Introduction
Esports has become a rapidly growing industry in recent years, with millions of viewers tuni
Introduction
Esports has become a rapidly growing industry in recent years, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch professional gamers compete in various video games. With this growth, a vast array of terminologies has emerged in the industry. It can be a bit overwhelming for those new to the scene. In this article, we will compile a comprehensive list of English terminologies used in esports.
General Esports Terms
Esports - Competitive gaming using video games.
Game title - The name of a particular video game that is played in esports competitions.
LAN - Local Area Network. A network of computers, usually in close proximity, where players can compete in a tournament setting.
Online - Playing against other players over the internet instead of on a LAN.
Tournament - Event where players compete against each other in their respective game’s biggest event of the year.
Match - Individual round or series of games between two teams/players.
Games and Game Genres
MOBA - Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. A strategy-based game genre where players control a single character in a team of players to compete against another team with the goal of destroying their base.
RTS - Real-Time Strategy. A strategy-based game genre where players build structures, collect resources, and engage in tactical combat with opponents.
FPS - First Person Shooter. A fast-paced game genre where players compete in a multiplayer setting, typically trying to eliminate other players.
Card game - A game played with a deck of cards that have different abilities and values. In esports, card games such as Hearthstone and Magic: The Gathering are popular.
Sports game - A game simulating sports such as soccer or basketball. Popular games in the genre include FIFA and NBA 2K.
Team and Player Terms
Team - A group of players that compete together.
Player - Individual participating in an esports competition.
Captain - The leader of a team with resposinbility to make key decisions during matches.
Coach - A person designated to guide and train a team to play their best.
Roster - Full list of players on a team.
Substitute/Stand-In - Player, not part of the starting roster, who fills in during a match or tournament.
Match and Tournament Terms
Best of X - A series of games, usually an odd number, to determine a winner. The team/player with the most wins/ties after the games are played win the match.
Round-robin - A format where each team plays every other team in the tournament once.
Double elimination - A format of a tournament where teams play until they lose two games. Teams will then compete in the losers bracket, while the winner plays on in the winners bracket.
Single elimination - A format where a team is eliminated after losing just one match.
Seeding - Ranking assigned to each team at the beginning of a tournament to determine their initial matchups.
Grand finals - The final match of a tournament.
Communication and Strategy Terms
Callouts - Communication between team members identifying opponent’s locations.
Chemistry - Understanding of teammates playstyle and ability to work together effectively.
Metagame/meta - Styles of play and strategies that are commonly used in a particular game.
Rotations - Strategy executed by a team to rapidly move to different areas of the map in a synchronized manner.
Sponsorship and Media Terms
Advertising - Promoting products or services in esports. Companies often advertise in esports events to be seen by the large audience.
Sponsorship - Financial compensation in exchange for a company’s branding on a team’s jerseys, products, or other marketing materials.
Streamer - A player who broadcasts themselves playing a game on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube.
Viewer - A person who watches an esports event or stream.
In conclusion, esports has grown exponentially in the last few years and with that growth has come a plethora of new terminology. This list is by no means exhaustive but should give you a solid foundation to understand and enjoy the exciting world of esports.