a.i.

Artificial intelligence within the game

avatar

Your player

beat 'em up

A fighting game.

bots

Computer controlled players within a game

bunt

To hit with the butt of your weapon

camper

Some who doesn't move in a game. A much debated style of game play.

capture the flag

A game type where a team must take the other teams flag and return it to base.

chuggage

When a game slows down a lot, to the point it is not playable.

clan

A group of gamers who play as a team.

co-op

Co-operative play.

crosshair / reticle

The aiming device for a weapon.

deathmatch

Person with the most 'kills' wins.

dedicted server

Someone running their own game server, but not actually playing on it.

dvd

Some game consoles like Xbox® can play normal DVDs when using a custom DVD remote controller.

easter egg

Hidden content within a game

fps

First Person Shooter. Usually for older children, these games take a first person perspective where the

frag

When an in game character is killed

ftw

For the win.

gameops

Game Administrators who set the rules of a game

gamertag

Your game name (or nickname) - used in Xbox LIVE.

gank

To gang up on someone

gib

Blow someone apart

glitch/bug

A fault within the game.

hud

Heads Up Display. The onscreen interface that supplies information on your player status.

im

Instant Messenger

inverted look

When playing some first person games, some people find the controls opposite to the way they think it should be. Most games allow the controls to be reversed using 'Inverted look'

joypad

The most common controller used to play video games.

joystick

An older style of controller used to play video games.

kicked/ kickban

To remove/ban someone from a game

l33t (leet)

The best / elite.

lag

Delay in an online game from slow internet connection.

launch

To start a game

level

Most games consist of a sequence of chapters, called levels.

lms

Last man standing

lobby

The menus/lobby before a game begins

matchmaking/optimatch

Where gamers of the same standard are matched up in a game

mmorpg

Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. A game where thousands of players play simultaneously online.

mod

A modification that changes the game. Usually modifications are not produced by the original game manufacturer.

nades

Grenades

noobtube

A rocket launcher.

nubie/noob/nub

Someone new to the game

patch

An upgrade to your game released to update content or fix game problems.

ping

The speed of a game server (in numbers). Smaller numbers are better.

platform game

More common in older arcade type games or children’s games, the players character often jumps around the screen often collecting items whilst progressing from level to level.

powerup / pickup

Something in game that increases your players ability

pwned/owned

To be brutally outplayed

racer

A racing or driving game.

readyup

Waiting for all game players to join

real time

When graphics are produced on-the-fly by the console, as opposed to showing a pre-rendered film clip. Real time effects are associated with powerful consoles.

rl

Real Life.

rpg

Role Playing Game. The player assumes the identity of character(s) and take them through a storyline, increasing their abilities by performing challenges.

rts

Real Time Strategy. A game in which the player must usually defeat an opponent using strategic planning and action. These games can often be compared to the board game RISK.

shoot 'em up

A game involving shooting of some kind.

simulator

Simulation game that in some way mimics real life situations. Can be educational as well as entertainment.

skins

A teams colour or texture

spawned

To restart in a game at a certain point/place.

spectator

Someone who watches a game, but not actually playing in it.

splash damage

Damage caused around the edges of a big explosion.

strafing

To step left/right.

survival horror

The equivalent to a horror movie computer game. Usually for an older audience.

team Kill

Friendly Fire within a team game.

uber / ub3r

The biggest / most powerful.

w00t

or the smiley character \o/: An acronym that usually means "We Own the Other Team," used to celebrate victory.

xbox

A video game system. Xbox® takes you way beyond ordinary entertainment. Are you ready to redefine the way you play? Games, movies, music, and more … Xbox lets you share good times with friends and take on competition from around the world.

xbox Live

The technology that allows players to take their game experience online. As well as being able to play other players safely, new content can also be downloaded for games.