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What does EZ mean and why does the acronym hurt so much?

Anyone who has ever played competitive multiplayer games against other players knows the bitter taste of defeat. And possibly the scorn of toxic trolls: They like to rub salt in the wound by writing “EZ”, for example. You can find out what this abbreviation means here.

Some abbreviations are not self-explanatory, or did you know what NSFW means? The abbreviation EZ also raises questioning frowns. EZ stands for the English word "easy", which translates as "simple" or "light".

The abbreviation EZ: Not a nice abbreviation

When someone texts EZ in the multiplayer chat of League of Legends, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it doesn't mean anything nice - especially post-game.

Players express that you or your team were not a challenge for him or her. Toxic gamers also bombard the chat with the shortcut even after an even match - just to catch up. That's not cool. Better enjoy your victory like a real champ and write a friendly “GG”. This stands for "Good Game". It also shows the defeated respect.

How do I deal with toxic players?

Don't get involved in any discussions. Toxic players never react rationally, they just want to insult you. There are various reasons for this: One is to throw you off balance and make you feel insecure.

Some find it funny to be offensive and feel protected by the anonymity of the internet. If a player is obviously toxic, your only option is to mute him or her. Every game has this option, often as a "mute" button on the scoreboard - where all players and their accumulated points are listed.

Should I report toxic players?

Reading EZ hurts, but the abbreviation is one of the smaller hostilities. It is not uncommon for players to have to deal with racism, sexism and much more brutal insults. To ensure justice, you can “report” players. This is how you let the community manager know if a player misbehaves. The community managers then decide on further procedures. This can result in a permanent game ban. In the worst case, legal action will be taken.

Keep in mind: Reporting such players has nothing to do with petzten. Gambling should be fun and not a playground for racists, sexists or trolls.

Have you ever read the abbreviation EZ in the chat itself? Share your experiences with us in the comments.