Video Game Acronyms

[Ink Asylum]

As video game forum dwellers, we use a lot of acronyms to avoid typing long game names again and again. Which ones are the most iconic? Ones where you can type them and it's completely clear which game you're talking about, even if other games share that acronym. Some examples:

SMB
KOTOR
TF
WOW
L4D

Alternate Thread Title: 10char-bait

[violent]

GoW
LOTRO
GTA
FF

[Ink Asylum]

GoW

So which series has a greater claim to this acronym? "Gears of War" or "God of War"? I'd say that Gears, despite being a newer series, has earned the acronym based solely on popularity and the devotion of the game's fanbase.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

CoD is another common one. I've seen these around here as well, but not frequently:

HSG
GH
ME
MGS
LBP

just to name a few more

[Ink Asylum]

It defeats the purpose of the thread if you post the full titles of the game. :) If they are truly that iconic they should be able to stand alone. Most of yours would, though I probably would've had to think about HSG. ME's iconic nature will probably grow with each sequel, though right now most people would have to think about it, I would guess.

[Gorvi]

GoW will always be God of War to me, not only because I prefer it, but there have been 3 games in the series already, with a 4th on the way next year. That, and it was GoW first. :p

I use FFXI quite often, I'm sure most know what that is.

[Telefrog]

GoW


Gears of War? God of War? ;)

[Ink Asylum]

FF followed by any number, either regular or roman, is pretty standard gaming lexicon, though once they hit 10 you see roman numerals a lot more than regular numbers.

[Codicier]

So which series has a greater claim to this acronym? "Gears of War" or "God of War"? I'd say that Gears, despite being a newer series, has earned the acronym based solely on popularity and the devotion of the game's fanbase.

Eh. I'd prefer if we adopted the convention of just typing Gears for Gears of War and reserve GoW for God of War.

Of course, my preferences don't really mean anything to the Internet at large. Still, that's how I manage those two.

HL2 is my contribution to the unique acronym list.

[Hawkzombie]

I see GoW for God of War a lot and for Gears, simple Gears. It's been a rare occurance hen I've seen GoW used for Gears of War instead of just Gears.

[violent]

Gears of War? God of War? ;)

Why not both? I want to say there is another pair of games that share the same acronym but it escapes me at the moment.

[civil]

BHA: WHR . (http://ps2.ign.com/objects/545/545789.html)

[Generation ABXY]

LoZ or, hell, even OoT all on its own.

[SpacemanSpiff757]

It defeats the purpose of the thread if you post the full titles of the game. :) If they are truly that iconic they should be able to stand alone. Most of yours would, though I probably would've had to think about HSG. ME's iconic nature will probably grow with each sequel, though right now most people would have to think about it, I would guess.

makes sense. removed titles for your "added effect". I'm sure there are plenty of others out there, but that's all I could come up with when I looked at what games I have in my bookshelf

But to add a few more:

HL
RE
CS/CS:S

[Hawkzombie]

HSG escapes me, honestly. I had to look it up, and then realized I had no clue what it was because I'd never played it. Still no clue what GH is.

Oh, nevermind about GH as well :p It was foreign to me because there was no 3 after it.

[National Kato]

S.T.A.L.A.K.E.R.

A game made for this thread.

[Hawkzombie]

S.t.a.l.a.k.e.r.

Quoted before you change the hilarious typo. :D

EDIT: Here's one everyone should get right off the bat: SC. There are a few games with those initials, but only one series writes your path on the stage of history. :p

[National Kato]

Quoted before you change the hilarious typo. :D

It's not a typo. :D

[Codicier]

Quoted before you change the hilarious typo. :D

EDIT: Here's one everyone should get right off the bat: SC. There are a few games with those initials, but only one series writes your path on the stage of history. :p

Starcraft? ;)

LoZ or, hell, even OoT all on its own.

LttP is also probably one for a lot of people. (OoT is the one I know best though.)

[Generation ABXY]

Oh, and GT, not sure how I forgot that.

EDIT: And though it's not a series name, SotN is pretty recognizable, too.

[Hawkzombie]

It's not a typo. :D

Oh God, doing a google search is even funnier because of the story behind it.

[Hawkzombie]

Starcraft? ;)

...No cookie for you.

But apparently I'm the only person who played the shit out of it on Dreamcast it seems.

[boratika]

I think the most unmistakable of all is:

TWEWY

[Ink Asylum]

DDR
SF
MK
MoO
KQ

Also, there's always system names, too:
NES
SNES
GC
GB

[Wally]

I would say MW, but that darn Modern Warfare has been trying to take over that acronym :mad:

[roboninja]

I would say the most iconic are FF and WoW. Maybe add MGS in there.


EDIT: Hawkzombie's S.T.A.L.A.K.E.R. gaff? Hilarious. :p

[Suave Peanut]

Oh, nevermind about GH as well :p It was foreign to me because there was no 3 after it.
There's a third one? Huh. I thought there was only 1 and 2... ;)

[Gorvi]

Why not both? I want to say there is another pair of games that share the same acronym but it escapes me at the moment.
Metal Gear Solid and Microsoft Games Studios, I always thing Metal Gear whenever someone means Microsoft.

[Wraith]

Common (and not-so-common) acronym overlaps:

SC: SimCity, Soul Calibur (see also SC4), Starcraft, Splinter Cell, Supreme Commander
SMB: Super Mario Bros., Super Monkey Ball
AC: Assassin's Creed, Animal Crossing, Asheron's Call
ME: Mass Effect, Mirror's Edge
VP: Valkyrie Profile, Viva Pinata
SoA: Skies of Arcadia, Sega of America
GW: Guild Wars, Geometry Wars
CT: Chrono Trigger, Crazy Taxi

And of course GoW/GoW which was already mentioned. As was MW: Mech Warrior, Modern Warfare, though sometimes I think Morrowind.

As for non-overlapping ones, GRAW, PSO, THPS (though not in use for more recent titles), SotC, NOLF...

[TheKeck]

As a video game forum dwellers, we use a lot of acronyms to avoid typing long game names again and again. Which ones are the most iconic? Ones where you can type them and it's completely clear which game you're talking about, even if other games share that acronym. Some examples:

SMB
KOTOR
TF
WOW
L4D

Alternate Thread Title: 10char-bait
TF is team fortress, right? I had to think about it without the TF2, which is instantly recognizable.
CoD is another common one. I've seen these around here as well, but not frequently:

HSG
GH
ME
MGS
LBP

just to name a few more
HSG?????
Gears of War? God of War? ;)
This one should just be banned. They're both too prominent.
Quoted before you change the hilarious typo. :D

EDIT: Here's one everyone should get right off the bat: SC. There are a few games with those initials, but only one series writes your path on the stage of history. :p
SC is Star Craft, if anything.
DDR
SF
MK
MoO
KQ

MoO?????
SC: SimCity, Soul Calibur (see also SC4), Starcraft, Splinter Cell
SMB: Super Mario Bros., Super Monkey Ball
AC: Assassin's Creed, Animal Crossing
ME: Mass Effect, Mirror's Edge
VP: Valkyrie Profile, Viva Pinata
SoA: Skies of Arcadia, Sega of America
GW: Guild Wars, Geometry Wars
CT: Chrono Trigger, Crazy Taxi

And of course GoW/GoW which was already mentioned.

As for non-overlapping ones, GRAW, PSO, THPS (though not in use for more recent titles), SotC...
THPS???

And some of these bring up a point I'd like to make. Sometimes there is overlap, but there is once clear winner, (unlike GoW). I want to slap someone upside the head when they use the acronym for a lesser known game. (For example, using SMB to refer to Super Monkey Ball. SMB IS super mario bros. It just is.)

BF2, BF:BC, etc.

[violent]

Metal Gear Solid and Microsoft Games Studios, I always thing Metal Gear whenever someone means Microsoft.

Very, very true.

[Wraith]

THPS???Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Later titles dropped the 'Pro Skater' part for different naming conventions.

[Ink Asylum]

TF is team fortress, right? I had to think about it without the TF2, which is instantly recognizable.

Correct. Seen much more these days with a 2, but still recognizable amongst PC gamers without it.

MoO

Another old PC one. Masters of Orion.

[Wraith]

Another old PC one. Masters of Orion....Why did I think Medal of Honor... :o

[TheKeck]

SC: SimCity, Soul Calibur (see also SC4), Starcraft, Splinter Cell
Supreme Commander. (Inspired by the front page. ;) )

It's official, if you use SC as a video game acronym, you are a douche bag. :p

Might as well add MoH to the list. :)

[Goronmon]

Quoted before you change the hilarious typo. :DThat's no typo, that's how you spell it!

[TheKeck]

Correct. Seen much more these days with a 2, but still recognizable amongst PC gamers without it.
I'll give you TFC. :p

[Wraith]

Supreme Commander. (Inspired by the front page. ;) )

It's official, if you use SC as a video game acronym, you are a douche bag. :pAdded to the list.Might as well add MoH to the list. :)That's Medal of Honor and ?

[Adam Blue]

Like mentioned, I'm pretty sure GoW is God of War and Gears of War is Gears.

My fave? SWDFIIIJKIIJO, or, and I think this is wrong though, SWDFIVJKIIIJOIIJA.

Hint: I'm making it more complicated than it is.

[Telefrog]

SWotL
DN3D
LOOM
DotT
UT

[TheKeck]

Added to the list.That's Medal of Honor and ?
Sorry, I just meant the list of identifiable acronyms, not an ambiguous one.
SWotL
DN3D
LOOM
DotT
UT
SWOTL! YES! :)

What does LOOM stand for? I thought there was just a game called Loom.

Oh, and what's DotT? I thought I knew, but realized I was confusing it with RotT.

[Ink Asylum]

MvC
SSB
EQ
EWJ

[Ink Asylum]

Oh, and what's DotT? I thought I knew, but realized I was confusing it with RotT.

Day of the Tentacle

[Xydarc]

So which series has a greater claim to this acronym? "Gears of War" or "God of War"? I'd say that God, despite being an older series, has earned the acronym based solely on popularity and the devotion of the game's fanbase.
Fixed that for you.;)

BHA: WHR . (http://ps2.ign.com/objects/545/545789.html)
:eek:

I'll add:
LBP
PSO

[Primus]

Oldie but goodie: SoM

And GoW is for Gears (yeah, it gets TWO), 'cause fuck God of War.

[violent]

GoW is for God of War 'cause fuck Gears of War.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Not a game name, but I have a hard time telling people who AREN'T gamers that I work for an MMO company.

The words come out of my mouth, and I realize "It's a big online game that everyone plays at the same time. Like WoW....I mean World of Warcraft".

Every single zelda game is referred to by an acronym of it's extended title:

TLoZ
TaoL
LA
LttP
OoT
MM
WW
OoA
OaS
MC
PH
TP

Any discussion of Zelda in general will end with the acronyms being thrown around like crazy.

edit: And don't get me started on MMO lingo. "WE NEED MORE DOTS! 50 DKP MINUS!"

To normal people, these are crazy people words.

[Lint of Death]

dota dota dota dota guyz gogogogogo lol

[TheFlyingOrc]

GoW is for God of War 'cause fuck Gears of War.

Yes, it's hyper violence and overly compensating masculine characters pale in comparison...to.....

[Wraith]

Someone Nintendo really needs to develop a blockbuster IP with the initials "GoW" for the Wii. Then the circle would be complete.

[Lint of Death]

Someone Nintendo really needs to develop a blockbuster IP with the initials "GoW" for the Wii. Then the circle would be complete.

Gears of Wario :D

[violent]

Yes, it's hyper violence and overly compensating masculine characters pale in comparison...to.....

Masculinity? Kratos wears a skirt and Marcus and Dom have a child together.

[Hawkzombie]

Masculinity? Kratos wears a skirt and Marcus and Dom have a child together.

That made me snort I'm laughing so hard.

And I'm surprised no one has dropped this gem: SotN

[Ink Asylum]

Someone did.

[Narradisall]

Someone beat me to DoTA, but I don't think I saw AvP.

Some of the above ones I honestly don't recognise. Maybe its just me but if I don't know what it means right off the bat I wouldn't think it was that iconic. Surely iconic means its easily recognised and associated with that.

Oh and GoW means Gears to me, but I use Gears whenever God of War is being batted about.

[Zero]

In addition to THPS, there is THUG and THAW.

DoS
AoS
SMW
RB
GH

[SpacemanSpiff757]

someone mentioned MMOs and I forgot about DAoC, DnD, L2 (not very common)

[Ink Asylum]

DoS
AoS

Gotta say these two don't really make me think of any particular games.

[Chris_D]

First, GoW was the iconic Warcraft 2 map, Garden of War.

[JRR006]

someone mentioned MMOs and I forgot about DAoC, DnD, L2 (not very common)

I was going to add DAoC. Curses! I guess there's TES. I've seen people use TESIII and TESIV mostly.

Think how bulky our catalog could be if we included acronyms from within games as well. AoE, BaF, MP, HP, DoT...

[Chris_D]

Who'd forget the most awesome MMO of all, SWG. Also, I used to play a ton of GW.

[mightbe]

I've recently been enjoying non-acronym abbreviations. Mostly just to annoy ghostbear but some of them are quite handy as the differentiate what game you're talking about and are fun to say!

blands (buhlandz)
tlight (tee-lite)
dage (dee-ay-juh)

Favorite acronyms:

PJMD (reminds me of PTSD)
PAA:OTRSPOD (OTTERSPAWD!)

[TheKeck]

Here's one that never took off: BS

;)

[GigaFuzz]

DoW (and now DoW2)
BiA
WiC

[Xerxes]

Does shortening the title on all of these make us a bunch of lazy bums who can't be typing the full game's name out? O_o

[boratika]

Another for the ridiculously long collection: PJKKTOGOTM

And a couple that take me back:

SD3
ToP

[oneshot]

I remember last year there was one I kept seeing and had no idea what it was for a while, DMMM (Dark Messiah: Might and Magic). Don't remember if anyone remembers it, I only do because I had to look it up on ign or one of those sites.

[JRR006]

Does shortening the title on all of these make us a bunch of lazy bums who can't be typing the full game's name out? O_o

I think it means we're a legitimate subculture! (As though we didn't know that already.)

[Shadowstorm]

HW, SoaSE, HL, STA, AoC, C&C:TS.