this post was submitted on 01 Dec 2025
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Not only have I been gaming for 40+ years, I’ve written a bunch of games. I’ve never heard this term.
But I’ll take your word for it ;)
Been hearing this term for a long while. It's specially prevalent in games where there's a strong competitive scene or in games where you can practice min-maxxing. You won't use the term (normally) in a game like The Sims or any other game where there is no "goal" to achieve; but if there is a goal (even just a boss fight) and there are multiple alternatives to tackle it, you will hear the term eventually.
Maybe that’s why I haven’t heard it… I do my best to avoid multiplayer games. Is it something one would only see/hear in multiplayer games? My interest is in the origin of the term.
In relation to gaming it gained popularity in 1995 (Magic the Gathering).
That explains a lot. Thank you.
I remember it from early StarCraft, where balance patches would often "shift the meta" making some build and strategies so good (or bad) that you basically had to use them (or couldn't use them) if you wanted to be competitive.
So, it was actually in the game? The term “Meta” in this context?
I’m curious about the origin of the term, so if it came from star craft, that would be the answer I’m looking for.
It's more like knowing that "people online will do that, so I have to do this". The mind game between the players. But I think you already got some better answers.
I don't think it originated from StarCraft, that's just where I recall first hearing it.