The word originates from the
Battlefield community. It refers to a player who believes he/she is the only player that deserves to play the game and let's everyone know it through chat. The name originated from the player coming in at random moments and ruining the fun (such as
redtide in real life comes and goes randomly to ruin the ocean for beach-goers.)
If you ask a
Redtide a question, or make a comment, he/she will most likely reply with a
smarty pants comment.