Gaming glossary – broadband terms explained

Confused by online gaming? Don’t let the technical broadband terms put you off.

Getting your head round all the gaming lingo might seem like battle in itself, but we’re here to help you defeat the broadband jargon once and for all.

So, whether you’re a PC gamer, Xbox, or PlayStation player, take the challenge of getting clued up on your gaming slang with us.

Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy your video games without a glitch, in our complete gaming glossary.

Glossary

Bandwidth

Bandwidth describes the amount of data that can be transferred at the same time. Also see “Mbps” below.

Co-operative gameplay

Often referred to as “co-op”, co-operative gameplay are games that allow multiple players to work together as teammates.

Data limits

Many broadband providers impose a limit on the amount of data a user can transfer during a month. Airband do not put a cap on the data their customers can use, which means online gamers can play without restriction. Also see “traffic management” below.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Refers to tools that protect copyrighted digital works, such as games and software.

Downloadable Content (DLC)

Any extra elements to an already released game that can be downloaded, including new levels, characters and skins. These sometimes come at an additional cost.

In-game purchases

Refers to purchases that are made within a game or virtual world. The purchased good are digital and are generally created by the game’s creators. “In-game purchases” can also be referred to as “microtransactions”.

Jitter

This describes the rate at which the ping rate (see “ping” below) varies over a period of time, from ‘ping spikes’ to ‘stuttering’.

Lag

When playing online games, “lag” describes the delay between an instruction (or action), and that being carried out in the game you are playing. Also see “ping”.

Latency

This describes the delay before a transfer of data begins from when an instruction is made. This is measured in milliseconds (ms).

Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG)

An online game that can be played by a very large number of people simultaneously.

Megabits per second (Mbps)

Megabits per second (Mbps) is used to measure how much data can be transferred at the same time. For a smooth online gaming and streaming experience, it is recommended that you have an internet connection with 100Mbps or more.

Online gaming

Any video game that offers online interactions with other players. Online gaming provides the opportunity to play and communicate with people from all over the world.

Packet loss

Refers to the chunks of data used to transfer information from one place to another. The lower the packet loss the smoother the online gaming experience.

Ping

A measure the number of milliseconds (ms) of how long it takes for information to travel to the game’s server and back. A ping rate of 50ms is very good. The Airband fibre networks usually have a ping of 20ms or less, which is considered exceptional.

Streaming games

Describes the act of broadcasting a video game being played to a live audience. Platforms such as Twitch, YouTube and Facebook are platforms that broadcast live video games.

Traffic management

Refers to broadband providers (ISPs) prioritising certain kinds of online activity at peak times of the day. Airband do not do this, so you won’t experience any slow-down of speeds, no matter what time of day you play.

Now you’re clued up on your online gaming terms, you’ll be racing to switch that console on!

Headset at the ready? It’s time to enjoy gaming without a glitch. (And that’s even better when you’ve got the broadband speeds you need to live a fast-paced life online!)

Visit our coverage checker to get uninterrupted gameplay at the click of a button with our fibre broadband, or learn more about our gaming broadband packages.

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Alternatively, you might also like:

• Broadband for Gaming UK
• What’s the difference between superfast and ultrafast broadband?