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pay to win

Traditionally, pay to win refered to a situation in a videogame where paying real life money gave the player any sort of advantageous or otherwise gameplay-altering (non-cosmetic) effect or object. These could range from acquiring regular in game items that can be obtained easily through regular gameplay to powerful items and advantages via the use of real money, whether exclusively or not.

Nowadays, the meaning of the expression varies slightly. It is mostly used to describe games which either have significantly powerful perks or items exclusively obtained with real money or excessively grindy games where the advantage obtained by using real money can be accomplished through gameplay, albeit taking very long to obtain.

Some players argue that pay to win only applies to online games, in which paying real money can give players an edge over players who simply play the game in order to unlock more weapons, characters, progression, etc. while others consider it can apply to any kind of game (including single player titles) where paying real money gives an advantage to the player.

Games which merely offer some minor advantages (in game objects, currency, experience boosts...) via microtransactions, DLCs or other bonuses are regarded by most as not pay to win, even though they technically fit that description in the traditional sense, since they are still considered advantages tied to real world money.
+ You can pay real money in this game to obtain powerful weapons?
- Yes, but you can also earn them by playing the game normally
+ That is still pay to win

+ This game has no multiplayer, it is not pay to win
- You can still pay for advantages, even if they don't help you beat other real players, so it is pay to win
by LarsGontiel May 20, 2020
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@ColorsTV Rahul Vaidya for the win is used by RKVians for sending message to colors tv that audience want to see Rahul Vaidya as the winner. Chubina is using bots. But Rahul has genuine fans. We want Rahul as the winner.
by Hvash February 9, 2021
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Pay to Win

Pay to Win is a situation in gaming (usually MMOs or Massively Multiplayer Online games) where companies allow you to buy items or advantages with real money that cannot be obtained normally by playing the game.

An exception to the rule is that if an item/advantage can be obtained in-game but the acquisition time is unreasonably long, that can also be considered Pay to Win.
You can only get the top-rated equipment in this game from the real money store... this game is Pay to Win at it's worst.
by Kaedan August 9, 2018
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can't win for losing

A phrase meaning that things would be going great for you if they weren't going so badly.
"Well, my girlfriend dumped me, my dog died, I got fired from my job, I went to grab some fast food to make myself feel better and on the drive back I got a flat tire, and when I finally get home I realize they screwed up my order."
"Damn, you can't win for losing."
by Kraas March 5, 2008
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box of win

Simply put, a box of wine. So called because the high volume of shitty wine contained within will help you achieve whatever goals you desire, provided they involve lowering your standards and/or projectile vomiting.
"Crack open another box of win, it's gonna be a long night"
"Blaaaaaaaargh"
by Daniel P. Rash August 16, 2006
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for the win

In gaming parlance, a choice or strategy that should guarantee victory. The phrase comes from the TV game show Hollywood Squares. Contestants choosing a square which would give them 3 in a row would frequently say something like "I'll take Paul Lynde for the win."
Harry: "We need more dps to get past this boss."
Sally: "Affliction spec for the win!"
by baudkarma January 11, 2009
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Instant Win

A term which originally became popular in the days of Starcraft. It was used to designate a particular strategy or attack which would guarantee victory for whomever was using it. It was often used in conjunction with the popular equation, "Mass Carriers = Instant Win". The strategy of mass-producing the largest aerial unit in the game and using it as the sole attack force remained popular, and later spread into Warcraft 3, where it gained the updated equation, "Mass Wyrms = Instant Win".
by Aganar March 31, 2005
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