‘Prestige’ Meaning in Gaming | Esports Terms Explained
Prestige is a feature in some games that allows players to reset their character’s progress to gain a cosmetic or other reward. Usually, this means that the player loses all their levels, skills, items, and achievements, and starts from scratch. However, they also get a special badge, icon, or title that shows their prestige level, which indicates how many times they have done this.
The purpose of prestige is to provide an extra challenge and motivation for players who have reached the endgame or the maximum level of a game. It also gives them a way to show off their dedication and skill to other players. Prestige is often associated with competitive games or esports, where players strive to improve their performance and rank.
Prestige can have several benefits for players who enjoy a game and want to keep playing it. Some of the benefits are:
It adds replay value and variety to the game. By resetting their progress, players can experience the game again from a different perspective, try new strategies, or challenge themselves with harder difficulties.
It rewards players with exclusive rewards. By prestiging, players can unlock cosmetic items, such as skins, outfits, weapons, or accessories, that are only available to those who have done it. These items can make their character look more unique and cool, or give them an edge in the game.
It boosts players’ ego and status. By prestiging, players can show their commitment and skill to the game and the community. They can also compare their prestige level with other players and compete for the highest rank or leaderboard position.
What are the Drawbacks of Prestige?
Prestige can also have some drawbacks for players who are not interested in it or find it too tedious or frustrating. Some of the drawbacks are:
It erases players’ progress and achievements. By resetting their progress, players lose all the things they have worked hard for, such as levels, skills, items, and achievements. They also have to start from the beginning and grind their way up again, which can be boring or annoying.
It creates a gap between players. By prestiging, players can create a difference in power and skill between themselves and other players who have not done it. This can make the game unfair or unbalanced, especially in multiplayer modes, where prestiged players can have an advantage over non-prestiged players.
It pressures players to do it. By prestiging, players can feel pressured or obligated to do it, either by the game itself or by the community. They might feel that they are missing out on something or that they are not good enough if they do not prestige. They might also feel that they have to keep up with other players who have done it.
What are Some Examples of Games that Use Prestige?
Prestige is a feature that is used in many games, especially in the genres of first-person shooters, role-playing games, and strategy games. Some of the most popular and well-known examples of games that use prestige are:
Call of Duty: This is one of the first and most famous games that introduced the prestige system. In this game, players can prestige up to 10 times, each time resetting their level, weapons, perks, and challenges, and unlocking a new emblem and title. The game also has a master prestige mode, where players can prestige up to 1000 times and unlock more rewards.
World of Warcraft: This is one of the most popular and influential MMORPGs that uses the prestige system. In this game, players can prestige their character after reaching the level cap, which is currently 60. Each time they do so, they reset their level, gear, and talents, and get a new artifact weapon and a higher item level. The game also has a prestige rank system for PvP, where players can prestige up to 50 times and unlock cosmetic rewards, such as mounts, pets, and titles.
Clash of Clans: This is one of the most successful and addictive mobile strategy games that uses the prestige system. In this game, players can prestige their town hall after reaching the maximum level, which is currently 14. Each time they do so, they reset their buildings, troops, and resources, and get a new design and color for their town hall. The game also has a clan war league system, where clans can prestige up to 20 times and unlock exclusive rewards, such as medals, banners, and hammers.
To Sum Up
Prestige is a feature in some games that allows players to reset their character’s progress to gain a cosmetic or other reward. It can have both benefits and drawbacks for players, depending on their preferences and goals. Prestige is often used in competitive games or esports, where players want to challenge themselves and show their skill. Some of the most popular games that use prestige are Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Clash of Clans.