In game development, "stats" and "attributes" are often related but can have slightly different meanings depending on the context of the game.
Stats generally refer to numerical values that represent specific abilities or characteristics of a character, unit, or object within the game. These can include attributes such as health points (HP), mana points (MP), strength, agility, intelligence, speed, defense, etc. Stats are typically used to quantify a character's capabilities and determine their performance in various aspects of the game, such as combat effectiveness, movement speed, or resource management.
Attributes are also characteristics or properties of a character, unit, or object within the game, but they can encompass a broader range of features beyond just numerical statistics. Attributes may include both quantitative values (such as stats) and qualitative traits (such as race, class, skills, abilities, or other unique characteristics). While stats are usually directly tied to gameplay mechanics and affect gameplay outcomes in a measurable way, attributes can include both tangible and intangible qualities that contribute to the overall identity and behavior of the character or object.
In summary, while both stats and attributes are used to define the characteristics of entities within a game, stats typically refer to quantifiable numerical values that directly influence gameplay mechanics, while attributes can encompass a broader range of features including both numerical stats and qualitative traits that shape the identity and behavior of the entity.