The Language of Video Games
At A Glance
- Video games have a language all their own. Use this handy guide to interpret what your kids are talking about.
If you want to help protect your kids while they play video games, you need to know what they're talking about. Like any other language, the language of computer and video games is constantly evolving. This brief list will give you an idea of some of the terms used not only by video game developers, but also your kids.
FPS (First Person Shooter)
This is a computer and video game genre where the player sees the action through the eyes of the main character, virtual reality-style.
Free-For-All
A form of multiplayer gameplay where there are no teams, and several players compete against each other to score the most points in a given amount of time, or be the first to reach a predetermined scoring limit. Synonym: FFA.
Genre
Categories that games fall into. For example, role-playing games, strategy games, and driving games.
MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game)
This online game allows hundreds or even thousands of users to play a game together.
RPG (Role Playing Game)
A type of game where the player controls a character, or party of characters, on a lengthy quest. During the course of the game, the character earns experience points for completing tasks or beating opponents in battle, and becomes increasingly powerful.
RTS (Real-Time Strategy)
A type of game where the player controls an army, plus manages natural resources, finances, and troops in order to defeat other armies. Also known as RTS games.
Simulation Games
While arguably most games are a simulation of something, simulation games, or "sims" take it a step further, recreating a particular situation in more exacting detail. Flight sims, for example, give the player full control of the plane, down to every switch and gauge. Other types of sims replicate driving a race car, coaching a sports team, running a city, or even dating.
Zone
This is for players to describe their way of playing to others, so they can interact with people with similar experience and attitudes. Parents will see a "Zone" listed next to their child's username (not real name) when they are playing (and others will see it when online). There are four Zones:
- Recreation: This zone is f or gamers who aren't about winning or losing, but that everyone enjoys the game. Kick back, relax, be considerate and have fun.
- Pro: For those who aren't going to settle for anything less than first place, but still respect the game and competitors.
- Family: A zone for both parents and kids to enjoy. No mature language, no intimidation, no super-competitive egos. In short, fun for the whole family.
- Underground: For those not easily intimidated, the Underground is for them. This is for the hardcore gamer that has a high-level of experience.
A.I. (Artificial Intelligence)
Allows the computer-controlled characters in a game to think, move, and act in a way similar to humans. Many games allow the player to adjust the difficulty level, so the game's A.I. could range virtually from "caveman" to "Gary Kasparov-beating" levels.
Cheat Code
These are codes that can be used on a video game to change the way the game is played, giving the player unearned advantages. By definition, this is cheating in a game. You might beat the game more easily, but it's less satisfying.
Easter Egg
This is a term for a hidden item in a game that the developer puts in, often as an inside joke, or to reward the thorough explorer.
Hack
A piece of programming that allows a player to get past anti-cheating or security measures. A hacker is a person who creates or uses a hack.
Lag
What every online gamer hates, lag is when a player's connection to a game server suffers, causing a delay between the player's actions and those actions taking place in the game. Lag can be caused by anything from a lack of bandwidth, to too many connections to the server, to high Internet traffic.
Mod
Most computer games can be altered through the use of downloadable modifications, or "mods" for short, which are broadly available on the Internet and can change the content of the game. It is important for parents to be aware that some mods can alter a game in ways that may not be appropriate for younger players and may be inconsistent with the original rating.
Packet Loss
Brief interruptions in gameplay caused by a poor connection to a server. This appears as a slight delay in the action, or if the connection is very unstable, a stuttering effect. Synonym: lag.
Patch
Patches are most common in MMORPGs and online games. Patches allow developers to change gameplay, scenery, add new challenges, and fix compatibility issues after the product is shipped and purchased. Also known as a point release.
Power-Up
This is an item found in a game that gives the player's character added powers, such as greater strength, speed, or the ability to turn into a flying antelope. Power-ups usually wear off after a short time, since they give the player an advantage over opponents.
Respawn
In many multiplayer games, if your character dies, it will reappear in a random location, or "respawn." Also, items you collect during the game will often respawn after a set amount of time. Knowing when items will respawn is key to the strategy of most FPS games.
Server
A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, when you want to join a game on Xbox Live, you choose from a list of servers running the game.
Strategy Guide
A book or web document that tells you all you need to know about a game. Strategy guides cover everything from characters, to storyline, to walking you completely through every step of the game. They're useful when you're stuck, though some people avoid strategy guides, preferring to unlock the game's secrets on their own. Synonym: walkthrough.
XP (Experience Points)
In roleplaying games, the player gains these by defeating enemies or accomplishing key goals. After a certain number of points, the player gains new abilities and grows stronger, a process known as "leveling up."
Gamers play in many different ways. Here are some terms you might hear when someone describes another gamer's style.
Button Mashing
When the (usually novice) game player randomly presses all the buttons on a controller during game play. A method commonly employed when learning martial arts-based fighting games. Button mashing decreases as the player learns actual moves.
Camping
In an online game, camping is when a player stays in one place, usually to limit other players' access to an important item or location. Excessive campers will often invoke the wrath of other players on a server.
Chat-Frag
In most first-person shooters, players have the ability to chat with each other by typing. You can usually tell when someone's chatting by the small symbol next to their character's head. It's considered unsportsmanlike to attack a player when they're chatting.
Frag
In a first-person shooter, to defeat an opponent. Also refers to a point gained from fragging said opponent.
Kick
To remove a player from a server. This can be done by either an administrator, or through a vote by the other players. A player can be kicked for a number of reasons, such as annoying other players, cheating, or otherwise disrupting the game.
Owned
Defeated soundly, or otherwise embarrassed. Synonym: pwned, schooled, housed.
Clan
A team of players who play together online, usually in an FPS. A clan may consist of players from the same town, or all over the world, and may play together casually, or in tournaments for often sizable cash prizes. Clan players can usually be identified by a symbol, or "tag," next to their nickname in the game.
Guild
Like a clan, but for an MMORPG rather than an FPS. Guild members help players work together, increase each others' chances of survival, or just socialize.
Griefers
Players in online games that taunt other players, especially beginners; thwart fellow teammates in the games; use inappropriate language; cheat; form itinerant gangs with other griefers; block entryways; lure monsters toward unwary players; or otherwise use the game merely to annoy a convenient target or harass other players. Synonym: troll, lamer, llama.
Newbie
A novice player, especially in an established online game with a large community of experienced players. Synonym: newb, noob.
Nick
The nickname a player uses in-game.
