Basics of the meta and how it shapes competitive gaming

Video games create communities of players which in turn forms tradition and culture. More often than not, someone’s ideas will influence a handful or a majority of this community if it appeals to everyone’s senses. This is an example of how a meta is made.

Meta is one of the most discussed topics in any video game community, particularly those that are competitive in nature—esports. This includes League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) and VALORANT. It is the word used to trigger discussions on the state of the game and its players. If you want to learn more about what the ‘meta’ is, then here’s your guide:

What is meta in gaming?

The ‘meta’ is an unofficial word encompassing the most optimal way of playing although many believe it can be abbreviated to ‘most effective tactic available’. If you say that ‘an item/character is meta’, then it is objectively the best of its kind. There will be alternatives to acknowledge but the item/character that is declared as ‘meta’ is the best one in most cases while the others are situational. 

The meta in gaming is built around existing mechanics and statistics. They can be created based on an exploit someone discovered and the rest of the community merely expanded upon it. Sometimes, the new meta is created as a response to the previous one, allowing the video game to evolve with its players. Knowing the current meta in any esports you want to bet on helps with your decisions as well.

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What are the factors affecting the meta of a game?

Meta is an abstract concept but it is easy to understand if you know what to look for. Even then, it would be impossible to summarise the current state of a video game simply because it is ever changing. The best you can find is a rough estimate of the current meta. 

The best way to understand the meta is to learn what are the factors contributing to its development. They are all easy to find because they are literal and quantifiable by numbers. There are three in particular that you can consider if you want to dive deeper into details.

Balance patches 

Every competitive video game is updated from time to time through balance patches. These are tweaks to several or all elements ranging from minor adjustments to major overhauls. It is the most direct way that the developer affects the meta because they change the numbers given. 

Meta is essentially the result of players crunching numbers. Whichever is the most time-cost-effective option then it is the best one in the game. Thus, balance patches have a huge impact on players’ experience. 

Popularity of characters, items, and strategy 

The easiest way to find the meta is to play and see what you find. Which character is picked most frequently or which item appears in almost everyone’s inventory? You can rely on your personal experience but it’s better to find an online forum where you can bring it up. 

Other players will either agree or disagree with your accounts based on their own observations. This allows all of you to find a common conclusion on what is the current trend. Popularity is correlated with the balance patches but it can be identified by definition. It only refers to what is most picked. 

Sometimes, the popularity of a character or item is not based on its effectiveness but because it’s fun to use. This becomes one of the causes for some players to crunch the numbers and look for ways to counter them. Therefore, meta in games can be described as a response to trends.

Exploits on the system

No games are perfect and there will be glitches or unintended combos that players can exploit. Some of these even make it into esports although the developers often try to patch it out before the next match. Other times, these become features adding to the game’s charm. 

One title that embraced this is Apex Legends, a first-person battle royale shooting game. Bunny hopping and wall bouncing are the two most popular ones. They can be performed using a combination of button prompts causing a glitch that works more effectively than conventional actions. 

Bunny hopping, for example, allows any Legend to move faster than normal sprinting. Wall bouncing allows players to jump higher and further away than a regular hop, acting as a strong dodge mechanic. Neither of those two are mechanics of the game but they became so beloved by the community that their uses are normalised.

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What does meta mean in video games?

Meta has a huge impact on the state of a video game and how you respond to it can make or break your experience. Sometimes, you can ignore it because you already have a favourite way of playing and learning a new trick isn’t your style. 

However, the importance of the meta in esports is so great that pro players usually have to abide by it to ensure victory. If you are a competitive gamer, then you should also use it to your advantage. Here are some ideas that you can employ:

Use it as a reference to learn new playstyles

You can use the meta as a basis for how to play a specific character in any game. This is especially doable in team-based games where you have a role to fulfil. Having a favourite and sticking to it is ideal but it’s not often available. Sometimes, you will have to give someone the position you want and take the one that the team needs. 

Games, where this is common, include Overwatch 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, and Dota 2. Find the meta of the role you want to learn and go to tier lists. There, you will find which characters are the strongest in that role and what they can provide for the team. This is always based on the current meta which means you’ll be best prepared to take on enemies employing the same strategy. If that’s the case, then it just becomes a matter of who can execute it better.

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Use it as a basis for what to expect and prepare for

If you prefer to stick with your preferred character and role, then you should at least use the meta to prepare for the next match. There will be a handful of meta users both in the enemy team and your allies. Knowing what to expect will at least allow you to strategise better without compromising your predetermined plans. 

For example, if League of Legends is currently in a meta where tanks are strong, then you have two options. The first is to get items early that will reduce their armour/magic resistance and the second is to find ways that will help you avoid having to fight them. Depending on the meta, expect the most used champions in League by pros to also change every competitive season.

Meta in precision-oriented games, like CS:GO, is usually referring to which gun can kill the fastest. This is usually a skill issue where the only factors to consider include a potential distance between you and the opponents by the time you meet. In maps full of open areas, a long-ranged weapon with great handling is vital. Shotguns or SMGs are preferred in close-ranged encounters in maps with plenty of turns. 

Use it to predict pro matches’ outcomes

The meta gaming and esports always come together because pros will always use the most optimal options to win a game with stakes. Losing can either cost them the league title they are playing for or their career, leaving no room for errors. There are plenty of online resources you can use to find which heroes are the players’ favourites. 

Sometimes, it’s better to just ask esports fans who watch the players’ streams who they play the most. Knowing these details as well as understanding the current meta gives you a reliable idea of which team is likely to win. Place your bets on esports markets at Gamdom to win real cash prizes, rewarding your mastery of the game.

Is meta a priority in video games?

If you are a competitive player, then yes. Understanding the meta is your top priority. Always stay updated with the latest patch notes and talk about trends with players online. Knowledge is the key to victory and the more you know, the better strategy you can employ. 

Despite pro players’ dependence on the meta, it is not that important to casual players. Meta gaming esports is often deemed a stressful way to play any game. Use it only if you want to be competitive like climbing ranks or betting on esports at Gamdom. Otherwise, it’s always better to stick with your favourites or just enjoy the game as you see fit. 

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Words: Clarence Clarke