If this happens, nobody will have a problem with you asking what these terms mean.
However, we understand that it can be very nerve-wracking to ask in forums or comment sections things that you feel everyone else already knows.
This is where we come in! We are here to help you understand all the gaming terms (see also ‘What Does FF Mean in Gaming?‘) you could possibly need to know, so you are always prepared when you begin a game to understand the slang other games use.
In this article, we will discuss what exactly the term “OP” means in gaming, situations you would use it, and more!
What Does The Term OP Mean In Gaming?
The term OP in general can mean two different things, and it all depends on the context in which it is used. Let’s check out the main example!
OP Meaning In Gaming
The first meaning of OP is “overpowered”. This is used in games to refer to a player character who has too much power for their current level.
They easily beat all of the other characters in the game, and they usually do not even have to work hard at all.
A player character may also be considered OP if they have access to special weapons or special moves that are clearly much stronger than every other player character in the game.
Specific weapons, moves, bosses, etc, in games, can also be considered OP. If there is a character or element to a game that is obviously OP, it can ruin the enjoyment of the game for many people, and usually calls for the need to balance the game more fairly.
Examples Of OP Elements In Games
To further explain what we mean, here are some examples of OP characters and other elements in games.
The Master Sword from The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Why Is OP Bad In Gaming?
OP is bad in gaming for many reasons. Here are just a few of them.
OP Ruins Fun
When a character is OP, it ruins fun for others. It makes the game unfair, and it creates an atmosphere of frustration among players.
Many gamers enjoy playing video games because they want to play against each other, but when one person is OP, it becomes impossible to compete.
OP Causes Conflict Between Players
When a character is overpowered, it can make players resent each other. People get upset about how easy someone else is beating them, and they start arguing with each other over who is better.
This causes conflict between players, and it can cause problems within a group of friends.
OP Makes The Game Less Interesting
When a character is overpowered in a game, it takes away from the experience. Instead of having to think about strategy, tactics, and skill.
Players only have to worry about whether they are going to win or lose. It removes the challenge of the game, and it makes the gameplay boring.
What Is Nerfing?
Nerfing is a term that means making something weaker, less powerful, or less effective. It is often done by removing features or abilities from a character, weapon, or move.
When nerfing happens, it is always done to make the game fairer. It does this by giving everyone equal chances of winning. Nerfing is also good in games because it allows everyone to have fun.
There are different ways to nerf things in games. Some examples include:
In the context of social media, or any kind of forum where people can chat, like a Twitter thread or a Reddit post, then OP means “original poster” or “original post” The OP in this context is the person who has started the conversation.
Everyone else commenting and getting involved will usually refer to that person as OP, so everyone else knows who they’re talking about with ease, and there is little room for confusion.
Final Thoughts
The term OP is used mainly in two different contexts. On social media posts, it is commonly used to mean original post or the original poster. This applies to conversations in threads or forums.
However, in the online gaming community, OP is used to mean “overpowered” and it refers to any element of the game – be it a character, weapon, etc, – that has too much power for where they appear in the game.
OP in gaming can be fun, for a while, but ultimately it ruins the gaming experience for a lot of players.
OP makes games too easy or too difficult, and it takes the enjoyment out of games for those who are not playing like the player character who is OP.
Luckily, OP aspects of games can be subject to nerfing, which balances the game and makes it more fun for everyone involved.
We hope this article helped you to understand what OP means in gaming.
My name is Ashley Newby and I want to put integrity back into esports and get the hype surrounding them paramount once more. During my teenage years, I happened to stumble across a Street Fighter tournament online and I was hooked.
From that day, I have kept up with and watched many tournaments including Valorant, Super Smash Bros, and League of Legends. I even got to compete in my first one earlier this year!
