Industry

Triple-A (AAA) refers to high-budget games produced and marketed by major publishers (Activision Blizzard, EA, Ubisoft, Sony, Microsoft). AAA games typically have large development teams, marketing budgets comparable to Hollywood films, and production values targeting mainstream audiences. Examples include Call of Duty, FIFA, Assassin's Creed, and God of War. The AAA model has been criticized for risk-averse design, high cost, and reliance on sequels and franchises.

A period of intense, often mandatory overtime worked by game developers — typically in the months before a game's release date. Crunch culture has been widely reported at studios including Rockstar Games (Red Dead Redemption 2), CD Projekt Red (Cyberpunk 2077), and Naughty Dog (The Last of Us). Workers often report 80-100 hour weeks with unpaid overtime, leading to burnout and health issues. The games industry has faced increasing scrutiny and union organising efforts in response to crunch culture.

A software update released simultaneously with a game's launch — or very shortly after — that fixes bugs, adds performance improvements, or restores content cut from the disc version. Day-one patches have become common as games can be updated digitally post-manufacture. They are sometimes controversial when very large (implying the game was not fully finished at disc press) or when they restore features that should have been in the base game.

Downloadable Content — additional content sold separately from the base game, typically including new story campaigns, maps, characters, weapons, or cosmetics. DLC ranges from large paid expansions (Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine) to small cosmetic packs. Season passes bundle multiple DLC releases at a discounted price. DLC has been criticized when it appears to be content cut from the base game or locks important gameplay features behind a paywall.

A game release model where players can buy and play an incomplete game while the developer continues adding content and fixing issues. Steam popularized Early Access as a formal label. Some games use the time in Early Access to build a community and use player feedback to shape development (Hades, Deep Rock Galactic). Others remain in Early Access indefinitely without meaningful updates. Buyers should research developer track records before purchasing Early Access titles.

A game distribution model where the base game is available at no cost, with revenue generated through optional purchases of cosmetics, battle passes, or in some cases gameplay-affecting items (pay-to-win). Free-to-play has dominated mobile gaming and expanded to PC and console with titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warzone, and Path of Exile. The model maximizes player count and reduces the barrier to entry, creating large audiences for competitive and live-service games.

Video games developed by independent studios without major publisher funding or corporate backing. Indie games are typically smaller in scope and budget than AAA titles but often more innovative in design. The indie scene has produced genre-defining games including Minecraft, Undertale, Celeste, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, and Hades. Steam, itch.io, and digital console storefronts have lowered distribution barriers, enabling small teams to reach global audiences.

A monetization mechanic where players purchase a virtual container that reveals randomized rewards — cosmetics, characters, or gameplay items — often using premium currency. Loot boxes have been compared to gambling due to their random reward structure and have been regulated or banned in several countries including Belgium and the Netherlands. Games like Overwatch and FIFA's Ultimate Team popularized the mechanic. Following regulatory and public pressure, many publishers have moved away from loot boxes toward direct purchase cosmetics or battle passes.

Small in-game purchases made with real money, typically for cosmetic items, currency, or progression boosts. Microtransactions are the primary revenue model for free-to-play games and are also common in full-priced titles. When microtransactions affect gameplay (pay-to-win), they are controversial. Cosmetic-only microtransactions are more widely accepted, as seen in games like League of Legends and Fortnite. The term 'microtransaction' is somewhat ironic as individual purchases can cost $10–$20 or more.

Official documentation released by game developers listing all changes made in a game update — including bug fixes, balance adjustments, new content additions, and removed features. Patch notes are essential reading for competitive players tracking meta changes. Games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Path of Exile have patch notes that are widely discussed and analysed by communities. Balance changes in patch notes can dramatically shift which characters, weapons, or strategies are considered optimal.

A game monetization model where paying real money provides tangible competitive advantages over non-paying players — such as stronger weapons, better stats, or exclusive abilities. Abbreviated as P2W. Pay-to-win is widely criticised as undermining fair competition in multiplayer games and is distinct from cosmetic-only monetization where purchases affect appearance but not gameplay. Mobile games frequently use P2W mechanics. Games like Diablo Immortal faced backlash for P2W elements despite being published by Blizzard.

A bundle that grants access to all DLC released for a game during a defined period, typically at a discount versus purchasing each piece individually. Season passes are bought upfront before DLC is released, requiring trust in the developer's future content plans. They are distinct from battle passes, which are tied to a single season's content. Major games like The Witcher 3 and Borderlands 3 offered season passes that included large story expansions. Season passes have fallen out of favour as battle passes and live-service models have become dominant.

A system that rewards viewers watching specific streams on Twitch with in-game rewards such as cosmetics, loot boxes, beta access, or currency. Game publishers use Twitch Drops to incentivise viewership during game launches or esports events, driving both stream viewership numbers and player engagement. Viewers must link their game account to Twitch and watch a certain number of hours to claim rewards. Twitch Drops campaigns are common in games like Valorant, Path of Exile, and Diablo IV.