Esports Jargon 101:
Any newcomer to esports gaming may find it difficult to understand what players mean when they talk to each other. As games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive have grown in popularity, the terms used to define events within the game have evolved into a distinct language. Here are some of the most frequently used terms in gaming.
- AoE – Area of Affect. This is the estimated range of a weapon. While rifles use only a straight line, grenades can reach a much larger radius.
- AFK – Away From Keyboard. Everyone occasionally needs an emergency break from a game.
- Buff – Power Increase. This refers to strength that is added to help level the combat power between agents.
- Bullet Sponge – This applies to agents who are very difficult to eliminate, even when caught in heavy gunfire.
- Camping – When players are camping, it means they are avoiding direct battle and waiting for other players to do all the hard work.
- Cheesing – When players indulge in cheese, they are using an inexpensive strategy, such as multiple power combos, to defeat an enemy.
- Dungeon – A high number of enemies in a small, enclosed space.
- Ganking – This occurs when multiple players of great strength target a weak player or team.
- Grinding – Repetitive actions to earn rewards.
- K/D – Kill-to-Death. It’s a ratio that defines a shooter’s performance by dividing kills with deaths. For example, an agent that has killed eight opponents while being killed only twice is said to have a K/D of 4.0.
- Lag – This is the slight time delay between completing an action and it is acknowledged by the game’s system.
- Meta – This refers to any new strategy that evolves in a game. It’s something every player needs to look out for.
- MO – Mana Points. The term indicates what is required to gain access to a specialized skill.
- Nerf – This means the balance of strength between agents. It’s mostly used to determine a reduction of power in super-strong agents.
- NPC – Non-Player Character. Some characters in the game are not available to use. Their purpose is usually to provide advice. Newcomers should be aware that eliminating a NFC incurs a penalty.
- Peeling – Distracting an enemy to help a team member who is struggling to survive.
- Ragequit – A tantrum. Players who are suffering intense pressure often explode with rage and storm out of a game regardless of how their actions may affect their team.
- Spawn – Start point. Every player starts, or spawns, in a location on the map.
- Tag – A player’s nickname.
LoL LEC schedule here – Discover when the next League of Legends tournaments are to be played. It’s the best way to listen out for the esports jargon listed here.
Mustafa Al Mahmud is the founder and owner of Games Emulator, a leading gaming site. With over 7 years of experience in the tech industry, Mustafa aims to provide honest, in-depth analysis and insights on the latest games.
A self-proclaimed “tech geek,” Mustafa first developed a passion for technology as a computer science student at the Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology. After graduation, he worked at several top tech firms leading product development teams and honing his skills as both an engineer and innovator. However, he always dreamed of having a platform to share his perspectives on the gaming world.