What Does Skill Issue Mean In Gaming? (Explained!)

If someone say something is a “skill issue,” what they are saying is that a problem you’re having in a video game is to do with your own skill, and nothing else. You might be blaming something in the game for your difficulty when it’s really only down to your skill with the game.

Many might think of, and indeed use, the phrase skill issue to insult someone’s ability to play a game.

It is implying that someone’s skill is the problem.

But it can also be an honest way of telling someone they won’t get over their issue with the game by trying to place blame with the game itself.

Let’s find out more.

In This Article

What does it mean to have skill issue?

If you’ve ever posted a question online because you were having trouble with a video game, and been met with countless comments simply stating “skill issue”, then you’ve had the essence of the experience.

You ask a sincere question and are met with nothing but glib, self-satisfied people on Reddit telling you that it’s entirely a problem of your skill.

This is the meaning of having a “skill issue”.

The idea is that whatever your difficulty happens to be with the game, it’s down only and entirely to your own skill.

There’s nothing the game could do differently, indeed not even any knowledge or tips you should have that would help you.

You know everything you need to know, you just aren’t good enough at the game to beat it.

Of course, the implication of everyone who comments “skill issue” is that they are good at the game and you are not.

They’re better than you.

This has been used in all sorts of different games over the years.

Most often, they are used in gaming communities around games that have an exceptional reputation for being very hard.

The Binding of Isaac, for instance, is a very common one.

But perhaps the most common games which this phrase is used for are the challenging RPG combat games of From Software, such as the legendary Dark Souls.

These games take enormous amounts of patience for new players, and so veteran players love to lord it over new players.

“You can’t beat that boss? Pfft, skill issue! Casual!” for example.

But it isn’t always meant to be completely sincere.

It’s also used sarcastically, as a joke.

For example, let’s say someone died in a game in a way they couldn’t avoid, due to a glitch.

They then post a video of that happening online asking what happened, and someone jokingly says “skill issue”.

They are just being sarcastic, mocking those who seriously use the phrase.

Where did this originate, then?

Where did skill issue start?

As for its direct, definite original origin, we aren’t completely sure.

Most agree that it first became a “meme” in the community for a game called Friday Night Funkin’.

As the name suggests, this is a rhythm game in which players have to use buttons on their keyboard or controller to keep rhythm with the music in the game.

It’s a bit like the more well-known Guitar Hero in that way.

At first, in the early days of this game, many players would complain that the charting of the notes for the rhythm was not very good, and yet veteran players would simply respond “skill issue”.

Again, most of the time, this was meant as a joke, as even those who liked the game admitted there were a lot of areas for improvement.

As I say, though, it quickly spread to almost any other game that presented any serious difficulty for players.

In many ways, it became more commonly a joke poking fun at the game itself rather than the player.

So, that speaks an important question—is it an insult?

Is skill issue an insult?

It naturally depends a bit on the context, but it usually is not meant as a genuine insult now.

It’s more of a joke usually, and tends to be an ironic way of pointing out there is an issue with the game which is insurmountable for any player.

That said, there are many less friendly gamers out there who like to lord their success and ability over others—even if they don’t really have any great ability!

They use skill issue as a glib insult, but these people are certainly in the minority by a long way.

Does the phrase have any other meanings?

What does skill issue mean on social media?

Skill issue has expanded its meaning slightly into social media.

Here, skill issue still essentially means that the reason you’re having a problem is because of your skill and nothing else.

However, it can apply to more than just video games.

It might refer to an issue someone is having in sport, in their work, in their dating and love life, virtually any area of life!

Again, though, it’s most commonly used as a joke, and still kind of sits in the position of being a reference to the video game slang.

So, while it can certainly be frustrating to ask for help with something and be glibly told simply “skill issue”, sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones we need the most!

Equally, though, there are countless obnoxious people waiting to tell you that they are better than you at a game and the only reason you’re having trouble is because you’re not good enough at the game.

More in Gaming Meanings

Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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