Whether you are part of an online gaming community or someone who prefers solo play, there are some definitions that everyone needs to know to get the most out of gaming today.
Whichever type of games you like to play, and nobody says that you have to stick to just one kind of gaming, there are some universal definitions that slip off the tongue of any gaming insider. Some of them are useful to know if you ever have to contact customer services or a technical department because they might help resolve a problem sooner.
Some definitions relate to specific games, and others are more generic. Knowing these will, if nothing else, help you sound knowledgeable. You could think of them as a ‘bluffer’s guide’ or a way to make it look like you are an expert in your field.
Arcade Games
Arcade games are usually found in public places like malls and amusement arcades (hence the name), and they had their golden age from the late 1970s through the 1980s. Anyone wanting to play video games, pinball machines, or slots needed to do so on one of these stand-alone machines. While their popularity declined as console and PC games became dominant, many people still have fond memories of playing on these.
Classic Gaming
Arcade games have short levels, which rapidly increase in difficulty. The controls are simple and intuitive. Each stand-alone machine only featured a single game, and you can still find some pretty sophisticated ones around with realistic peripheral features. In addition, many of the titles from these games have gone on to become arcade classic video and gambling games that can be played online via streaming services. It is a classic case of “back to the future”.
Backwards Compatibility
This is the ability of a games console to run software that was created for previous versions of the newer version in the series. For example, the PS5 can run most PS4 games and is therefore ‘backwards’ compatible.
CPU
The Central Processing Unit is the hardware component at the core of the computational unit in a server. Smart devices and servers convert data into digital signals, and the CPU processes the signals, making computing possible.
It is the ‘brain’ of the device fetching instructions from memory, performing required tasks and outputting them back into the memory. Essentially, it is an essential part of the computer’s setup. No CPU, no gaming.
Double Down
Doubling down is an exciting blackjack move that can be profitable when online gambling. A double down is when the player doubles their bet in the middle of a hand, after which they only receive one more card. If the player is dealt a low card, they could risk losing twice as many chips, so knowing when to double down in Blackjack takes skill and experience. Experts say it is about getting the balance right between playing it safe and taking the risk.
Extra Spins
When playing online slots, there are more ways to win than you might imagine. One of an iGamer’s favourite rewards, other than hitting the jackpot, is the chance to win extra spins and extend playing time (and chances of winning). While winning money is part of the thrill of playing online slots, for many people, the thrill of possibly winning is what keeps them coming back for more. Extra spins mean extra fun.
Frame-rate
Games, in any genre, are made up of a rapid succession of still images played at high speed to create the illusion of movement. Frame-rate is the unique number of still images (frames) the computer produces every second.
Git gud
Git gud is the deliberate misspelling of Get Good and is a rallying call to raise one’s own skill level in a particularly challenging part of a game. When players complain that a game is unreasonably tricky, they are encouraged to ‘git gud’, persevere with the game and overcome the challenge through learning and patience.
HDR
Everyone knows that games are better in HDR, but do they know what it stands for? HDR is an acronym for ‘high dynamic range and the technology improves image quality by adding greater depth of colour and more realistic representation of light and shade.
iGaming
iGaming refers to any online betting that wagers on the future outcome of a game or event. Online casinos, sports betting, fantasy betting, poker and eSports wagering are all forms of iGaming. While traditional gamers might think iGaming is a niche, the global market was worth USD 292.1 billion in 2023, which is actually pretty massive!
Jackpot
Well this is what everyone wants to win when iGaming at the online slots. The jackpot is the big prize that can be won.
While it is sometimes tempting to go for games offering the highest jackpot, seasoned iGamers know that the win rates on smaller jackpots mean that you can win more money by collecting smaller wins along the way.
Kiting
Kiting is the tactic of luring an enemy away from their location either as a distraction or to lead them to an area that suits the player better for combat. Players might ‘kite’ the enemy in Call of Duty so that they are cut off from other enemies, and the player doing the kiting avoids particular hazards.
Losing Streak
Sometimes, Lady Luck just is not on your side. This can happen in standard gaming and iGaming. You just find yourself losing all your stakes or lives. It is usually a good time to take a break and do something else like take the dog for a walk or have a cup of tea. If you are gambling for real money, it is definitely not the time to lean in or borrow money to stay in the game.
Real Money vs. Virtual Money
When playing online, iGamers can gamble for real money at real-money online casinos. Some people prefer just to play for fun and enjoy casino games at virtual social casinos for virtual currency, usually in the form of gold coins.
PVY / PVE
These are shorthand for ‘Player versus Player’ and ‘Player versus Enemy / Environment’. It is all about who you compete against, a fellow human or a computer.
