casual

Definition

Casual is any game mode without rank or rating updates. Casual modes (also called pubs or quick play) are intended for low-pressure play, but most modern games still apply skill-based matchmaking in casual to avoid stomp-or-be-stomped lobbies. The result is that "casual" is rarely as relaxed as the name implies.

Example

"Casual feels as sweaty as ranked these days." SBMM in casual produces tightly contested matches even without rank stakes.

Related terms

• ranked
• SBMM
• matchmaking
• pubs