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How is it called?

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X3M
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Someone noted to me that "debris" is not the correct word to use for "objects" in my game. But what is? "objects" is also not the correct answer.

How did I get to debris? The word debris is used in the game Red Alert for objects that are in the way for movement. So logically, I used this for over a decade. And not just for movement, but also for vision.

What is the word???

What falls in this category?
The category contains: Bushes/Tree's, Rocks/Hills/'almost' mountains, Houses/Skyscrapers, Waves (but not water)

Google... is not much of an help here.
Maybe it is just debris¿

Fertessa
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What are the objects you are

What are the objects you are trying to categorize? If the objects are just random trash, then debris works.

Otherwise you could use roadblocks or obstacles.

let-off studios
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Word Choice

Fertessa wrote:
If the objects are just random trash, then debris works.
I agree here.

Beyond "roadblocks and obstacles," which I typically ascribe to an urban setting, you can also use "terrain" or "landscape," or even "landscape features." I suppose it depends on the feeling you're going for.

Jay103
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let-off studios

let-off studios wrote:
Fertessa wrote:
If the objects are just random trash, then debris works.
I agree here.

Beyond "roadblocks and obstacles," which I typically ascribe to an urban setting, you can also use "terrain" or "landscape," or even "landscape features." I suppose it depends on the feeling you're going for.


I'd use "obstacles" for sure if the "value" of the things in question is that they get in your way.

"Debris" would refer to, like, what's left of a house after a large bomb went off inside, though it could include "lesser trash" like what might be left behind after a rowdy outdoor concert :). It's a category of obstacle, but it wouldn't include trees.

FrankM
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Obsctruction

It appears the word you want is "obstruction" which can imply blocking movement or sight.

The military uses the term "cover" with a similar meaning for tactical situations, and further differentiates between "hard cover" and "soft cover."

"Hard" cover blocks sight and bullets, such as a brick wall, earthen berm, or large vehicle.

"Soft" cover blocks sight but not bullets, such as leaves, smoke, or tall grass.

questccg
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+1 Thumbs up/Like

Jay103 wrote:
I'd use "obstacles" for sure if the "value" of the things in question is that they get in your way.

+1 Thumbs up/Like

X3M
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It can be that easy :)

Obstacles that create obstruction.
Yes, that is what I am looking for. Thanks guys!!

Fri
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Joined: 09/06/2017
Impediment

Impediment would also work.

wob
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Joined: 06/09/2017
yay english. the hardest

yay english. the hardest language in the world!
i am in awe of anyone who wants to learn it as a second language.
all of the options given so far are both correct and wrong depending on the context, location, what its made of, how it got there, if it can be moved and lots of other things.
luckily most native english speakers are bad at english.generally speaking if it sounds right in context, most people will think its right.

Jay103
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Well, in the context of a

Well, in the context of a game, you get to define your terms. If the rule book defines "obstacle" as being A, B, C, or D, then that's what it is, regardless of whether or not a trash can is really an "obstacle" in most real world situations.

john smith
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Joined: 06/26/2017
debrisor dé·bris[duh-bree,

debrisor dé·bris[duh-bree, dey-bree or, esp. British, deb-ree]

noun
1. the remains of anything broken down or destroyed; ruins; rubble:
the debris of buildings after an air raid.

2.Geology . an accumulation of loose fragments of rock.

For definition 1. In War ish type games. Debris is usually not an impediment to movement, If the word is used at all. BUT Rubble is often used and it is an impediment to movement of VEHICLES. as the definition states Bombing usually creates rubble, but demolitions and artillery often can too.

For Definition 2. The word used to describe that terrain feature is "ROUGH"

Tim Edwards
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Joined: 07/30/2015
Lots of useful words have

Lots of useful words have been suggested that you can choose from.

My suggestion is that you could also create your own self-explanatory terms customised to suit the specific needs of your game:

For example,

Vision-blocker
Movement-blocker
Missile-blocker

Players will know the function of these terms at a glance. That kind of thing, anyway...

X3M
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"what it blocks"-blocker.

I chuckled at that one.
But it is indeed self explanatory.

I have a lot of options now. Thanks guys.

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