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If there’s a PC gamer in your life, you’ve probably been introduced to some of the strange and wonderful terminology associated with their favourite hobby. With so many acronyms, slang and technical terms being thrown about, it can be hard to understand what gamers are talking about.

To help you understand the conversation and – if you dare – start to think about gifts you could get your gamer, we’ve prepared a list of popular gaming terms with definitions and examples. We’ve gone across software (apps and programs), hardware (the physical component) and even some cultural terms to give you a great overview of the whole gaming world. 

AAA (Triple-A) Game

Definition: A high-budget game produced by a major publisher. These games can be in development for years, and are highly anticipated by fans.

Example: Popular series such as Grand Theft Auto, Elder Scrolls and The Last of Us are all considered AAA games. 

Disc Drive

Definition: The physical tray that comes out of a PC or laptop, allowing discs to be inserted and read. Although many modern PCs and laptops no longer feature built-in disc drives and most games can now be purchased digitally, some gamers heavily prize built-in and external disc drives as they allow them to own and use physical copies of their favourite games.

Example: Using a plug-in disc drive, you can run older game discs on new devices – but you might struggle to get them to play correctly!

A disc. Many modern games are now too complex to fit one one.
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DLC

Definition: Short for Downloadable Content, this consists of new content for a game that has already been released, such as new missions, features, items and more. Although some DLC can be downloaded for free, most of it needs to be purchased. Some games may allow customers to buy a Season Pass, giving them access to multiple DLC packages released over a period of time. In some cases, especially for games that are still sold on discs, DLC is known as Expansion Packs.

Example: Gamers do not like it if a game has too much DLC, as it can feel like features have been taken away from the base game to make more money.

FPS

Definition: Short for Frames Per Second and also known as Frame Rate, this refers to the number of images that a computer can produce in one second. The more frames a computer can produce, the smoother the action on the screen will appear. This is especially prized by gamers, as a higher FPS can both make games look better and make fast-action sequences easier to perform.

Example: By using powerful components, you can achieve a high FPS count on your computer.

HDR

Definition: Short for High Dynamic Range. A screen that is compatible with HDR can show a wider range of bright and dark shades. Although screens on many devices are compatible, for gamers HDR is preferred as it can make games look better.

Example: Games with lots of very dark environments can benefit from being played on a HDR screen.

Lag

Definition: The slowing down of interactions between different computers and servers, caused by busyness at either end or in the Wi-Fi connections between them. In games, this can lead to a delay in the time between a control input from a player and the action happening on-screen.

Example: If an online multiplayer game lags, the delay can make you lose to other players.

LAN

Definition: Short for Local Area Network, this refers to devices in the same area that are connected to the same internet router either wirelessly or with Ethernet cables. All the devices in your home that are connected to Wi-Fi are part of a LAN. Even if the internet is not accessible, these devices can still interact with one another. For gaming, playing on the same Wi-Fi connection using the LAN can result in less lag, as the same Wi-Fi connection is used to connect to the game’s servers.

Example: Some gamers attend events known as LAN parties, where they bring their PCs and laptops to the same location to play together.

An example of a LAN party space.
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Launcher

Definition: An app used to buy, manage and start digital copies of games. Launchers allow gamers to play games from major game companies and independent developers. 

Example: Popular game launchers include Steam, Epic Games, and EA. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.

Liquid Cooling

Definition: A way for a gaming PC to be cooled that uses tubes filled with liquid instead of fans. The heat made by the PC’s parts as they are used is drawn into the fluid and carried away, reducing the heat in the PC and allowing it to work more efficiently. Although liquid cooling can be more efficient than fan cooling, there is an increased risk of leaking which can damage the PC.

Example: A properly installed liquid cooling system should go around all of its major parts so everything can work as best as possible.

Livestreaming

Definition: A type of entertainment where a live video recording is shared on a website. Popular livestreams can get millions of views from a global audience, and make the people who host them famous. Gaming livestreams are a very popular genre where a person shares their screen with their audience and reacts as they play a game.

Example: Livestreaming platforms including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Kick often have thousands of different livestreams available at a time, many of them featuring people playing popular and obscure games.

Multiplayer

Definition: Games that allow players to work together or compete against each other. Some games have modes that allow them to be played alone as a single player game or with others in multiplayer, while others are exclusively one or the other. Multiplayer games and modes can work locally with multiple players using the same device, or online over Wi-Fi.

Example: Minecraft is a game that features both multiplayer and single player modes, with many different ways to play.

Overclocking

Definition: Changing the way a computer works so that it completes more tasks in less time. This involves going against manufacturer recommendations, and can lead to computers becoming damaged or breaking completely. Gamers may overclock their devices to get faster performance or better graphics than what they are normally capable of. 

Example: Overclocking a gaming PC can result in better performance without needing to buy new components, but it comes with risks.

Ray Tracing

Definition: A way of creating true-to-life lighting, shadows and reflections in games using high-powered graphics cards. In compatible games, these graphics cards can work out how light should work in a level in real time, making the game look more realistic.

Example: Graphics cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX range are more expensive than others because they are more powerful, allowing them to do things including Ray Tracing.

An NVIDIA Geforce RTX graphics card in a gaming PC.
Image courtesy of Unsplash.

Refresh Rate

Definition: The speed at which a screen can change the image it is showing. In gaming terms, screens with high refresh rates are preferred as they feature less flickering, reducing the strain a user’s eyes are put under.

Example: Monitors built for gaming come with features including high refresh rates to make them easier to use for long periods of time.

Response Time

Definition: The time it takes for a computer to react to an input. If the reaction happens more quickly after the input, the computer’s response time is lower. Gamers prefer devices that have lower response times as it means that they can react more quickly to things that happen in-game.

Example: A high response time can make it harder to react to fast things in games, although your fellow gamers may not be so sympathetic!

RGB

Definition: Short for Red Green Blue, this refers to the light up panels and parts found on gaming PCs, laptops and accessories. For many gamers, having tech that looks as good as it plays is a high priority, and customisable RGB lights are an important part of that.

Example: With the main lights switched off, a gaming PC and accessories with matching RGB lights can look really impressive. 

Rig

Definition: A PC that has been assembled by the user from parts they have chosen themselves. This is a popular but tricky option for gamers as it allows them to select the parts that best fit their requirements, but can also go wrong if the components are assembled incorrectly.

Example: Some gamers have spent years perfecting their rigs, and take great pride in finding the perfect upgrades.

Conclusion

With the help of our PC Gaming Jargon Buster, we hope that you will be able to follow and engage with PC gaming conversations more confidently. This is just a taster, though: there’s many, many more gaming words out there! With the above selection, you should be able to break the ice with the gamers in your life and develop a firm platform for future learning. The world of PC gaming may seem strange or confusing, but with our help you can level up your understanding and take your first steps on the path to victory!