Spawning (video gaming)

In video games, spawning is the live creation of a character, item or mob. Respawning is the recreation of an entity after its death or destruction, perhaps after losing one of its lives.

All player characters typically spawn at the start of a round, whereas some objects or mobs may spawn after the occurrence of a particular event or delay. When a player character respawns, they generally do so in an earlier point of the level and get some kind of penalty. The term "spawning" is used almost exclusively in games where this happens frequently.

The term was coined by id Software within the context of its game, Doom.

Spawn points

Spawn points are areas in a level where players spawn. In levels designed for team play, these points are usually grouped so that each team spawns in their own tight area of the level. Spawn points are typically reserved for one team at any time and often have the ability to change hands to the other team. Some games even allow spawn points to be created by players; using a beacon for example in Battlefield 2142. "Odd" spawn points cause the player to be spawned as if actively entering the game world, rather than merely appearing there.

Good Game

Good Game is an Australian television gaming programme produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), airing on ABC2. Created by Janet Carr and Jeremy Ray, the show began in 2006 and includes a mix of gaming news, reviews, and features. The original hosts were Jeremy "Junglist" Ray and Michael "Kapowski" Makowski; the latter was replaced by Steven "Bajo" O'Donnell in 2007, and the former was replaced by Stephanie "Hex" Bendixsen in 2009. Other on screen presenters include field reporter Gus "Goose" Ronald and Dave Callan.

The show is named after the friendly phrase gamers traditionally say after completing a competitive match. The show's producers maintain an online presence with the audience, often directly communicating and taking feedback from viewers; audience competitions and polls are also held. In addition, a mobile application and a book have been created by the production team, to further cater the communication to the show's audience.

Good Game constantly receives generally positive reception, with the hosts and segments being the subject of much praise. The show has also received multiple awards, and achieved the status as one of the most downloaded ABC shows. The show's popularity has resulted in four main spin-offs: Good Game: Spawn Point, a show for younger viewers broadcast on ABC3; Good Game: Pocket Edition, which ran on ABC2 from February 2013 to May 2014; Good Game Pocket, formerly hosted by Michael "Hingers" Hing and currently hosted by Nich "NichBoy" Richardson, with daily episodes released on ABC iview and YouTube; and Good Game Well Played, an online show which focuses on eSports, and is hosted by Hing. A podcast has also been created: Good Game: Grandstand, which first aired in February 2012.

Good Game: Spawn Point

Good Game: Spawn Point (abbreviated as Good Game SP or GG:SP), is a spin-off (also described as a "sister program") of the original Good Game, and reviews video games that are rated G or PG. The show professes to be "For young gamers, by gamers". It debuted on ABC3 on 20 February 2010. Good Game Spawn Point is now the highest rated show broadcast on ABC3.

Production

There is perhaps a misconception over whether Good Game: Spawn Point is for all gamers or just younger gamers. Though the tagline might imply otherwise, it has been explicitly stated on the show and in promotional material that it is a family show, and as it reviews G and PG games it is suitable for all ages. The ABC has described the show as "featur[ing] a family friendly mix of gamer reviews, stories about gaming culture and plenty of audience interaction". The show sometimes gives behind the scenes looks at production studios, such as Bubble Gum Interactive, which was showcased on 2 July 2011. PlayStrat said, "The standard "Good Game" edition is a more adult oriented series - which includes reviews of games that fall into more mature classifications (i.e. they include violence, sexual content, profanity). It's good, therefore, that the show has the "Spawn Point" variant to allow the younger crowd to get their fill as well. Even as an adult gamer, I occasionally like to watch the games reviewed on Spawn Point as some I wouldn't mind playing".