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If you’ve ever heard of meta before, it probably means you’ve had a fair amount of interaction with the online video games.
While the term isn’t used solely in competitive multiplayer video games, by sheer number of people playing them, it definitely carries the most weight there. But what does it mean? Well, let's break it down for you!
The most simple and most on point definition would probably be, the most tried and tested way to win a match/game.
To expand on it a little bit more, it’s a sum of all tried and tested strategies and tactics employed by multitudes of people against each other that crystallised into “meta”.
Unsurprisingly when people compete against each other, they try to find the most effective and replicable way of defeating their enemies. For something to become meta, it needs to be the most effective way to succeed in a competitive pvp match.
Now let’s move on to some examples!
There’s a reason why metagame exists of course. People are just naturally predisposed to follow the best possible outcome whenever possible.
The best way of going from point A to point B is always in the straight line. But what if there’s something in the way of that? Find an alternative way or clear the obstruction. And the ones who find that way first, will reap the benefits until everyone else catches up or finds an even better way.
This builds a high level of competitiveness. Which leads us to…
Video game tournaments are unsurprisingly very heavy on metagaming, after all it’s all about finding the most effective way of winning, whether it’s an RTS or MOBA or a fighting game.
You can expect players to employ these to the best of their abilities, potentially bringing new meta to the scene.
The monetary prizes and bragging rights are very enticing to the participants, giving them a solid reason to keep seeking new ways of mastering the game and creating new meta for the players to follow.
If you’ve ever played any fighting games or MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) you’ll recognise this specific topic.
While characters are meant to be overall balanced in team fights, that doesn’t mean they’re all equally as effective vs each other. Some are considered a “counter-pick”.
For example a character that can easily chase down and disable a glass cannon damage dealer type will usually be considered a counter in MOBA.
Similarly characters that are good at zoning (keeping enemies at bay with long range attacks) in fighting games tend to have an advantage against “grappler” type characters since they must risk approaching their opponents and have their health chipped away constantly.
The counterpicks are of course based on constant trial and error of many players to find best ways to deal with each individual character, which then becomes the meta.
There’s rarely a “best” character in these types of game, due to the fact that patches and nerfs are constantly added to keep the balance.
The thing that makes meta basically. Game developers might employ testers and attempt to test things out but there’s no competitive game in existence that didn’t immediately start patching and balancing the game after people started to metagame.
After all, the amount of testing players do by simply enjoying and learning the game, is always going to be the best way to really balance the game.
It’s probably one of the best reasons for why early access games are a great idea.
So long as the community is heard and developers are able to implement the necessary changes and improvements. Which isn’t always the case…
As mentioned before, the competitive games are constantly being changed and modified.
If one character for example becomes too domineering in the current meta, it means that it requires a “nerf”, meaning it’ll become weaker, slower or in some other capacity worse than it was before.
You can probably imagine that the players who enjoy playing this character tend to become… salty about it.
But if these changes wouldn’t be applied, everyone would simply play that one character and what would even be the point of having anything else on the roster in that case?
In short, changes are an important part of every competitive game, just like real life!
Heh, isn’t that profound?
Now, do not misunderstand, you do NOT have to play the meta. You are NOT forced to play meta. You may, however, be ostracised by fellow team members if you play outside of the current meta.
That is unfortunately the reality of team games, if you’re not playing the currently most effective way of playing the game it may reduce the chance of victory for your team. Which again, unfortunately, IS the main objective.
Fun isn’t as important as winning in competitive games. Which can cause some really unpleasant environments for new players.
But if you do wish to engage in meta, it’s best to check out the community forums and videos from the players that explain the most current meta with actual gameplay to show it off.
Well, technically, yes. As long as you keep up with the current meta.
But the question is, do you want to?
Metagaming is mostly focused on simply winning. Everything else is secondary. That means if you want to have an enjoyable time, metagaming might not be for you.
There are plenty of great single player RPGs out there you know…
If you like to win a lot, then yes.
Metagaming at its core is meant to employ the most efficient way to win. It changes constantly, which is why it’s so effective.
If there’s a way to beat the current meta, it BECOMES the new meta.
Most distinct types of metagaming are genre specific.
In TTRPGs, metagaming usually refers to players using out of game knowledge to gain an advantage, for example being able to identify enemies and their strengths/weaknesses and have their character act on this.
And then there’s metagaming in multiplayer competitive games, where people adapt the most effective strategies available for the current version of the game and keep on adapting as it changes.
Video games have certain mechanics that compose its “core”. They’re the main focus and necessary part for the game to function.
For example in Doom, you are able to use weapons, abilities, movement etc. These are the core mechanics.
The meta game would be everything that enhances or affects the core in some way.
For example challenges aren’t necessary for game progression but their completion unlocks new content that enhance existing core gameplay.
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