meta-gaming
Outside-the-rules maneuvering
Meta-gaming is using knowledge or strategies from outside a game's fictional world to gain advantage within it.
In tabletop roleplaying, a player meta-games by having their character act on information the player knows but the character wouldn't: She meta-gamed by avoiding the ambush her character had no way of knowing about.
The term extends to any game where players exploit external knowledge, community strategies, or understanding of game mechanics rather than playing "in character" or discovering things organically.
Conceptual stage boundary
- out-of-characterUnlike one's normal behavior
- quicksaveImmediate game state preservation
- reloadFill with ammunition again
- speedrunningCompleting games fastest possible
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- min-maxingOptimizing character builds strategically
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
- number-crunchingIntensive data analysis
Deceiving about one's position
- table-talkConversation during meals
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- tellsConveys information verbally
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
manipulation · negotiation · alliances · kingmaking · diplomacy · intimidation · betrayal · trust
fourth-wall
Conceptual stage boundary
- out-of-characterUnlike one's normal behavior
- quicksaveImmediate game state preservation
- reloadFill with ammunition again
optimization
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- min-maxingOptimizing character builds strategically
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
number-crunching · cookie-cutter · efficiency · loadout · hitboxes
bluffing
Deceiving about one's position
- table-talkConversation during meals
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- tellsConveys information verbally
deception · manipulation · negotiation · alliances · kingmaking · diplomacy · intimidation · betrayal · trust · signaling
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- rankedAssigned relative position
- ladderPortable climbing frame
- esportsProfessional video game competitions
matchups · draft · counterplay · scouting · preparation · format · ruleset · sideboard · bracket · seeding