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cooperative

koh-OP-ruh-tiv /kəʊˈɒpərətɪv/

adjectivenounB2SATACT

generalprofessional

Involving mutual assistance in working toward a common goal; (in gaming) a mode where players work together as a team against computer-controlled opponents.

Often abbreviated as 'co-op' in gaming. It emphasizes collaboration and shared victory over competition between players.

The story behind the word. The word has long been used in agriculture, economics, and politics to describe groups working for mutual benefit. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, arcade games like 'Joust' introduced modes where players could assist each other, birthing the concept of 'co-op' gaming.

Word relationships

collaborative: 'Collaborative' is more common in professional and academic settings, while 'cooperative' (or co-op) is the standard term in gaming.

competitive: Involving players or teams competing against each other rather than working together.

Commonly confused with

multiplayer: 'Multiplayer' is the umbrella term for any game with more than one player; 'cooperative' is a specific sub-genre focused on teamwork.

Word family

cooperate (verb): To work together toward the same end.
cooperation (noun): The action or process of working together.

Collocations

cooperative play
cooperative mode
couch co-op
cooperative effort

Example sentences

"They played a cooperative campaign where success depended on sharing resources and coordinating their attacks." Discussing team dynamics in a cooperative game.

Memory hook

Cooperative means 'operating together' as a cohesive unit. Co-op is when we operate as a team.

When not to use

Do not use 'cooperative' to describe games where players compete against each other, even if they form temporary alliances.

Fun facts

The term 'couch co-op' refers specifically to cooperative games played locally on the same physical couch, sharing a single screen.