Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Armored tank warrior walking in cathedral
Action Games Meet the dev who quit Rockstar Games during GTA 6 fever to make a single-player MMO-like
New games 2026: images of Saros, GTA 6, Beast of Reincarnation, and 007 First Light with a plus sign in the middle.
Games New games 2026 and beyond: The biggest video game release dates for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Switch, and more
Upcoming Xbox Series X/S games: Four pictures showing Fable 4, GTA 6, Forza 6, and Aphelion
FPS Games Upcoming Xbox Series X games for 2026 and beyond
Arc Raiders player holding a gun in red light
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders studio contacted by crime scientist "intrigued by how players are interacting"
Best FPS games: A screenshot of the Doom Slayer shooting a Cyberdemon in the game Doom Eternal.
FPS Games The 25 best FPS games to play in 2026
Mass Effect 2 - Garrus
Adventure Games The 25 best video game stories of all-time
Pragmata screenshot taken on PS5
Action Games Pragmata review: "Blasting and hacking in sync has me locked in for Capcom's sci-fi shooter"
Pragmata hack complete
Action Games Everything you need to know about hacking in Pragmata
Pragmata Diana hacking in the Shelter with her arm outstretched
Action Games 12 Pragmata tips and tricks for new players
A header image for the Best Games 2026 list with a GamesRadar+ logo, showing Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Marathon, and Monster Hunter Stories 3
Games The best games to play in 2026, so far
Pragmata two Upgrade components in a safe box
Action Games All Pragmata resources and currencies and how to get them
Kliff fighting a Black Bear warrior in Crimson Desert
Open World Games Crimson Desert players keep losing boss fights to a haunted book that forces you to read it
Marathon's Vandal sitting down with legs crossed
FPS Games Marathon's been secretly telling you to "kill for mommy"
In Half-Life 2, Alyx Vance gestures towards the player who's viewing the scene from a first-person perspective while Dr Eli Vance looks on next to Judith Mossman
Games The 20 best classic PC games everyone needs to try in 2026
In Yakuza 0, protagonist Kiryu powerfully punches an enemy in a busy street where other enemies surround him in battle
RPGs 10 Best ARPGs to play in 2026
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action Games

GamesMaster's guide to video game acronyms

Features
By GamesMaster_ published 24 February 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

DOTA

DOTA

Stands for: Defense Of The Ancients

What is it? A real-time strategy game of the MOBA genre (see MOBA) and one-time mod of Blizzards Warcraft 3. There are so many playable characters that it requires rigorous preparation to even understand, let alone play. Im going to go and play some DOTA. Nurse, cancel my three oclock. And my five oclock. In fact, cancel March.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
NPC

NPC

Stands for: Non-player character

What is it? Any cast member in a game who is controlled by AI. So, basically everybody in every video game ever. Let's put it another way: it's someone youll probably try to have sex with in a BioWare game. This Christmas we should all wish for NPCs on Earth.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
FTW

FTW

Stands for: For the win

What is it? An expression indicating favour towards something. It's used to signal a preference of tactics, equipment, combat class, or fizzy pop. Fun fact: also WTF backwards. Gamer A: Dude, should I have strawberry jam or marmite on my toast? I just cant decide. Gamer B: Marmite FTW.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
PSN

PSN

Stands for: PlayStation Network

What is it? Sonys online gaming platform. It's what you curse at least once a week for being unavailable due to maintenance, and is a hackers paradise. Dude, watch me take down the PSN its easier than getting a platinum on Terminator: Salvation!

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
HP

HP

Stands for: Hit points

What is it? The arbitrary number that is assigned to your in-game life force. When this runs out, youre dead. If it existed in real-life it would be replenished by coffee with a heal-over-time effect. Damn, Sephiroth didnt even touch her HP bar and shes a goner. If only this was a normal battle event!

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
PVP/PVE

PVP/PVE

Stands for: Player Versus Player / Player Versus Environment

What is it? When we fight against each other or side-by-side against the game. It's the area of MMOs where youre allowed to beat down on other players/a safe haven of teamwork and camaraderie. Whatever happens in PvP, stays in PvP. Unless it happens in PvE. Then its there, too. Probably.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
K:D

K:D

Stands for: Kill:Death Ratio

What is it? The number of kills you wrack up divided by the number of deaths youve suffered. It's basically a completely arbitrary number which you have no good reason to get angry or defensive over, but will anyway. Having said that, it's often impressive enough to put on your CV. You know what they say about guys with big shoes? Tiny K:D ratios.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
QTE

QTE

Stands for: Quick Time Event

What is it? An indirect control method commonly used in third-person action games. It's often decried by haughty types who believe in the sanctity of a controllers input/output relationship. Worshipped by Sony Santa Monica. Watch, kiddies, as Kratos uses a QTE to graphically remove the head of yet another Greek god. Right: nap time!

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
MOBA

MOBA

Stands for: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena

What is it? A typically top-down strategy game wherein teams of players must battle against each other to conquer objectives via unit management. It's the genre that every big publisher is looking at with dollar signs in their eyes. Guys, guys, guys. We all love a good MOBA so lets leave the mums out of this.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
OCIOOAAALCMMICOML!!!

OCIOOAAALCMMICOML!!!

Stands for: Oh crap Im out of ammo and a lab-created malevolent monstrosity is chewing on my leg!

What is it? A refrain heard several times during every Resident Evil game. And it's what youll scream as the men in white coats wheel you into the back of a van. OCIOOAAALCMMICOML!!! MOTHER!!!

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Wii U PS4 Xbox One Platforms Nintendo PlayStation Xbox
PRODUCTS
Dragon Age: Inquisition Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Resident Evil 4 HD Final Fantasy VII League of Legends Dota 2
GamesMaster_
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter
Read more
Avowed screenshot depicting combat with a corrupted plague bear, the protagonist wielding a sword and a magical spellbook
Action RPGs 11 Avowed tips and tricks for beginners in the Living Lands
 
 
Pragmata hack complete
Action Games Everything you need to know about hacking in Pragmata
 
 
Arc Raiders Bastion chasing a player
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders has a hidden "magic" system, and you've never noticed it because you're not supposed to
 
 
A plane in the air in Delivery Must Complete
Action Games The comically long name of this Steam publisher led me to the discovery of a sick Ace Combat and DMC-inspired roguelike
 
 
Dragon Age
Games The best narrative designers are being inspired by the "excellent" design of your uncontrollable horniness
 
 
Helldivers 2 PS5 screenshot
Games The 25 best online games to play in 2026
 
 
Latest in Action Games
Star Fox
Action Games The original Star Fox puppets were apparently destroyed by the Godzilla Minus One studio
 
 
Assassin's Creed screenshot of Altair walking through a crowded street
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed 1 remake could be next after Black Flag Resynced, leaker says
 
 
The Last of Us Part 2 screenshot shows two characters riding on horses across a snowy landscape.
The Last of Us The Last of Us Online was "the best multiplayer game" many Naughty Dog devs had "ever played," ex game director says
 
 
Two ships in a battle on the sea during the upcoming PS5 game, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed: Black Flag lead writer "wrote 2 new scenes" for Resynced
 
 
Abby in The Last of Us Part 2
The Last of Us The Last of Us Part 2's major death "was controversial internally too," says former Naughty Dog dev
 
 
In Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, protagonist Edward Kenway sits on a rooftop looking out over Havana
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced parkour "builds on" improvements from Shadows and Valhalla
 
 
Latest in Features
Blood of Dawnwalker screenshot showing Unreal Engine 5 open world
RPGs Five reasons why The Blood of Dawnwalker is becoming my most anticipated RPG of 2026
 
 
The cast of Citadel season 2.
Streaming Services All the movies and shows streaming on Prime Video in May 2026
 
 
A side by side of the Steam Controller with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K
Gaming Controllers The Steam Controller doesn't appear to be a hit for competitive play, so here are the best alternatives
 
 
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Razer Blade 14, and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI gaming laptops lined up on a wooden desk
Laptops I put the best 14-inch gaming laptops head to head and Asus still came out on top, but there's just one caveat
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 screenshots from the Early Access trailer
Roguelike Games I love Slay the Spire 2, I hate Slay the Spire 2
 
 
Xbox Series S
Games Xbox has changed its name and backtracked on Game Pass prices, but is it too little too late?
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. arc raiders a line in the sand
    1
    A Line in the Sand's clues are incredibly unhelpful in Arc Raiders, so here's what you need to do
  2. 2
    Steam hit Windrose won't get a major update for "at least 6 months" as devs focus on fixing the problems their open-world pirate survival game already has
  3. 3
    If you want to play Warhammer without needing to buy armies, scenery, and extra models, this board game is for you
  4. 4
    How to use the Dockmaster's Detector in Arc Raiders
  5. 5
    Doctor Doom actor Robert Downey Jr. says he did "dream work" with Fantastic Four star Vanessa Kirby to help get into character for Avengers: Doomsday

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...