A Parent’s Guide to Decoding Popular Gaming Language
Have you ever listened to your kids playing video games with their friends and wondered if they were speaking a different language? It’s difficult enough to keep up with the latest video game trends, let alone the vocabulary that comes along with them!
This is especially true for games like Roblox and Minecraft, which are incredibly popular with today’s young kids as well as teenagers. We’ve created a helpful guide that can translate some of the most common terms you may hear your gamers using.
Roblox
Roblox is a game creation platform that allows users to design their games and play games created by other users. Here are some common terms used by Roblox players:
Robux: This is the in-game currency used in Roblox to buy accessories, clothing, and other items for your avatar.
Avatar: An avatar is a player's virtual representation in the game.
Obby: This is short for "obstacle course." Obbies are games that involve navigating through a series of obstacles.
Bloxburg: This is a popular Roblox game that allows players to build and customize their homes.
Adopt Me!: This is a popular Roblox game that lets players adopt and take care of virtual pets.
Scamming: This refers to a player tricking or deceiving another player into giving away their Robux or other valuable items.
Pwned: A misspelling of ‘owned’. If you’ve been ‘pwned’ it means you’ve been beaten in a game. This term is universally used in any and all gaming.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds. Here are some common terms used by Minecraft players:
Minecraft Skin: A skin is a player's virtual appearance in the game.
Block: The basic unit of Minecraft's world. Everything in Minecraft is made up of blocks.
Crafting: This refers to the process of creating new items in Minecraft by combining different resources.
Mods: Short for "modifications." Mods are user-created modifications to the game that can alter its appearance or add new features.
Redstone: This is a Minecraft resource that can be used to create complex machines and circuits in the game.
Creeper: This is a hostile character in Minecraft that can explode and damage the player.
There are many, many more, and new terms are invented every day. But by understanding these popular terms, you can better engage with your child while they are enjoying a favorite pastime. We bet they’ll be surprised to hear you casually using this language with them!
While video games can be a fun way for kids to de-stress, get creative, and socialize with their friends, it's important to set boundaries around screen time and ensure that they are balancing tech with other healthy activities as well. Our Guide to Raising Future-Ready Kids covers all 4 types of screen time as well as recommended amounts of screen time by age. This guide can help you know what to watch out for when it comes to your kids engaging with technology and offers valuable tips for making screen time more productive and manageable for your family.
If your child loves to play video or computer games, coding may be their next logical step! Find the best date and time for them to try a FREE coding class at the link below.