GLHF: What does GLHF mean?

In video game terms, the complete form of GLHF is "Good Luck, Have Fun." Many people use this phrase at the start of a match to eliminate any chance of toxicity between both teams by ensuring they mean well to the other side. It's common in competitive games like Valorant, League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, etc., because it sets up a respectful tone for the entirety of the game.

The phrase GLHF helps build mutual respect among both parties. It reminds players, during competitive times when everyone feels toxic, that the other side has actual people. Maybe they just came online for a good time and enjoyed the experience rather than trying hard. It ensures that losing doesn't feel as bad as it usually does.

Since when did players start to use the phrase “GLHF”?

The abbreviation GLHF has been used since the start of online video games, dating as far back as old competitive chess lobbies. According to a Redditor, the first time they saw people using the term was in a chess lobby in the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

Other people believe that gamers started using the phrase around the launch of some of the first multiplayer titles, such as Quake ^[1], Counter-Strike 1.6, and even Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy ^[2]. The release dates of these titles also point toward the fact that GLHF has been used since the beginning of PvP games and not just competitive titles. Now, it's a much-used phrase that can be seen in almost any multiplayer title.

References

1. [1] "Quake Wikipedia page". en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved October 05, 2024
2. [2] "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Steam page". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved October 05, 2024