MMO Boot Camp: Redux

In the summer of 2009, I compiled a list of basic MMO social terms and abbreviations after being unable to find such a thing on the Internet.  The original list was posted over a 4 day period, which served to divide the list in retrospect. In an effort to streamline things, I present to you what I call the MMO Boot Camp, now in one continuous form. Study this list. Familiarize yourself with it. Your virtual life could depend on it. DISMISSED!

Basics:

• AFK – “away from keyboard” – your friend has left you and may not be coming back due to circumstances beyond his or her control.
• ATM – “at the moment” – this has nothing to do with money.
• BBL – “be back later” – lies.
• BRB – “be right back” – a quest in real life has been triggered (usually by a parent or spouse) and must be completed.
• “BIO” – bathroom break.
• DING – “level up” – used by those desperately seeking attention and a pat on the back.
• “GANK” – higher level player(s) killing a lower level player.
• “GRIEFING” or “GRIEFER” – those that intentionally seek to harass or cause grief to fellow gamers in game.
• MMORPG – “massively multiplayer online role playing game” – Warning, may contain addictive elements.
• NPC – “non-player character” – computer controlled character.
• OMW – “on my way”
• PVE – “player versus environment” – killing is consensual and the environment deadly.
• PVP – “Player versus player” – open season has arrived!
• RL – “real life” – once upon a time you knew what this meant.
• “Solo” or “Soloing” – paying $15 a month to play alone.
• “SPAWN” – enemies reappear after being killed.
• XP – “experience points” – time and lives are lost in the pursuit of these elusive points.

Group:

• Group/Party/Fellowship – players banded together for a common goal.
• Guild – a large group of players who enjoy being used as pawns. Guilds, and their benefits, vary from game to game.
• Kinship – an over glorified name for a guild.
• LFF – “looking for fellowship” – sometimes two are better than one.
• LFG – “looking for group” – see above.
• LFM – “looking for more” – we are weak, help us!
• LOOT – items that are coveted and fought over in game.
• “TANK” – serves as the lead protector/ defender of a group.

Additional Terms/ Abbreviations:

• “Add” – an enemy joins the fight unexpectedly. Kind of like your kid brother wanting to hang out with you and your friends.
• AGGRO – “aggression” – sometimes you’ve just got to let it out.
• “BUFF” – any ability or skill that increases the stats/attributes of the player or group.
• DOT – “damage over time” – one day researchers will be able to measure the dot videogames cause.
• DPS – “damage per second” – math geeks…
• HOT – “heal over time” – the amount of time it takes to heal.
• “KITE” – a diversion to attract enemies away from your party.
• “MOB” – an in game monster(s).
• “NUKE” – inflicting maximum damage per second.
• PAT – “patrol” – roaming squads of death.
• RES or REZ – “resurrect” – death is overrated.

Did I miss something? Feel free to add to the list in the comments below.

*Terms and abbreviations may very from game to game.

**This is by no means a definitive list of MMO terms and abbreviations.