Multiplayer

How it is used

The opposite is single-player. People talk about online multiplayer, local multiplayer on one screen or console, and co-op, where players work together. Multiplayer adds a lot of networking work, so teams decide early whether a game needs it.

Example sentences

1. Adding multiplayer late in development almost always causes problems.

2. The game has a 20-hour campaign and a four-player online multiplayer mode.

Common collocations

• online multiplayer
• local multiplayer
• multiplayer mode
• co-op multiplayer
• multiplayer server

Related terms

• netcodeThe networking code of an online game that sends game data between players and servers and keeps everyone's view of the match in sync despite delays.
• matchmakingThe system that puts online players into matches with or against each other, based on things like skill level, region and connection quality.
• dedicated serverA computer, usually in a data center, that runs only the game server and the shared game world, while players connect to it instead of one player hosting the match.
• latencyThe time it takes for data to travel between a player's device and the server or another player, usually measured in milliseconds. High latency makes online games feel slow.
• lobbyA virtual waiting area where players gather before an online match starts, to form teams, choose characters or settings, and wait for others to join.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• multiplayer · Software Engineering

More terms: Multiplayer & Networking

• lag
• tick rate
• client-side prediction
• authoritative server