ingame

In-game, or ingame, is an adjective and noun used to describe elements, content, features, or events that exist within a video game’s virtual world and are encountered during play. It is commonly contrasted with out-of-game (OOG) or real life, which refers to activities or information outside the game environment.

The term covers a wide range of content and concepts that are part of the game itself. This includes gameplay mechanics, narrative sequences, characters, items, environments, user interfaces, and online events that players experience while playing. It can also refer to temporary or evolving content such as limited-time modes or live events that are integrated into the game.

In discourse and documentation, ingame is used in compounds such as ingame currency, ingame items, ingame achievements, and ingame chat. It appears in patch notes, design discussions, and marketing materials to distinguish what is embedded in the game from external materials like manuals, community sites, or streams. Usage patterns vary by writer and publication; some style guides prefer in-game or in game, while ingame remains common in informal contexts.

Notes on usage: while ingame is widely understood in gaming communities, preferences for hyphenation or spacing vary. Writers should align with their chosen style guide when possible, but the ingame form is widely recognized to denote content that is part of the game experience.