Introduction

Like any other industry and any other hobby, gaming also has its own language. Gaming has its own lingo (a set of terminologies) that might sound alien to non-gamers. So, if you’re someone who has recently started gaming or want to stay updated with the latest gamer lingo, you’ve landed on the right page. 

In this blog, we have listed and explained 36 of the most common gaming terms and jargon in simple terms. Read along to find out what they mean.

36 video game terms every gamer should know

  1. Triple-A or AAA : Triple-A (AAA) refers to games and titles produced by the big studios, like EA and Ubisoft. The AAA’s are the big budget titles that have a lot of marketing activities surrounding them. These games are in contrast with the indie titles which are developed by smaller game development teams and studios.
  2. The Adds: This video gaming term means “Additional enemies” or “Additional monsters” that might appear during boss encounters. When you are fighting the main monster or enemy, many times there are other things you need to fight to get to them.
  3. Aggro : Gaming term ‘Aggro’ means “Aggravation” or “Aggravated.” This gamer lingo is used when the enemy or monster is only interested in hitting you and not any other player.
  4. AoE or “Area of Effect”: Area of Effect (AoE) means the abilities and spells that only work in some areas rather than just against a single foe. Typically, these are depicted by green circles while casting and red circles when damage is inflicted. 
  5. AFK: This abbreviation stands for ‘Away From Keyboard’ which means that you’re temporarily not available for playing the game.
  6. BoA or Bind on Account : “Bind on Account” refers to items that once taken up can’t be transferred to other players. They can, however, be transferred to another character from the same account. These are usually found in MMOs. 
  7. BoE or Bind on Equip : “Bind on Equip” or BoE means that the item is bound to a specific character once it has been equipped and it can’t be transferred.
  8. Bots: Bots mean computers or all the non-human opponents in multiplayer video games. There are multiplayer games that allow you to play the game mode by yourself or even with your friends and other players in a local multiplayer against the bots.
  9. Buff: Buff means boosting or increasing the base or basic statistics of a character or its ability. In a MOBA video game, buff refers to a jungle monster which gives you additional statistics. These special stats give you an edge over the enemies who don’t have them.
  10. Bullet Sponge: A bullet sponge refers to an enemy which takes a huge amount of damage to kill. Basically, it ‘sucks up’ the damage like a sponge). 
  11. Camping: This is one of the most common gaming terms which means to stay in one particular spot. It is majorly used in FPS when players are hiding around a hallway or a corner to surprise drop on others. Used in online shooter games, such as Call of Duty.
  12. Cheesing: To cheese something or cheesing something means that the player is employing cheap tactics for completing an action. For example, someone is repeating some powerful combinations over and over again against their opponent to beat them. Cheesing something is also possible in single player games when you find an easy way out to finish a challenge.
  13. OB/CB : It is the short form of Open Beta and Closed Beta. These gamer terms are used to refer to the games that are under development and some tests are run on them before its official release. Open Beta means the testing is available to the public. Closed Beta means private or invite-based.
  14. CD or Cooldown: Certain items or abilities cool down over time. After using these abilities and items, you will have to wait for some time before you get to use it again.
  15. Crafting: It means using materials that’s gathered in a video game to make other items, like healing potions or weapons.
  16. Sandbox : ASandbox is a popular gaming term that means a title that is open ended and allows players to do whatever they like.

See Also: Gaming Technology Trends in 2021

Conclusion

Gaming is a world full of unique terms and lingo that can be quite overwhelming for newcomers. Understanding these terms will not only help you navigate the gaming universe but also enhance your overall gaming experience. From “Triple-A” titles to “XP” points, the language of gaming can seem complicated, but with a little learning, it becomes second nature. As you continue playing and engaging with the gaming community, you’ll start to see how these terms come together to shape the way gamers communicate. Whether you’re playing casually or diving deep into competitive play, knowing these terms will keep you in the loop and help you better understand the world of video games. For more latest IT news and updates, keep reading iTMunch

FAQs

1. What does “Triple-A” or AAA mean in gaming?

“Triple-A” refers to high-budget, high-profile games produced by large studios like EA and Ubisoft. These games have extensive marketing and often feature cutting-edge graphics and gameplay.

2. What does “AFK” stand for in gaming?

“AFK” means “Away From Keyboard,” indicating that the player is temporarily unavailable or not actively participating in the game.

3. What is “Aggro” in gaming?

“Aggro” refers to the situation where an enemy focuses solely on attacking you, often in multiplayer or role-playing games, instead of other players.

4. What is “DPS” in gaming?

“DPS” stands for “Damage Per Second,” a measurement of how much damage a weapon or spell can deal in a given time. It can also refer to damage-focused character classes.

5. What is a “Noob”?

A “Noob” refers to a new or inexperienced player who is still learning the game. It can be used as an insult but is often used light-heartedly.