this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2023
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In many games there are a lot of stupid filler items that you don't know what they do and they don't matter. (i.e. crafting ingredients). They are so ubiquitous across games that there ought to be a word for them. Sort of like a "MacGuffin" (except a MacGuffin moves the plot along, and these filler items don't).

Is there a name for these filler items? If not, got any ideas?

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[–] crypticthree@lemmy.world 25 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Junk items are what I usually call them. They might have some use, but they're mostly there to pass out the inventory.

For me, Trash items are a little worse, where they might do something bad (like stopping you from picking up other items because it takes up extra inventory spots or something).

[–] Deconceptualist@lemm.ee 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I think this is the best answer. But actually there's at least 4 levels.

As said, Trash is actively in your way and blocks useful items until you deal with it. It sucks.

Scrap takes inventory space but you can refine it or sell it for something useful. So it's almost a currency, just with extra steps.

Junk is filler, you may have to scroll past it but it's just weightless fluff that only occupies space visually. You don't have to deal with it in a meaningful way.

And then Trinkets are all the little trophies and audio logs that get their own special screen you can just 100% ignore if you want.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

You've got the new best answer!

[–] Boozilla@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] GrappleHat@lemmy.ml 10 points 10 months ago

"Tchotchkes: A knickknack or trinket; a decorative item or souvenir of little value." <-- This isn't bad

[–] calypsopub@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

Vendor trash

[–] GrappleHat@lemmy.ml 5 points 10 months ago

"Mathom" - A trinket or piece of bric-a-brac; a knick-knack, often used in regifting. Term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

miscellanea?

[–] averyminya@beehaw.org 4 points 10 months ago

Clutter, misc, trashure, junk, scrap.

[–] GombeenSysadmin@feddit.uk 2 points 10 months ago

One more word to add to the collection: cruft. Stuff that just builds up without you really noticing, mostly because it’s easier to collect everything than to filter it out of the good stuff.

[–] Elevator7009@kbin.run 2 points 10 months ago

Shop Fodder. Warning for TVTropes link.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 1 points 10 months ago

Bad game design?

[–] Durandal@lemmy.today 1 points 10 months ago

Dungeon Lint

[–] justlookingfordragon@lemmy.world 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I always called it "clutter" tho I don't know whether this is in any way official. De-cluttering an inventory means tossing the useless stuff out or packing it away.

[–] JoYo@lemmy.ml -1 points 10 months ago

guff.

Guffipedia was a gold mine.