Words Worth Knowing: Payload
Words Worth Knowing was a vertical I wrote weekly explaining key pieces of gaming jargon to parents, guardians and teachers, as part of the larger overall GameHub outreach effort. The column ran for nearly two years and resulted in around 60 WWK articles. GameHubHQ.com closed in late 2017. This piece originally appeared on Oct 17, 2016.
What It Is: Payload = A moving crate of valuables.
What It Means: The Payload is a moving crate or cart, which travels through a level from a start point to an end point. It normally only moves when the player is standing in proximity to it. Some payloads will stand still if left unaccompanied, others will begin to slide backwards along the track, some distribute useful bonuses such as health packs whilst they are in transit, some are invulnerable whilst others have a limited health and can be destroyed by the enemy. Whilst the specifics differ from game to game, the overall concept of a moving trolley that must go from A to B in return for a large reward of points or prizes remains constant. Payloads appear in various guises in all genres and styles of games.
Why You Care: Have you ever heard your dearest son or daughter screaming "Get To The Payload!!" down a headset microphone? In online multiplayer games, such as Team Fortress 2 or Overwatch, the players must escort the payload from point A to B on a large map, defending it from attacking enemy players. In the heat of battle, some players will stray too far from the payload and may need to be reminded to return to the primary objective.
