The term “skins” in video games began to gain popularity in the early 2000s, particularly with the rise of multiplayer online games. It became widely recognized through games like Counter-Strike, where players could purchase or unlock different character models and weapon appearances, commonly referred to as “skins.” However, the term became even more mainstream with the advent of games like League of Legends and Dota 2, which offered a variety of customizable appearances for characters and items. By the mid-2010s, “skins” had firmly entered gaming vocabulary as a way to describe cosmetic variations that do not affect gameplay but allow for personal expression.
The term “skins” in video games began to gain popularity in the early 2000s, particularly with the rise of multiplayer online games. It became widely recognized through games like Counter-Strike, where players could purchase or unlock different character models and weapon appearances, commonly referred to as “skins.” However, the term became even more mainstream with the advent of games like League of Legends and Dota 2, which offered a variety of customizable appearances for characters and items. By the mid-2010s, “skins” had firmly entered gaming vocabulary as a way to describe cosmetic variations that do not affect gameplay but allow for personal expression.