Gaming Lobby 101: I Said BRB and Never Came Back


Online games aren’t just about grinding or getting that W. Sometimes, it’s about what happens in the lobby… that sacred little pre-match space where friendships are formed, chaos unfolds, and people disappear mid-convo without a trace.
We’ve all done it. Said “BRB” and then… didn’t.
The Art of the Silent Goodbye
In the online gaming world, there’s a mutual understanding: ghosting happens. You could be mid-kwentuhan, your squad just dropped into the lobby, and suddenly — silence. No announcement, no “GTG,” just… poof. Offline.
But the beauty of it? No hard feelings.
Even if you ghosted the squad the night before, they won’t bring it up. It’s like it didn’t happen. Brand new day, brand new match.
Lobbies Are Basically Barkada Tambayans
Sometimes the game doesn’t even start. You and your friends are just sitting in the lobby… talking about life, showing off skins, customizing loadouts, or arguing about where to drop.
And when someone’s having a bad day? The lobby becomes a mini therapy session. No judgment, just background music and digital comfort.
Inside Jokes Are Born Here
That one time someone picked the wrong map, or when a random joined and immediately asked for a trade – it sticks. You get stories, nicknames, and memes from just 5 minutes in a lobby.
Your barkada might not remember the actual game, but they’ll remember that one chaotic lobby with the sus mic echo.
“Hello, are you in the bathroom right now?!”
It’s Not Just Gaming, It’s Social Rules
There’s an unspoken rulebook:
- Mute if you’re eating chips – please?
- Avoid holding the lobby hostage. If you’re not ready, say so.
- If someone disconnects, you wait… for at least 3 minutes. Spam tag them in your discord channel. No response? You carry on…
- And when they do return the next day? No explanation needed.
You’re just glad they’re back.

A Lobby is Never Just a Lobby
It’s a safe space, a hangout, a virtual sari-sari store where everyone’s chilling before real life kicks in again. And while you might not always say goodbye properly, what matters is you always come back… EVENTUALLY.

Joshua enjoys writing about random topics to pass the time when he is bored. As a foodie, he also writes food critiques about unusual foods with unusual combinations that make you want to throw up. He enjoys watching movies and listening to music. He has an odd talent: he can vomit on command.