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The gaming industry has grown exponentially over the years, and with it, a whole new language of acronyms and abbreviations has emerged.
Gamers worldwide use this slang to communicate quickly and effectively during gameplay. These terms are now part of everyday gaming vocabulary. But how did this jargon come about?
The story behind the vernacular is just as interesting as the words themselves.
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The Origins of Gaming Slang
Gaming slang has undoubtedly evolved and become more complex with the growth of online gaming. How did it all begin, though?
It all dates back to the very first arcades. Gamers used terms like “extra life” and “kill screen” as early as the late 1970s and early 1980s to reference specific game elements. With the emergence of the first online games, such as Everquest and Ultima Online, along with the first chat systems, such as ICQ, gamer slang and trash talk achieved a new level.
Their use only expanded as new technologies came about, quickly spreading across virtual chat spaces, forums, and other communities of dedicated gamers. Nowadays, gamers use slang terms interchangeably in conversation, multiplexing between different popular shooters or strategy titles.
Common Acronyms and Abbreviations in the Gaming World
As gaming slang continues to evolve, more acronyms and abbreviations are used within the gaming community. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular ones below:
FPS
Do you enjoy games like Call of Duty? It’s a prime example of an FPS, a first-person shooter. Any game with the camera angle from the first person will likely fall into this category.
RPG
The oldest and most widely played game in this category is none other than Dungeons and Dragons. It’s an abbreviation for “role-playing game”.
MMORPG
As mentioned above, the first massively multiplayer online role-playing games were UO and EQ. But they are still popular three decades later. For the first time, gamers could log in en masse and play with each other. Or kill each other. Whichever was floating their boat at the time.
MOBA
Games like DOTA fall into this category. It stands for the multiplayer online battle arena. So if League of Legends is your poison, you’re a MOBA gamer.
PvE
You get off work. You’re tired. All you want to do is sit back, relax, and kill some monsters, which could be called “spawn” or “mobs,” depending on the game. This is PvE play, which is short for player versus environment.
PvP
If going head-to-head with other players is your sport, then you’re a “PvPer”, which is an abbreviation for player vs. player.
AFK
If you need a quick break to use the bathroom or grab a snack, then you’re going “AFK”. What is the AFK meaning in text? You’re going “away from the keyboard”.
BRB
Most gamers have limited playtime. For the most part, you start playing when you want and quit playing when it’s time to sleep or do something else. But if you’re in a gaming group, keeping your playmates informed is nice. Just say “BRB,” which means “be right back”.
The Rise of Online Gaming and the Emergence of New Terminology
The emergence of online gaming over the past decade has changed how we play games. Not only have advances in technology allowed people to play against each other across continents and turned gaming into a legitimate profession, but it has also introduced a new set of terminology that is used in gaming communities.
While many of them aren’t appropriate to discuss in this post, the more important takeaway is that new technology has changed the way gamers communicate. Given the speed of the internet and the games themselves, there isn’t always a lot of time to discuss things like strategy.
Terms such as “trammy”, ”’noob” (slang for newbie), and ‘”pay-to-win” are commonly used by gamers to communicate their sentiments about specific game experiences. Gamers don’t always have time to break down their dissatisfaction. So they just call their teammate a “noob” and move on.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Gaming Slang
Social media has also played an essential role in the evolution of gaming slang. Platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Twitch allow gamers to connect with each other and share their knowledge and opinions on certain games.
This has led to an increased focus on specific terms as more people join in the conversation, leading to a wider variety of slang terms being developed and used. Some Twitch and YouTube live communities have their own slang and code words that are only used within the community.
As gaming continues to evolve, more and more acronyms and abbreviations will no doubt be created, giving us even more ways to communicate with each other in a fast-paced online world.
The Impact that Gaming Slang Has Had on Pop Culture
It’s worth noting the impact that gaming slang has had on popular culture. What was once a niche industry with its own language is now commonplace in everyday conversations.
Gaming terms like “gg” (good game) are often used outside of the video game context to communicate good wishes or celebrate success.
In addition, many of these terms have been adopted by TV shows, movies, and other media outlets. The most popular ones, such as “noob,” are becoming widely used within the entertainment industry.
Wrapping It Up
The gaming world has come a long way since its early days, and it is clear that gaming slang has played an integral role in making this happen. From humble beginnings in arcades and living rooms to the vibrant gaming communities of today, acronyms and abbreviations have helped us navigate an ever-evolving world.
As we move into the future, it will be interesting to see how gaming slang continues to shape our culture. That’s all for today. GG.