gameplays

Interactive entertainment experiences

Gameplays is the plural of gameplay, referring to the specific ways a video game is played or experienced.

The term typically describes the interactive elements—mechanics, controls, challenges—that distinguish playing from merely watching: The two sequels offered very different gameplays despite sharing the same story.

Often used when comparing distinct gaming experiences or styles.

mechanics

walkthrough

Sequential instructional guide

speedrun · playthrough · controls · level · checkpoint · power-up · respawn · loadout · skill tree · cooldown

recording

stream

Steady continuous flow

upload · Twitch · YouTube · clip · commentary · reaction · capture · recording · VOD · broadcast

analysis

meta

Self-aware or transcendent

  • tier listCategorical quality ranking
  • balanceSteadiness or amount owed
  • nerfReduce in-game effectiveness

buff · exploit · glitch · frame rate · optimization · build · loadout · ranking · leaderboard · statistics

session

match

Game between opponents

  • roundCurved like circle
  • sessionScheduled time for activity
  • runMove swiftly on foot

attempt · playthrough · campaign · mission · raid · dungeon · arena · tournament · queue · lobby

Opposites
interactivity

gameplayscutscenes

Non-playable game footage

cinematics · loading screens · watching · spectating · menu navigation

activity type

gameplaysidle time

inactivity · reading · non-participation · observation · tutorials

game component type

gameplaysstorylines

Sequences of fictional events

narratives · graphics · soundtracks · voice acting · lore

Phrases
Family

gameplay

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G