What is DDS?

DirectDraw Surface, which is how game textures are stored for the graphics card. Block-compressed so the GPU can read it without unpacking, and usually carrying a whole chain of mipmaps. Open a game's files and this is most of what you'll find.

What is ICO?

Windows icons, and a container rather than an image - one file holds the same icon at several sizes, so Windows can pick the right one for a title bar or a desktop. It tops out at 256x256 and supports transparency, which is what stops an icon looking like a sticker.