ESPORTS: Esports is an encompassing term that describes competitive video gaming but also now the industry that surrounds it and the skill-building path avid gamers follow as they aspire to become professional gamers. (Courtesy: Esports.net)

GAME MECHANICS: Game mechanics are the aspects of the game design, or rules, in which the player follows within the game world. These dictate how the player acts within the game. For example, a game mechanic of having missions and objectives for that mission forces the player to adhere to those game mechanics. (Courtesy: GameDesigning.org)

CHEATING: Any use of 3rd-party tools, hacks, or BOTS, that provide a player with an unfair advantage. In Esports, these elements are handled by validating that a human is playing using the GAME MECHANICS provided by default, or within the competitive ruleset, without modification in any form.

GHOSTING: Ghosting refers to a player or team acquiring additional information during a match from third-party sources, such as stream viewers or the live audience. To compensate for this, all NJCAAE streams must have a minimum of 3-minute delay to the broadcast.

First-Person Shooter (FPS): Any game where the player assumes a First-Person point of view and is equipped with a ranged weapon as a primary weapon. These games are commonly mutiplayer arena style games where the goal is to eliminate the opposing team. Examples include: Halo Infinite, Rainbow 6 Siege, Call of Duty, and Valorant.

⚠️Caution: Those who suffer from motion sickness can have adverse effects while watching First-Person gameplay.

Watch an example here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1673698904

 Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs): Each match starts with two opposing teams typically composed of five players. Players work together as a team to achieve the ultimate victory condition, which is to destroy their enemy's base whilst protecting their own. Usually, both teams have main structures, located at the opposite corners of the battlefield. The first team to destroy the opponents' main structure wins the match, though some games have the option of different victory conditions. Destroying other structures within the opposing team's base may confer other benefits. (Courtesy: Wikipedia.org)

 SPORTS: Any game featuring traditional sports such as: Football, soccer, basketball, and baseball. The rules of these games are typically the same rules as the traditional sports themselves. However, gameplay usually features the player controlling all of the virtual athletes on the field and managing the team.

PLAYER BASE: Player Base refers to the total population of players of a specific game. Games with larger player bases tend to be the most popular and well renowned for competitive play.

Card/Deck Building: Collectible Card Games and Deck Building Games require players to strategically add cards to a deck that is then randomized and played within another set of game mechanics. Popular franchises include: Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, and within the NJCAAE - Hearthstone.

Racing: Any game that heavily features racing as the main game mechanic. Many of these games include items and abilities that can disrupt opponents and grant boons to the players. The NJCAAE currently offers competition in Mario Kart 8 DX and iRacing.