The impact of video game terminology on user experience

This study examines how the terminology used in digital games influences player experience and how it can function as a tool for accessibility in digital game design. Game language plays a critical role in players' processes of understanding game mechanics, adapting to the rules, and immersing themselves in the game world. Moreover, it creates a shared semantic framework that fosters a sense of community among players. However, game terminology is not equally accessible to all; for inexperienced players or those from different linguistic/cultural backgrounds, ingame terms can be an obstacle to the engagement. A mixed-method was adopted in the study, where qualitative and quantitative data were combined. Battlefield V and Rainbow Six Siege games were selected as case studies; the terminological structure in these games was analyzed, and the relationship between players and the game language was measured through an online survey. The findings reveal that complex or context-free terms can negatively affect the player experience; however well-designed, contextualized, and culturally compatible terms both enhance the experience through engagement and accessibility. The study shows that terminology in game design is not only a technical element, but also an experiential, cultural, and social component that meaningfully shapes gameplay.