AFK — Definition, examples, FAQs, and more

AFK: a brief history

The term AFK originated in the early days of internet chat and online gaming. Initially, it was heavily used in text-based roleplaying games where players needed to notify others of their temporary absence to avoid disrupting the game’s flow.

As online gaming expanded to include MMORPGs and other multiplayer online games, more and more people began using the term.

Over the years, usage has expanded beyond gaming to include any online activity, although it remains highly relevant in gaming contexts. It has become a part of internet slang, widely recognized even outside gaming circles.

How it's used today

Players use AFK in many online communities where quick responses are expected. It’s especially common during live or ongoing text-based sessions, so that others know not to expect immediate replies.

Types of games where the term is commonly used include:

MUD, MUSH, RPMUD, PbP, Chat RPG, MMORPG, Talker, Social media RPG.

AFK examples

• In a MUD, a player might type “AFK, need to answer the door” before stepping away from their computer.
• During a play-by-post (PbP) game, a participant might post in the game thread, “Going AFK for the night, see you all tomorrow!”
• In a team-based online game, a player might say “brb, AFK” before grabbing a snack.
• In a game like Roblox, Fortnite, or Minecraft, a player could announce, “AFK for a bit, back in 10.”
• In an MMORPG, players might see an AFK or “Away” tag next to a character’s name, indicating their temporary absence.

Myths and misconceptions

1. Going AFK in text-based RPGs signals disinterest or disrespect. In reality, players often leave their keyboards due to real-life necessities, not because they wish to ignore the game or disregard other players.
2. Players who go AFK frequently are unreliable. In reality, players might leave their keyboard due to unforeseen circumstances and RL distractions. It doesn’t necessarily reflect their reliability or commitment to the game.
3. Going AFK always disrupts the flow of gameplay and ruins the experience for everyone. While unexpected absences can be inconvenient, most communities are understanding if players communicate or provide notice when going AFK.
4. Typing AFK means you will be gone for a long time. However, AFK can refer to both short and long periods away, and players often specify the expected duration if necessary.
5. Only inexperienced players need to announce when they’re AFK. In truth, seasoned players recognize that letting the group know you’re unavailable is a sign of respect and helps maintain smooth group interaction.

AFK FAQs

How do players indicate they are away from the keyboard?

Players typically type “AFK” in the game’s chat window or use a status feature if available to let others know they are away from their keyboard.

Some games will automatically flag players as away if they are inactive for a while. When this happens, the player will have <Away> or [AFK] or some similar tag next to their name.

How do you remove or come back from AFK?

Depending on the game, you can usually remove your away status in one of two ways: 1) by typing “afk” into the command line, or 2) by entering any other command.

Some games require you to toggle away status on/off, while others simply remove the AFK flag when you do anything to indicate that you’re no longer away. For example, going west or dropping an item could remove the away status.

What should I do if someone is AFK in a game?

If someone appears to be away from their keyboard, it’s usually best to wait for a reasonable amount of time for them to return, then proceed with the game if it does not depend on their participation.

What is considered a reasonable amount of time will depend on the game’s etiquette or RP culture.

For example, in a MUSH with async roleplay, players can be unresponsive for hours at a time without issue. In a real-time RP game, it’s usually reasonable to wait a few minutes before proceeding around the unresponsive player.

How long is too long to be away in a game?

The acceptable duration varies depending on the context of the game or chat and the player’s reason for leaving their keyboard.

In fast-paced games, even a few minutes can be too long, while in more casual settings, players are usually willing to wait longer.

It is common etiquette for players to give an approximate return time if they expect to be away for a longer period.

Can going AFK affect game outcomes?

Yes, leaving the keyboard can significantly impact the outcomes in team-based or multiplayer games where each player’s participation is crucial.

For example, stepping away during a World of Warcraft raid or a match in a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) could have serious consequences for the rest of the team.

Is it considered rude to go AFK in games?

It can be considered rude in games requiring active participation and teamwork, especially if the player does not inform others or is absent for an extended period without a valid reason.

In games with asynchronous play, however, it’s generally not considered rude to leave the keyboard unannounced. Stepping away from the computer usually only impacts real-time communication or gameplay.

What happens if a player is AFK for too long?

In many games, being away for an extended period can lead to automatic disconnection to prevent disruption to gameplay. In text-based games, players will sometimes go linkdead before being logged off.

To prevent from being logged out automatically, players of MU*s will often set up a timer in their MUD client that periodically sends text to the game to keep the connection active. This way, they can stay logged into the game indefinitely and read anything that may have happened while they were away. For example, conversations over faction chat or the OOC channel.