Since the origin of video games in the early 1970s, the video game industry, the players, and surrounding culture have spawned a wide range of technical jargons and slang terms.
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1CC Abbreviation of one-credit completion or one-coin clear. To complete an arcade (or arcade-style) game without using continues.
1-up An object that gives the player an extra life (or attempt) in games where the player has a limited number of chances to complete a game or level.
100% To collect all collectibles or to also obtain all achievements (see below) within a game, either indicated within games as a percentage counter or determined by consensus of the community of players.
1v1 An abbreviation of 1 versus 1, denoting two players battling against each other. Can be extended to any player versus player grouping, such as '2v2' to mean two teams of two battling each other, or "1v4" to refer to a team of four players against one (as seen in asymmetrical gameplay).
2D graphics 2D graphics refers to the rendering of visual elements using two-dimensional graphics primitives and bitmaps, commonly used in applications such as video games.
2.5D graphics Also isometric graphics.Graphic rendering technique of three-dimensional objects set in a two-dimensional plane of movement. Often includes games where some objects are still rendered as sprites. 360 no-scope A 360 no-scope usually refers to a trick shot in a first or third-person shooter video game in which one player kills another with a sniper rifle by first spinning a full circle and then quickly shooting without looking through the scope.
3D graphics Graphic rendering technique featuring three-dimensional objects.
4K resolution See other resolutions, such as 1080p and 1440p.An aspect ratio of digital display devices such as televisions and monitors, supporting up to 3840 × 2160 pixel (roughly 4 kilopixels wide) resolutions. 4X A genre of strategic video games, short for "eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate". Such games are usually complicated, involving extensive diplomacy, technology trees, and win conditions.
8-bit A descriptor for hardware or software that arose during the third generation of video game consoles, targeting 8-bit computer architecture.
16-bit A descriptor for hardware or software that arose during the fourth generation of video game consoles, targeting 16-bit computer architecture.
32-bit A descriptor for hardware or software that arose during the fifth generation of video game consoles, targeting 32-bit computer architecture.
64-bit A descriptor for hardware or software that arose during the fifth generation of video game consoles, targeting 64-bit computer architecture.
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AAA Also triple A.A high-budget game with a large development team. AAA games are usually multiplatform or are first-party, have multimillion-dollar budgets, and expect to sell millions of copies. Abandonware A game that is forgotten about or abandoned by its developers for any number of reasons, including copyright issues.
Ace Usually used within first-person shooters, where a single player manages to eliminate the entire opposing team by themselves while their teammates are alive. Can also be used to describe situations where a player manages to complete a possibly difficult section of game flawlessly. Comparable to pentakill in competitive games with teams made up of 5 players, such as MOBAs. Not to be confused with Team Ace.
Achievement Also badge, trophy, medal, cheevo. Meta-goals defined outside a game's parameters. May be external achievements such as those on Xbox Live or Steam. Achievement hunter A player who attempts to collect all achievements in a game. Achievement hunters tend to be completionists.
Act Sometimes used to refer to individual levels or groups of levels that make up a larger world or storyline. Rarely refers to a downloadable game intended to be part of a larger series which functions as a single game series and gameplay-wise.
Action game A game genre emphasizing hand–eye coordination, reflexes, timing, and other physical skills. It includes fighting games, shooters, and platformers.
Action point (AP)
A subunit of a player's turn. For example, a game may allow an action to occur only so long as the player has sufficient 'action points' to complete the action.
Action role-playing game (ARPG) A genre of role-playing video game where battle actions are performed in real-time instead of a turn-based mechanic.
Actions per minute (APM) The total number of actions that a player can perform in a minute, commonly used as a metric for player skill in real-time strategy games.
Adaptive music Game music which changes and reacts to the actions of the player and state of the game in an attempt to better reflect the game atmosphere.
Adaptive AI A form of artificial intelligence that dynamically adapts gameplay, game environments, and non-player character (NPC) behavior based on player performance, behavior, and interactions to provide a personalized gaming experience.
Add-on See downloadable content.
Adds A term used commonly in role-playing video games, MMORPGs and beat-'em-ups, referring to the "additional enemies" called in by bosses during encounters.
Advance and secure (AAS) A player versus player team-based game mode used in tactical first-person shooter games where the players on opposing teams must capture certain predefined points of interest in a game environment in a certain preset order.
Adventure game A game genre which emphasizes puzzles, exploration and narrative.
AFK Meaning "away from keyboard". Generally said through a chat function in online multiplayer games when a player intends to be temporarily unavailable.
Agency Related to the psychological term of agency, agency or player agency in video games refers to means used by developers to implement the game to make it feel like the player is in control of the game with the game reacting to the player's actions, even though the game itself is fixed in its approach.
Aggro An abbreviation of 'aggravation' or 'aggression'. 'Causing aggro' or 'aggroing' in a video game means to attract hostile attention from NPCs or enemies to attack the player-character. 'Managing aggro' involves keeping aggressive NPCs from overwhelming the player or party. The term may be facetiously used in reference to irritated bystanders ('wife aggro', 'mother aggro', etc). Also see hate and rushdown.
Aim assist See auto-aim
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