Gaming+Terminologies+(gadgetpants

By now we should all be familiar with the basic 1337 terminologies. They found their making first in the [|IRC]channels of old; reserved for the few and the brave who pioneered on-line discourse. But with the advent of instant messenger, this formerly idiomatic and esoteric speak was expanded to a vast number of every day adolescents and young adults. Basic English comprises some of our most recognizable terms such as “lol” and “rofl” and expanding to include substitution with numbers for terms such as “4real” and “h8 u” - to name a few basics.

Casual chartrooms and forums are not the only laboratories for numeric English experiments. Internet culture is much more encompassing. Another vector of study that would be good to look at from an [|etymological] perspective would be the online gaming community. It was here that the venerable “n00b” was born. It's manifestation can be tracked from plain English: (“Neophyte” --->) “New player” > “Newbie” or “newb” > “noob” > “n00b”

That is where we stand now, largely. It is the most basic insult to crappy gamers. It is still valid throughout the gaming world but has begun to take on a more antiquated feel. And as can be expected, further extrapolations of “n00b” can be seen. Some of the longer examples revert to simple English lettering (for ease and speed of expression), but some examples include: “noobixcube,” “noobasauras rex,” “skillless noob”, and now the well known, “nub.”

“Hax” was also a favorite among gamers who, upon a stunning defeat, might call out his opponent for using a “map hack” or some other means of routing the system to their advantage. “Hax” (note the x) immediately became the colloquial term and has been applied to the gaming world, the real world and the imaginary world of politics. Elaborations of this can include “l33t h4xorz,” or possibly a “teh h4ax.”

Some of the most cohesive and relevant gamer terminology comes from [|Starcraft]/[|Starcraft2]. “GG” or “gg” meaning “good game” is a near-universal understanding of good gaming conduct and sportsmanship. There are few games as intensive and trying as high-level Starcraft and being able to sit back after a stressful battle and say “gg wp” (good game well played) is a mark of maturity. To omit a “gg” at the end of a match would simply be “bm” (bad manners) even if you think his most relied upon unit was “wai op” (way overpowered).