See all glossary termsJust like a finite state machine has distinct states, a game almost always has distinct phases that serve various functions and with which the player interacts in different ways. These phases are commonly called game states.
From a high vantage point, a game can be seen as a series of states that follow each other. Typically, a game starts in a menu state, then transitions to a gameplay state, and finally to a game over state. Each of these states has its own set of rules, behaviors, and interactions.
Most games have more states, or phases. A multiplayer game, for example, might have a lobby state where players can join the game, a waiting state where players wait for the game to start, and a gameplay state where the actual game is played.