Mechanics

A seasonal progression system where players pay (or earn) access to a tiered reward track. Completing in-game challenges earns experience that unlocks cosmetic rewards (skins, emotes, sprays) as the player progresses through tiers. Introduced by Dota 2 in 2013 and popularized by Fortnite in 2018, battle passes are now standard in live-service games. They offer more predictable monetization than loot boxes while giving players clear progression goals.

Cooperative gameplay where multiple players work together toward shared objectives rather than competing against each other. Co-op modes range from split-screen couch co-op (It Takes Two, Overcooked) to online co-op campaigns (Deep Rock Galactic, Halo) to raid groups in MMORPGs. The genre has seen a resurgence with games like Deep Rock Galactic, Valheim, and Phasmophobia proving the appeal of shared cooperative experiences.

A monetization mechanic where players spend currency (real or in-game) for randomized character or item draws, similar to capsule toy machines (gashapon) in Japan. Gacha mechanics are central to mobile games like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Fire Emblem Heroes. The mechanic has been criticized for encouraging compulsive spending to collect rare characters. Many regions now require disclosure of drop rates; some have implemented spending limits.

A game model designed for ongoing engagement, regularly updated with new content such as seasons, battle passes, events, and patches rather than delivered as a complete, finished product. Live-service games include Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and League of Legends. The model typically uses a free-to-play entry point with revenue from cosmetic microtransactions or battle passes. Success requires a dedicated development team maintaining the game indefinitely.

Persistent upgrades or unlocks that carry over between runs in a roguelite, improving the player's capabilities in subsequent attempts. Meta-progression softens permadeath by ensuring every run contributes something permanent toward making the player stronger or unlocking new options. Examples include unlocking new starting weapons in Dead Cells, upgrading the hub in Hades, or expanding the build pool in Slay the Spire.

A game mechanic where the death of the player's character is permanent — there is no respawn or save reload. When you die, the run ends and you start over, usually from the beginning. Permadeath is central to roguelikes and roguelites. Some games offer permadeath as an optional hardcore mode (Diablo IV Hardcore, Minecraft Hardcore). The mechanic raises the stakes of every decision and makes each run feel meaningful.

A technique where game content (levels, maps, items, quests) is created algorithmically rather than hand-crafted by designers. Procedural generation enables near-infinite variety and replayability. It powers the dungeon layouts in roguelikes, the worlds in Minecraft and No Man's Sky, and the loot systems in Diablo and Path of Exile. The trade-off is that algorithmically generated content can sometimes lack the intentional design of hand-crafted levels.

Player vs Player — any game mode where players compete directly against other human players rather than AI-controlled enemies. PvP spans ranked ladders in fighting games and MOBAs, battle royale matches, deathmatch modes in FPS games, and world PvP in MMORPGs. Competitive PvP is the foundation of esports. Balanced PvP requires constant design attention to prevent dominant strategies (the 'meta') from making the game stale.

Skill-Based Matchmaking — a system that matches players against opponents of similar skill level based on performance metrics such as win rate, kill-death ratio, or ELO rating. SBMM is designed to create balanced matches and prevent new players from facing highly skilled opponents. However, it is highly controversial in games like Call of Duty: Warzone because it results in consistently challenging lobbies with little relief, making casual play feel like a ranked match. Critics argue SBMM removes the natural skill variation that made older multiplayer games more fun. Supporters say it makes games fairer for casual players.

A playthrough of a game completed as quickly as possible, often using exploits, glitches, and optimised strategies that differ significantly from normal play. Speedrunning has a large community on platforms like Speedrun.com and Twitch. Common categories include Any% (finish the game by any means, using any glitch), 100% (complete all objectives), and Glitchless (no game-breaking exploits). Games with large speedrunning communities include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Dark Souls, and Super Mario 64.