Game Term Glossary
Here's a list of some terms used by gamers.
- AFK
- (A)way (F)rom (K)eyboard. The player is no longer in front of their computer.
- Alpha
- First unofficial release of a game. Usually, has lots of bugs.
- ARPG
- Action-based Role Playing Game. (See RPG)
- Avatar
- A digital representation of the player.
- Beta
- Second unofficial release of a game that has less bugs than the alpha release.
- Boss
- A tougher-than-normal enemy in the game.
- DRM
- (D)igital (R)ights (M)anagement. A protection built into software, such as a game, to limit or restrict its use.
- Farming
- Performing a repetitive, mundane action in a game in order to build up a resource.
- FPS
- (F)irst (P)erson (S)hooter. A game where you cannot see your character and go around shooting things.
- God Mode
- A cheat or hack that gives the player an unbeatable edge.
- Lag
- Poor game performance.
- MMO
- A game that allows many players to connect through the internet and interact with one another.
- MMORPG
- (M)assively (M)ultiplayer (O)nline. This is the combination of two separate terms (MMO and RPG) to describe a Massively Multiplayer Online game with role playing elements.
- Nerf
- Typically refers to a formerly-powerful piece of equipment that has been weakened or made useless. Can also refer to the results of a PVP battle, when your opponent is resurrected in a much-weaker state.
- Noob
- Someone who is new to a game.
- NPC
- (N)on (P)layer (C)haracter. Refers to any characters in the game that are not controlled by any player.
- PVE
- (P)layer (V)ersus (E)nvironment. Refers to players having to survive the environment of a game.
- PVP
- (P)layer (V)ersus (P)layer. This is a feature sometimes offered in MMOs where players can fight one another.
- Quest
- A task the player undertakes in order to obtain a reward or advance the game story.
- Simulator
- A game that attempts to recreate real-life experience, such as driving a car or flying an airplane.
- Survival Horror
- A challenging, suspenseful game that is similar to a horror movie.
- RPG
- (R)ole (P)laying (G)ame. A game where the player assumes a role of a character in a story.
- RTS
- (R)eal (T)ime (S)trategy. A game where the player has to make strategic decisions that have an immediate effect on events in the game.