QTE

Texting & Internet Slang abbreviation · Gaming Slang

QTE
Stands forQuick time event
CategoriesTexting & Internet Slang

QTE stands for Quick time event, a gaming slang abbreviation also used in entertainment.

Game sequence in which the player must press a displayed button or combination within a short time to succeed, often during cutscenes or action set pieces.

Example: Missed the QTE during the boss cutscene and had to watch it all again.

Usage notes

Director Yu Suzuki's Shenmue (1999) coined the term, though similar prompts appeared in Dragon's Lair (1983). QTEs became a staple of 2000s action games such as God of War and Resident Evil 4. Many players dislike them as interruptions to real gameplay.

More gaming slang abbreviations

  • PvE – Player versus environment
  • PvP – Player versus player
  • PvPvE – Player versus player versus environment
  • PWN – Own (defeat)
  • QoL – Quality of life
  • QQ – Crying (emoticon)
  • Rekt – Wrecked
  • Rez – Resurrect
  • RMT – Real-money trading
  • RNG – Random number generator
  • RQ – Rage quit
  • SBMM – Skill-based matchmaking

See all 145 gaming slang abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.