Score (video games)

In <a href="/facts/Video_game/vmTdNASJ">video games</a>, score refers to an abstract quantity associated with a player or team. Score is usually measured in the abstract unit of points, and events in the game can raise or lower the score of different parties. Most games with score use it as a quantitative indicator of success in the game, and in competitive games, a goal is often made of attaining a better score than one's opponents in order to win.
In video games that feature scoring, points are usually an optional, side component of gaming. Players may achieve points through normal gameplay, but their score will often not have an immediate relevance to the game itself. Instead, playing to beat a "high score" set by the game program, another player or oneself becomes an extra challenge, adding <a href="/facts/Replay_value/83HBvWNF">replay value</a>.
In modern gaming, the presence of a score is not as ubiquitous as it was in the past. During the era of <a href="/facts/Arcade_games/oBYn85uk">arcade games</a>, when, because of the technical limitations of the time, games could not be "won" or "completed" but were instead endless cycles of continuous <a href="/facts/Gameplay/kGVFkkjx">gameplay</a>, points had a much greater relevance. Many modern games no longer keep track of scores, and many no longer feature an option to save or record high scores. However, some games, such as <a href="/facts/Role-playing_video_game/o4sTj5vl">role-playing games</a>, have <a href="/facts/Experience_point/46vvLY3G">experience points</a>, <a href="/facts/Skill_point/nr8hjXDL">skill points</a>, and use <a href="/facts/Virtual_economy/mMXumKJA">money or treasure</a>, which can all be used to buy or <a href="/facts/Glossary_of_video_game_terms/KvCvXrMA">upgrade</a> skills and objects.
In <a href="/facts/Fighting_game/7Y7FaQTK">fighting games</a>, scoring a very high number of points could result in <a href="/facts/Unlockable_(gaming)/dfWMn6jI">unlockable</a> players or modes. In some games, reaching certain scores gives an <a href="/facts/Extra_life/H1Xy1sEd">extra life</a>, or a <a href="/facts/Glossary_of_video_game_terms/KvCvXrMA">continue</a>.

Score (video games) open-in-new

Score (video games)