The ultimate gamer explainer

Image of gaming streamer @HeyImNatalia

Get to grips with gamer speak

It's not easy getting your head around gamer-speak - especially if you're new to gaming, haven't played in a while or you're just trying to speak the same language as your kids.

Whether you're curious about low latency gaming, internet speeds, gaming subscriptions, ping, or what makes online gaming feel smooth and responsive, our gamer explainer has you covered. These short videos break down popular gaming terms in around 3 minutes or less.

It's fair to say that, with her impressive presence on Twitch and Kick, @HeyImNatalia knows her way around a gaming console. Even better, she knows how to explain complex concepts in a way that makes sense to everyone.

 

Let's talk Teraflops

Teraflops are the measurement of the raw mathematical data happening inside your GPU. Tera stands for Trillion and flops means Floating Point Operations Per Second.  Still confused? Don't worry @HeyImNatalia is about to make it super clear.

Along the way, you'll learn what a GPU is, why Teraflops matter (especially in multiplayer gameplay) and whether you need to rush out and buy more.

Check out Natalia's video on Teraflops

 

Gaming subscriptions

With new games being released daily, paired with the need to pick up as many titles as possible, gaming subscriptions come in clutch. 

Think about the music or video streaming services you currently pay per month. Well, gaming subscriptions are just like that! In exchange for your regular payment, the subscription service provider will allow instant access to a large library of games plus on occasion, special perks including early access to titles or demos. Pretty cool, right?

Xbox Game Pass is one of these gaming subscriptions that allows access to over 100+ incredible games. Plus, they’re constantly introducing more gaming titles.

Check out Natalia's video on game subscriptions


Frames per second (FPS)

When playing a video game, watching a movie or doing anything on a screen, your graphics card will be rendering out and sending a series of still images to your eyes constantly - these are known as 'frames'.

When these images are viewed at speed it gives the appearance of motion or video. Frames per second (FPS) is the measurement of how many individual images are shown to your eyes every single second.

Your FPS can make or break your gaming experience and finding the right FPS for you and your gameplay is super important.

Let @HeyImNatalia talk you through all things FPS and you'll be an expert by the end of this video!

Check out Natalia's video on all things FPS

 

Gaming accessories

With a sea of gaming accessories on the market, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

Don't fret! @HeyImNatalia is here to talk you through the basics of controllers, headsets and hard drives to arm you with a bunch of handy info to pick what's right for you and your setup.

Check out Natalia's video on gaming accessories

 

Optimise your gaming traffic

While playing your favourite online multiplayer game, a fast internet connection paired with a quick response time is incredibly important to give you an edge over your competitors.

Should you be experiencing any lag, excess amounts of latency or dropouts - the connection between yourself and the game is disrupted and crucial information in regards to your gameplay can be lost.

In this video, @HeyImNatalia teaches you more about bettering your connection with the help of Telstra's Internet Optimiser to prioritise gaming traffic on your home network!

Check out Natalia's video on optimising your gaming traffic

 

Home network tips for gaming

Did you know that the way your home network is set up could be helping or hindering you? 

Well, let @HeyImNatalia walk you through the different connection types you can see in your home and how they can help you boost that internet speed! 

Check out Natalia's video on home network tips

 

How important is your modem for gaming?

If you want to play video games online - there’s a really important piece of the puzzle that can’t be missed, the modem.

When you think of a modem you’re probably thinking of the box in your living room that connects into your wall that you don’t really think about all that much. Well - if you’re thinking of playing video games online - knowing a little more about your modem, what it does and how it benefits your gaming experience is not a bad idea.

Check out Natalia's explanation on modems for gaming

 

Why gamers care about servers

If you’re an online gamer, no doubt you’ve heard the word 'server' pop up every now and then. 

A server is a piece of hardware or software that acts as a 'host' that all users, or 'clients' connect to. What does this mean in terms of gaming?

Let @HeyImNatalia explain all things server related!

Check out Natalia's explanation on servers
 

Gaming and console streaming

What is cloud gaming? That’s a valid question.

Cloud gaming lets you play video games over the internet without needing to download or install them on your device. Instead, the game runs on powerful remote servers and is streamed to your compatible phone, tablet, PC or console, similar to how video streaming services work.

@HeyImNatalia runs through all things cloud gaming and how it can elevate your gaming experience.

Check out Natalia's explanation on cloud gaming

 

Other gaming terms you should know

Low latency gaming

You'll often hear players talk about latency. What is latency in gaming? It measures how quickly data travels between your device and a game server.

  • Lower latency can help create a more responsive gaming experience with less noticeable delay between your actions and what happens on screen. 

  • Higher latency can sometimes result in lag, delayed responses, or less smooth online gameplay.

For competitive games such as first-person shooters, racing games and battle royales, lower latency can help reduce delays between pressing a button and seeing the action happen on screen.

Refresh rate

Refresh rate is the number of times a display updates the image on screen each second. It's measured in hertz (Hz).

A higher refresh rate can make gameplay appear smoother, particularly in fast-paced games such as racing, sports and first-person shooters.

Cross-platform gaming

Cross-platform gaming allows people using different devices, consoles, or operating systems to play together in the same game.

For example, some games let players on PC, Xbox and PlayStation join the same online match.

Input lag

Input lag is the delay between pressing a button, moving a controller, or clicking a mouse and seeing that action happen on screen.

Gamers often look for low input lag to help improve responsiveness during gameplay.

Frequently asked questions about gaming

Ping is a measurement of latency. It's typically displayed in milliseconds (ms) and indicates how quickly your device communicates with a game server. Lower ping generally means less delay during gameplay.

FPS (frames per second) measures how smoothly visuals are displayed on screen, while latency measures how quickly data travels between your device and the game server. Both can affect your overall gaming experience.

Lag can be caused by a range of factors, including high latency, network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, game server issues, or other devices using your internet connection at the same time.

A stable internet connection, minimising network congestion and using a reliable gaming setup can help reduce lag.

The internet speed you need depends on the games you play and how many people or devices are connected to your network. For online gaming, connection quality, stability and latency can be just as important as download speed.

When choosing a home internet plan for gaming:

  • Check what's available at your address first.
  • Choose a speed tier that matches how you game, stream and browse.

  • Consider a higher-speed plan if multiple people game or stream at the same time.

  • Look for unlimited data to help support game downloads, cloud gaming and streaming.

Read Stay locked in the game with Telstra Home Internet for more details.

Gaming subscriptions give you access to a library of games for a recurring fee. Some subscriptions may also include member benefits, exclusive content, or early access to selected titles.

Gaming accessories are products designed to enhance your gaming experience. Common examples include gaming headsets, controllers, keyboards, mice, monitors, and racing wheels.

Explore our latest gaming accessories

A gaming headset can help you hear in-game audio more clearly and communicate with teammates during multiplayer games. Many headsets also include features such as surround sound and noise-cancelling microphones.

Online multiplayer gaming allows multiple players to connect over the internet and play together in the same game, whether cooperatively or competitively.

Explore more on this topic

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