Gaming: What is timegating? We explain the term

In the gaming scene there is no lack of special neologisms. Especially in the field of online role-playing games, the term timegating keeps popping up. We explain what it is.

Time heals (almost) every progress: Timegating became known especially through World of Warcraft.

The abundance of content is more than sufficient for casual gamers, but not for hardcore gamers. Via timegating, the ratios are at least partially set right.

What is timegating and what purpose does it serve?

Literally, timegating describes a lock that is given by time alone.

• In MMORPGs, this means that certain content is only unlocked on a set date.
• So even the best and fastest players on the server can't see the content beforehand, regardless of how far they've already gotten with the existing content.
• This ensures that a larger proportion of players can get away with the fresh content at the same time.
• In addition, timegating for very ambitious players stretches the time in which they have something to do.

The principle of withheld content was made particularly famous by World of Warcraft and is still a mechanism used there today. The staggered schedule in the latest expansion Shadowlands is the best example of this. The principle is also common in other role-playing games, so many players know the schedule well.