Just as a note about the term 'paradigm shift'. I would argue this is an even bigger change than the current one being discussed (ie. paradigm and meta are not synonymous). A paradigm shift would be an entire new approach to the way a race and matchup is being thought out (a new way of thinking essentially), one which it has been argued for a long time that Protoss players need to utilise.

The Bisu Build was a paradigm shift as it was such a new and inspirational way of thinking about the matchup (the key word here is thinking, not playing).

To put it even more simply, discovering a potential cure for cancer would require a meta~ shift (where do we go from here?). Discovering particles which can travel faster than light requires a paradigm shift (how do we approach this differently?)

OxyContin

Australia10 Posts

February 04 2012 04:25 GMT

#162

Why can't we use both meanings?
From dictionary.com
Homonym - a word the same as another in sound and spelling but different in meaning, as chase “to pursue” and chase “to ornament metal.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homonym

Balgrog

United States1221 Posts

February 04 2012 05:42 GMT

#163

Good write up, I see this being used incorrectly a lot and I think having this will clear things up for people and it will top being used incorrectly.

cactusjack914

United States183 Posts

February 04 2012 05:57 GMT

#164

Metagaming would be acquiring knowledge of a certain opponent ahead of time and using that knowledge to make a decision in game that may have not been made otherwise. I am 100% certain this is correct. Saying the current metagame of terran is X or saying that you metagame opponents without knowing anything about them and with out ever having playing them before is simply incorrect. there is no "new" evolved meaning. That is that. and if you want to use it improperly, go ahead. Thats like defending your use of the word 'faggot' by saying the meaning has evolved and that it isn't meant as a put down towards gay, cut the bullshit.

Carras

Argentina860 Posts

February 04 2012 06:21 GMT

#165

2 isnt metagaming , its just mindgames as same as 3..

5ukkub

Poland507 Posts

February 04 2012 12:16 GMT

#166

On February 04 2012 08:39 TrickyGilligan wrote:
So I'll admit I didn't read through every post on this thread, but I was wondering if this example would conform to most people's definition of the word:

Current strategies are not the metagame, they are simply current popular strategies.

Using your knowledge of current strategies (knowledge that extends past the current game you're in) to gain an in-game advantage without any actual in-game knowledge (ie scouting) would be considered metagaming.

Does this look right to people? It's about the use of the outside knowledge you have, rather than the actual knowledge itself.

Partially right, however this "outside knowledge" only consists of current most succesfull openings, unit compositions, tactics etc.
Metagaming would be to use this knowledge to determine the best way to play the game in order to get ahead of your opponent. That means using current safest builds or strongest all-ins plus your own new ideas how to get ahead using game mechanics.

Mindgame however is to use the knowledge about the opponent and the enviroment.
It's an attempt to distract your opponent, drive him out of focus, make him feel nervous, weak etc.
It can be done in many ways, for example by intimidation, misinformation, drawing attention and pressure of spectators/fans. etc.
Even simply by not responding to "gg gl hf" you're mindgaming your opponent.
A very complex and interesting mindgame is during a long (BO 5-7-9) match, when by simply going to toilet, having technical issues, talking to teammates, can heavly influence your opponent.

There is one specific area of mindgame that can be misred as metagame.
It is using the game itself to mindgame your opponent.
You can choose a specific map, opening, tactic etc. not based on it's strengths, but to use them as a tool to make your opponent feel uncomfortable.
"I know he can be easly tilted by cheese, so i'll cheese him"
"I've already lost on this map, but i'll try to wear my opponent down, since i know he's already tired plus i'll choose a macro map and strategy next game to use it agains him"

RedFury

Italy85 Posts

February 04 2012 13:47 GMT

#167

Metagame is not a verb, why people still continue using that way =(

Methy

United Kingdom74 Posts

February 13 2012 00:26 GMT

#168

'Meta' is a prefix meaning 'beyond.' 'Metagaming is then 'beyond the game,' which refers to tactics within the game that exploit factors outside of the game, or external factors influencing decisions within the game.

Correct usage is as subtle as correct usage of 'irony,' which is why people get so annoyed by it.

Statements like 'the zerg player is going roaches because the current metagame is for terran to go reactored hellions,' are just horribly incorrect. That is not a metagame decision, that is just a game decision, it is the nature of the game that makes hellions a strong opening, and similarly it is the nature of the game that makes early roaches a good response. Nothing 'beyond' the game is taking place in anyway.

Something like 'I am playing Flash, he will probably go 14 CC, so I will proxy rax him,' is a metagame decision. You're using information of the circumstances 'beyond' the game to influence your decision within the game.

Furthermore, doing things like dropping multiple locations simultaneously to stress an opponents multitasking, or 6 pooling in the first game of a set, not for an outright win, but to throw an opponent off his mindset are metagame tactics. You're doing something within the game that exploits the situation 'beyond' the game.

Nazgul's blink stalker build vs Idra is a metagame build, the strategy was crafted to exploit a specific player's playstyle.

I must say, I am definitely one of the people that feels sick whenever I hear statements like 'the current TvZ metagame.' There's nothing 'beyond' the game about it,

cydial

United States750 Posts

February 13 2012 00:38 GMT

#169

On February 04 2012 22:47 RedFury wrote:
Metagame is not a verb, why people still continue using that way =(

Well with all words whether or not they are meant to be used as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc their definitions change over time as more and more people agree on their usage as otherwise.

RHMVNovus

United States738 Posts

February 13 2012 00:48 GMT

#170

9 pages. Not a single incidence of the word 'sweet.' Disappointed.

Anyway, it's just jargon. Would it make the remotest bit of sense to anyone not familiar with its use? Probably not. Yet it has become effective shorthand, as a verb, to refer to playing mindgames with one's opponent in using an otherwise vulnerable build order without being punished. Personally, I'm fine with 'metagame' expressing the specificity of that, though it may not be denotationally correct.