perspective

n 1: a way of regarding situations or topics etc.; "consider what

follows from the positivist view" [syn: {position}, {view}]

2: the appearance of things relative to one another as

determined by their distance from the viewer [syn: {linear

perspective}]

perspective

In computer games, the {virtual} position from which

the human player views the playing area. There are three

different perspectives: first person, second person, and third

person.

First person perspective: Viewing the world through the eyes

of the primary character in three dimensions. e.g. Doom,

Quake.

Second person perspective: Viewing the game through a

spectator's eyes, in two or three dimensions. Depending on

the game, the main character is always in view. e.g. Super

Mario Bros., Tomb Raider.

Third person perspective: a point of view which is independent

of where characters or playing units are. The gaming world is

viewed much as a satellite would view a battlefield.

E.g. Warcraft, Command & Conquer.

(1997-06-19)