In the fast-paced world of online gaming, communication is key — and abbreviations are the language of the arena. Whether you’re assembling a competitive esports squad or forming a casual clan, understanding gaming shorthand can make or break your recruitment success. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the most important gaming abbreviations every recruiter needs to know.
Why Abbreviations Matter in Gaming Recruitment
Gaming is built on quick reflexes and real-time decisions — and that extends to communication. Players often use abbreviations to save time, share strategies, and express roles or skill levels. If you’re recruiting for a team, being fluent in this language helps you:
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Identify player roles more efficiently
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Understand game-specific terminology
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Communicate expectations clearly
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Filter candidates based on skill and playstyle
Key General Gaming Abbreviations
These universal terms apply across multiple games and genres:
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GG – Good Game: Sportsmanlike phrase used after matches.
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GLHF – An upbeat phrase used before a match to wish opponents and teammates well, encouraging a fun and fair game experience.
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AFK – Away From Keyboard: A player is temporarily inactive.
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DPS – Stands for Damage Per Second, referring to players or characters focused on delivering sustained, high-output damage during battles.
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AoE – Area of Effect: Refers to abilities or attacks that affect multiple enemies in a zone.
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CC – Crowd Control: Abilities that limit opponents’ actions (e.g., stun, freeze, slow).
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HP/MP – Health Points / Mana Points: Core character stats in most RPGs and MOBAs.
Role-Based Abbreviations for Team Composition
Understanding player roles is crucial for building a balanced team. Here are the common ones used across popular genres like MOBAs, FPS, and MMORPGs:
MOBA (e.g., League of Legends, Dota 2)
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ADC – Short for Attack Damage Carry, this role specializes in ranged physical attacks and typically scales into a late-game damage powerhouse, often positioned in the bottom lane.
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APC – Ability Power Carry: Magic-based damage dealer.
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JG – Jungler: Player who farms the jungle and assists lanes.
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SUP – Support: Aids the ADC and the team with healing, shielding, or utility.
FPS (e.g., CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch)
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IGL – In-Game Leader: Strategist and shot-caller.
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AWPer – Sniper role in games like CS:GO.
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Fragger – High-kill player, aggressive role.
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Lurker – Operates solo to catch opponents off guard.
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Entry – The first player to engage or breach enemy defenses.
Competitive & Ranking Abbreviations
These are vital when evaluating a candidate’s competitive level:
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ELO – Ranking system originally used in chess, now common in competitive gaming.
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MMR – Matchmaking Rating: A hidden numerical value that represents a player’s skill level and determines the quality of opponents in online matches
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KD – Kill/Death Ratio: Key stat to assess player performance in FPS games.
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XP – Experience Points: Used to level up or progress in a game.
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Ranked / Unranked – Competitive mode status.
Communication & Team Strategy Terms
Team coordination depends on shared shorthand. Here are some essential ones:
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TP – Teleport: Ability to move instantly across the map.
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Roam – Leaving your assigned area to help another lane or objective.
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Peel – Protecting a teammate from incoming enemies.
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Push / Split Push – Applying pressure to one or multiple lanes.
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Gank – Ambushing another player, usually in a coordinated effort.
Tips for Recruiters Using Abbreviations
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Include Them in Job Descriptions: Be clear about required roles (e.g., “Looking for a high-ELO ADC with strong peel awareness”).
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Assess Fluency in Chat: Players who use abbreviations naturally often have deeper game knowledge.
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Tailor Your Approach by Genre: FPS, MOBA, MMORPG, and Battle Royale communities use different slang.
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Stay Updated: Abbreviations evolve — follow patch notes, forums, and pro leagues to stay current.
Final Thoughts
Recruiting for a successful gaming team requires more than just finding talented players — it’s about assembling a squad that communicates effectively and understands the game on a strategic level. Mastering these gaming abbreviations will not only make you a more effective recruiter but also earn you credibility in the community.
