first-person shooter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical (Gaming)
Quick answer
What does “first-person shooter” mean?
A video game genre where the player experiences the action through the eyes of the character they control, with the primary gameplay involving shooting weapons.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A video game genre where the player experiences the action through the eyes of the character they control, with the primary gameplay involving shooting weapons.
A genre of action video game centered on gun and other weapon-based combat through a first-person perspective (i.e., from the player's viewpoint). The genre is characterized by a focus on aiming and shooting mechanics, often involving a variety of firearms, and typically features missions or matches in a 3D environment. The term can also refer to an individual game of this genre.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The genre name is identical. Minor potential differences in associated slang (e.g., 'maths' vs. 'math' in related discussions).
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. The term is strongly associated with core gaming culture and its specific mechanics.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties within gaming and technology contexts. The abbreviation 'FPS' is universally used.
Grammar
How to Use “first-person shooter” in a Sentence
PLAY + first-person shooterBE + a first-person shooterDEVELOP + a first-person shooterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first-person shooter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It had that classic first-person shooter feel.
- The game pioneered first-person shooter mechanics.
American English
- It had that classic first-person shooter feel.
- The game pioneered first-person shooter mechanics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the video game industry to categorise and market products (e.g., 'Our studio is developing a new first-person shooter for next-gen consoles.').
Academic
Used in media studies, game studies, or sociology papers analysing video game genres and their impact (e.g., 'The cultural discourse surrounding the first-person shooter genre...').
Everyday
Used by gamers and in general conversation about hobbies (e.g., 'I don't play many first-person shooters; I prefer sports games.').
Technical
The precise term for the genre in game design, development, and journalism. Discusses mechanics like 'FPS controls', 'FPS map design', 'FPS netcode'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first-person shooter”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first-person shooter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first-person shooter”
- Using 'FPS' to mean only 'frames per second' in a gaming context (it's a common acronym collision).
- Writing with incorrect hyphenation: 'first person shooter' (should be hyphenated).
- Confusing with 'third-person shooter'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a compound adjective+noun phrase used as a single noun, so it is standardly hyphenated.
It stands for 'First-Person Shooter'. However, in technical gaming contexts, 'FPS' can also mean 'Frames Per Second', so context is key.
In a first-person shooter, the camera is positioned as if looking through the character's eyes. In a third-person shooter, the camera is positioned behind or over the shoulder of the character, so you can see the character's body.
While combat is the genre's defining mechanic, some experimental games use the first-person shooter format for non-violent purposes, like painting ('Superhot') or puzzle-solving ('Portal', though it's often classified as a first-person puzzle-platformer).
A video game genre where the player experiences the action through the eyes of the character they control, with the primary gameplay involving shooting weapons.
First-person shooter is usually informal, technical (gaming) in register.
First-person shooter: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst pɜːsn ˈʃuːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːrst pɜːrsn ˈʃuːt̬ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'First-Person Shooter' = **F**irst **P**erson **S**cope. You look first-person through a scope to shoot.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PLAYER IS THE PROTAGONIST (The interface metaphor creates a direct, embodied connection between player action and game world action).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a first-person shooter?