Game replay
Encyclopedia
A game replay is a form of user-generated content
. In most instances, a game replay is a recording of a battle between opponents in a video game which can then be viewed by other players. It is most commonly used in real time strategy games like StarCraft
, Command & Conquer
, World in Conflict
, Company of Heroes
, and Age of Empires, as well as some first-person shooter
games such as Counter-Strike
(via console command). Recently, game replays are being used on non-computer platforms and games, such as Halo Wars
.
A number of websites allow users to upload replays of certain games so that other players can download and watch them, either for entertainment or improving their own skills.
. Game replays are often watched to develop skill at a game, by watching better players and their techniques and build order
s. Replays are also used to raise stature in a particular game's community, and entire websites are dedicated to the replays.
Replays are the driving force behind replay review
s. A replay review can be loosely defined as a review of a game replay by an experienced player to determine what can be done to improve and expand upon the initial gamer's skill. Entire websites are dedicated to these reviews, such as Gamereplays.org.
made by the developers. Replays recorded using third party
tools, such as FRAPS
, are a form of user-generated content
. They capture the on-screen action and compile it into a video format. These replays have the advantage of supporting online playback via video sharing
sites, like Youtube
or Veoh
, but take much more hard disk space than conventional replays.
Other utilities, such as Wegame interact directly with the game, and don't record directly from the screen.
User-generated content
User generated content covers a range of media content available in a range of modern communications technologies. It entered mainstream usage during 2005 having arisen in web publishing and new media content production circles...
. In most instances, a game replay is a recording of a battle between opponents in a video game which can then be viewed by other players. It is most commonly used in real time strategy games like StarCraft
StarCraft
StarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first game of the StarCraft series was released for Microsoft Windows on 31 March 1998. With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, it is one of the best-selling...
, Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer, abbreviated to C&C and also known as Tiberian Dawn, is a 1995 real-time strategy computer game developed by Westwood Studios for MS-DOS and published by Virgin Interactive. It was the first of twelve games to date to be released under the Command & Conquer label, including a...
, World in Conflict
World in Conflict
World in Conflict, or WiC, is a real-time tactical video game developed by the Swedish video game company Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft for Microsoft Windows. The game was released in September 2007...
, Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes is a real-time strategy computer game developed by Relic Entertainment. It was released on September 12, 2006, and was the first title to make use of the Games for Windows label. A standalone expansion, Opposing Fronts, was released on September 25, 2007. A second standalone...
, and Age of Empires, as well as some first-person shooter
First-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
games such as Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike is a tactical first-person shooter video game developed by Valve Corporation which originated from a Half-Life modification by Minh "Gooseman" Le and Jess "Cliffe" Cliffe...
(via console command). Recently, game replays are being used on non-computer platforms and games, such as Halo Wars
Halo Wars
Halo Wars is a real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 video game console. It was released in Japan and Australia on February 26, 2009, in PAL territories on February 27, and in North America on March 3...
.
A number of websites allow users to upload replays of certain games so that other players can download and watch them, either for entertainment or improving their own skills.
Uses
Game replays are commonly used in the prevention and detection of cheating, especially when used in electronic sportsElectronic sports
Electronic sports comprises the competitive play of video games. Other terms include competitive gaming, professional gaming and cybersports...
. Game replays are often watched to develop skill at a game, by watching better players and their techniques and build order
Build order
In strategy computer games, of both the turn-based and real-time varieties, a build order is a linear pattern of production, research, and resource management aimed at achieving a specific and specialized goal...
s. Replays are also used to raise stature in a particular game's community, and entire websites are dedicated to the replays.
Replays are the driving force behind replay review
Replay review
A replay review is a form of user-generated content. In most instances, a replay review is a review of an RTS video game game replay of a lesser player by a more experience, talented player. Replay reviews are used to increase the skill of the original player, but are often also read or watched for...
s. A replay review can be loosely defined as a review of a game replay by an experienced player to determine what can be done to improve and expand upon the initial gamer's skill. Entire websites are dedicated to these reviews, such as Gamereplays.org.
Methods of Recording
Replays are normally saved in proprietary formatsProprietary formats
A proprietary format is a file format where the mode of presentation of its data is the intellectual property of an individual or organization which asserts ownership over the format. In contrast, a free format is a format that is either not recognized as intellectual property, or has had all...
made by the developers. Replays recorded using third party
Third-party software component
In computer programming, a third-party software component is a reusable software component developed to be either freely distributed or sold by an entity other than the original vendor of the development platform...
tools, such as FRAPS
Fraps
Fraps is a benchmarking, screen capture, and real-time video capture utility for DirectX and OpenGL applications. It is commonly used to determine a computer's performance with a game, as well as record gaming footage...
, are a form of user-generated content
User-generated content
User generated content covers a range of media content available in a range of modern communications technologies. It entered mainstream usage during 2005 having arisen in web publishing and new media content production circles...
. They capture the on-screen action and compile it into a video format. These replays have the advantage of supporting online playback via video sharing
Video sharing
Video hosting services refers to websites or software where users can distribute their video clips. Other sites such as file hosting services image hosting services and social network services might support video sharing as an enhancement to their primary mission, but in general, they are not...
sites, like Youtube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
or Veoh
Veoh
Veoh is an Internet television company based in San Diego, California. It allows users to find and watch major studio content, independent productions and user-generated material. The company is a subsidiary of Israeli start-up Qlipso....
, but take much more hard disk space than conventional replays.
Other utilities, such as Wegame interact directly with the game, and don't record directly from the screen.