVE Online

Subscription Software

A video game or piece of software for which the user must pay a repeat subscription fee (usually monthly or yearly) to obtain continued access to. World of Warcraft