A comprehensive reference guide to video game terminology, industry jargon, and gaming culture. Whether you're new to gaming or a veteran, this glossary will help you understand the language of games.
Games produced and distributed by major publishers, typically having higher development and marketing budgets. Examples include franchises like Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, and Grand Theft Auto.
Digital rewards for completing specific challenges or milestones in a game. Xbox uses "Achievements" with Gamerscore points, while PlayStation uses "Trophies" (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum).
A subgenre of role-playing games that emphasizes real-time combat and action elements over turn-based systems. Examples include Diablo, Dark Souls, and The Legend of Zelda series.
Additional content for a video game that can be downloaded or purchased separately, including DLC, expansion packs, or other supplementary material.
A mechanic in first-person and third-person shooters where players can look through a weapon's sights or scope for more accurate aiming, usually at the cost of reduced movement speed or field of view.
Short for "aggression" or "aggravation." In games, particularly MMOs and RPGs, it refers to when an enemy NPC becomes hostile toward a player character.
The programmed behaviors of non-player characters in games, determining how they respond to player actions, navigate environments, and make decisions.
An early, incomplete version of a game used for internal testing. Alpha versions typically contain placeholder assets, missing features, and numerous bugs.
A rendering technique that calculates how exposed each point in a scene is to ambient lighting, creating more realistic shadows in crevices, corners, and areas where objects meet.
A texture filtering technique that improves the quality of textures on surfaces that are at oblique viewing angles relative to the camera.
A technique used to smooth jagged edges (also known as "jaggies") that appear in digital images when rendering diagonal or curved lines.
Refers to abilities or spells that affect multiple targets within a specified area rather than a single target.
Originally referring to a venue with coin-operated games, now also describes games with simple, accessible gameplay focused on high scores and brief play sessions.
In gaming contexts, can refer to: 1) A visual glitch or distortion in graphics rendering, 2) A powerful in-game item, often with unique properties, especially in RPGs.
When a game's challenge comes from unfair mechanics rather than testing player skill, such as arbitrary time limits, sudden difficulty spikes, or enemies with excessive health points.
A multiplayer design where players have different abilities, goals, or perspectives. Examples include Dead by Daylight (4v1) and many VR party games.
The collection of games a player owns but has not yet played or completed. As digital sales and subscription services have proliferated, managing one's backlog has become a common challenge for many gamers.
The process of adjusting game mechanics, characters, items, or abilities to ensure fair play, particularly in competitive games. A well-balanced game prevents any single strategy or element from becoming overpowered.
A tiered system of rewards that players can earn by playing and completing challenges within a set timeframe (usually called a "season"). Common in free-to-play games like Fortnite and Apex Legends.
A genre where many players (typically 100) compete to be the last person or team standing on a map that gradually shrinks in size. Popular examples include Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends.
A performance test that evaluates a computer system's ability to run a game at specific settings, measuring metrics like frame rate, loading times, and stability.
A pre-release version of a game that is more complete than an alpha version but still undergoing testing. Public betas allow developers to gather feedback from players before official release.
Distinct regions or environments within a game world, each with unique ecological characteristics, visual styles, enemies, and resources. Common in open-world and survival games.
A temporary or permanent enhancement to a character's abilities or stats. The opposite of a "nerf."
An error, flaw, or fault in a game's programming that causes it to behave in unintended ways. Bugs can range from minor visual glitches to game-breaking issues.
A subgenre of shoot 'em up games characterized by overwhelming numbers of enemy projectiles filling the screen, requiring precise movement to avoid. Also known as "danmaku" in Japanese.
A technique in computer graphics that simulates small-scale surface details without adding more polygons to a 3D model, creating the illusion of texture.
The main story mode or single-player portion of a game, often featuring a structured narrative with missions or levels that progress the storyline.
A strategy (often controversial) in multiplayer games where a player remains in one advantageous location, such as near item spawns or choke points, rather than actively moving around the map.
A specific point in a game where a player's progress is automatically saved, allowing them to restart from that position if they fail. Named after the flags or markers that often represent them visually.
A sequence of button presses, commands, or passwords that activates special features or advantages not normally available during regular gameplay. Less common in modern games than in the past.
A character type or role with specific abilities, attributes, and playstyles. Common in RPGs and multiplayer games, including archetypes like warrior, mage, healer, or rogue.
A pre-release testing phase limited to a specific group of invited players, as opposed to an open beta which is available to the general public.
Optional items hidden throughout a game world that players can gather, often providing rewards for completing sets or achieving 100% completion.
A sequence of moves or attacks performed in succession, especially in fighting and action games, that deal increased damage or produce special effects.
A dedicated electronic device designed specifically for playing video games, such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, as opposed to a multi-purpose computer.
The time period after using an ability or item before it can be used again, preventing continuous use of powerful abilities.
A gameplay mode where multiple players work together toward a common goal, as opposed to competing against each other in competitive multiplayer.
A gameplay mechanic in shooter games that allows players to take cover behind objects to avoid enemy fire, typically using a button press to stick to walls or barriers.
A system where players can combine collected resources or items to create new items, weapons, armor, or other useful objects. Common in survival and RPG games.
An attack that deals significantly increased damage, usually occurring with a certain probability based on character stats or under specific conditions.
Refers to games or features that work across different gaming platforms, allowing PC players to play with console players, for example.
This glossary is constantly growing. If you know of a gaming term that should be included, let us know!
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