Labels A to Z, Part 6

Gaming - NSL - Gaming is the playing of a game. A role-playing game (RPG) is a broad family of games in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development. Actions taken within the game succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines. The original form, sometimes called the pen-and-paper RPG, is conducted through speech, whereas in live action role-playing games (LARP) players physically perform their characters' actions. In both of these forms, an arranger called a game master (GM) usually decides on the rules and setting to be used and acts as referee, while each other player plays the role of a single character. Several varieties of RPG also exist in electronic media, including multi-player text-based MUDs and their graphics-based successors, massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Role-playing games also include single-player offline role-playing video games in which players control a character or team who undertake quests, and whose capabilities advance using statistical mechanics. These games often share settings and rules with pen-and-paper RPGs, but emphasize character advancement more than collaborative storytelling.
Tabletop game is a general term used to refer to board games, card games, dice games, miniatures wargames, tile-based games and other games that are normally played on a table or other flat surface. The term is used to distinguish these types of games from sports and video games, which today enjoy more popularity than most tabletop games. The term is also used to distinguish role-playing games from role-playing video games, although role-playing games may not necessarily require a wide playing surface.
A video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device. However, with the popular use of the term "video game," it now implies any type of display device. The electronic systems used to play video games are known as platforms; examples of these are personal computers and video game consoles. These platforms range from large mainframe computers to small handheld devices. Specialized video games such as arcade games, while previously common, have gradually declined in use. The input device used to manipulate video games is called a game controller, and varies across platforms. For example, a dedicated console controller might consist of only a button and a joystick. Another may feature a dozen buttons and one or more joysticks. Early personal computer games often needed a keyboard for gameplay, or more commonly, required the user to buy a separate joystick with at least one button. Many modern computer games allow, or even require, the player to use a keyboard and mouse simultaneously. Video games typically also use other ways of providing interaction and information to the player. Audio is almost universal, using sound reproduction devices, such as speakers and headphones. Other feedback may come via haptic peripherals, such as vibration or force feedback, with vibration sometimes used to simulate force feedback.
I use this Label on this blog when I am talking about a game that is not Heroclix or talking about playing games including Heroclix.

Gundam - MSW - The original Mobile Suit Gundam was an animated science-fiction series which debuted on Japanese television in 1979. In this groundbreaking series, the traditional giant robots of Japanese anime were for the first time portrayed as realistic war machines instead of invincible superheroes. The people who used these machines to fight in a futuristic space war were complex characters whose motivations and beliefs didn't break down into simple good and evil, and the story encompassed human drama and social commentary as well as thrilling robot battles. Mobile Suit Gundam's popularity led to a series of sequels and follow ups - first a three-part movie compilation, then a succession of new television serials, original videos, and theatrical films. After three decades, this Gundam saga has expanded to include eleven television series, four video series, a dozen movies, and countless novels, comics, and original video game adventures. This saga encompasses seven different worlds, each with its own unique history and society, and showcases the work of the most celebrated talents of the anime industry. Although this saga's stories encompass centuries of future history and span several alternate worlds, they all share a single unifying element - the legendary line of fighting machines which bear the name of Gundam. From the prototype RX-78 Gundam featured in the original series, to the unique and colourful machines which star in later stories like Gundam Seed and Gundam 00, all these stories recount the adventures of heroic Gundams and their brave pilots. I use this label when I talk about anything Gundam on my MS Wars blog. On this blog I currently use the Anime label however I might give it its own label due to the vast size of it.

Heresy - MSW - Heresy Multi Part Miniatures is a web store were you will find a range of 28mm 'heroic' scale fantasy miniatures designed for those who love individuality in their models. All Heresy miniatures are multi-part kits to a larger or lesser degree. Wherever possible and worthwhile (ie it's actually going to be useful to do so), they have a separate head or hands so that they can be easily converted to your liking. All they miniatures are made by them and they have a nice Scientists and Civilians range in their Sci-Fi (Doctor Who). Warning their prices will go up on the 13th of this month I use this label when I talk about them in my MS Wars blog. Here is a link to their web store http://www.heresyminiatures.com/index.htm.

Heroclix - NSL / MSW - HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game originally designed and produced by WizKids, and now owned and marketed by NECA. Players construct teams of comic book heroes and villains and play out a battle between the teams turn-by-turn on a grid map. HeroClix utilizes the combat dial system created for the game Mage Knight, which keeps track of a figure's game statistics via a rotating dial in the base. As the figure suffers damage, the dial is turned to reveal new stats and special abilities. HeroClix was designed to appeal to comic book fans, players of wargames, and collectors, and the base set, Marvel's Infinity Challenge was released in 2002. The original HeroClix figures were all from comic books printed by Marvel Comics, but later expanded to include sets from DC Comics and from various independent publishers such as Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Later expansions also added new card-based mechanics such as Feats and Battlefield Conditions, expanding the game beyond the addition of new characters. As of March 2009, there are approximately 3,300 different HeroClix figures, maps, and game play items. The expansions won three awards at the 2002 Origins Awards including Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Game Board Game for Marvel HeroClix: Infinity Challenge. WizKids had a prize support system for organized tournaments at comic book and hobby shops, as well as regionally and nationally, consisting of special limited edition variant figures given to winners.

Inquisitor - MSW - Inquisitor is a tabletop miniatures game based in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 Universe. Whereas Warhammer 40,000 is based on squad based tactical warfare, Inquisitor focuses on a small group of adventurers and plays a bit like a Role-playing game. Inquisitor has its own website and 54 mm scale models are available as "Specialist Games" from the Games Workshop catalogue. Players choose a warband, usually made up of an Inquisitor and his/her henchmen, but also potentially led by any of a huge variety of rogues and heroes from throughout the Imperium such as Rogue Traders, Space Marines or Tech-priests. It even offers the chance to take on the guise of some of the Imperium's greatest enemies, such as Chaos Sorcerers, Genestealer Cult Leaders or twisted Mutants. I use this label when I talk about any of the Inquisitor game on my MS Wars blog but on this blog I use Gaming.

The next Labels A to Z post will be Labels A to Z, Lexicon, Manga, Mates and Mechwarrior. Until next time, enjoy.