Many view video games as an isolated community; a relationship between a player and his or her console or PC. Although many gamers prefer it that way, incorporating social elements into gaming can result in a better gaming experience. Multiplayer games, eSports, or participating in gaming forums can transform the gaming experience for even the most hardcore solo gamers.
Gaming Fosters Community
Despite the stigma around gaming attracting introverts who wish to remain indoors and interact with no one, the opposite is true. A study done by Activision Blizzard Media in the US found that 66% of gamers play with others, either online or in person. The study also concluded that those who play video games with loved ones enjoy feelings of healthy escapism and positivity.
Gaming is, in fact, one of the most popular social activities, second only to eating out with friends. It’s more common than watching sports together, going to the cinema, or watching live entertainment. The reason for this popularity is that gaming creates a sense of community, where players connect with one another through the games themselves, as well as forums, streams, and social media.
Kids grow up while gaming with their friends online, and continue playing against these connections even as young adults who have moved away from home. It provides an opportunity to remain connected to a social network, without seeing people in real life.
It’s not just the games themselves where connection occurs. Gaming has evolved to become a highly competitive industry, with global eSports tournaments paying out millions of dollars to winners. Players get to tune in to these events and participate in live chats.
Live streaming on platforms like Twitch has also brought like-minded gamers together. Streamers have become incredibly popular, earning celebrity status. Ninja, KaiCenat, and Ibai have become household names to most gamers, and these streamers have impacted their following significantly. They contribute to the social element by providing tips and organizing meet-and-greet events.
iGamers, those who play casino games online, may be viewed by many as solo gamers, however, even the online casino industry has social elements to it. Live dealer games allow opponents to face off against one another in poker or blackjack. Some iGamers stream their sessions live, while others establish communities through recommending their favorite gaming products through their affiliate marketing networks like ghostpartners.com.
Social Interaction And Player Motivation
Engaging with other gamers can boost player motivation, as it provides social rewards that get a gamer eager to keep playing. When interacting with others, a player may get recognized when playing well, receive helpful feedback, and feel appreciated.
Social gaming also comes with unspoken rules, like social norms and ethical gaming that must be adhered to. This enforces accountability that makes the game or forum a safe space for everyone.
Finally, interacting with other gamers can have benefits that extend into the gaming world. Players can share tips, strategies, or insights into upcoming fights or challenges. It boosts confidence and competence, making for a more engaging gaming experience.
Types of online game social interactions
There are different ways in which gamers interact in online games.
- Short-term interactions: Most of these occur in PvP games, where the social interaction happens in a short-term game scenario. Players are matched with random gamers for a short match, and social interaction only begins when the match does. Players interact through voice or chat, and once the scenario ends, so does the interaction.
- Long-term interactions: Long-term relationships are established in massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Social interactions are completely independent of in-game scenarios, and true relationships are established. Players often share parts of their lives outside of the game, like their hobbies or work. Gamers can team up willingly to complete challenges in the game, or simply have a chat with a familiar player and then progress with their own journey.
- Simple interactions: These are common in mobile games and online casino games. To win rewards, get more lives, or enjoy free spins, players must add others to the game. There is no true social interaction, simply a request to download the game or send lives.
Benefits of social interactions
The various types of social interactions all provide advantages to players as well as the game developers.
It improves engagement as players have more reasons to play and get a kick out of gaming with others. For developers, adding a social element can improve user retention. Social gaming also makes the game more variable, as players learn from others, get invited to join quests, and combine skills to defeat a challenge.
Playing multi-player games can also translate into real-world skills. Gamers who interact with others learn social skills, like empathy, communication, collaboration, and decision-making.
Challenges of social interactions
It should be noted that connecting with other gamers comes with some challenges. Playing against strangers online means that you have no personal accountability for your interactions.
Conflicts between gamers are common, especially during heated game scenarios. Online bullying is, unfortunately, a possibility, and can arise due to misunderstandings, character hierarchies, or even pure frustration.
Protecting personal information online is paramount, and players need to be aware of the consequences of sharing their names or locations online. To prevent this, it is always best to game with an alias and not share identifiable information with other gamers.
Social Gaming Improves Gameplay
How can connecting with others improve the gaming experience? It is all about the social interactions. Playing with like-minded people can transform a gaming experience in many ways:
- Games are a great way to make friends and build long-term social relationships with others who share similar interests.
- Multiplayer games can be a fun challenge for those who usually enjoy single-player games. It can add a new dimension to gaming, exposing the player to new genres and strategies.
- In-game friendships can provide support. This is not just important for in-game challenges when a gamer is stuck on a level, but also in real life for those who are more isolated.
- Playing with the backing of a community can make a game much more engaging and less solitary. It results in a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
- Gamers can share strategies and tips with one another, which can improve gameplay and make tough levels easier to overcome. Many open-world games also have various side quests, and gamers can share where to activate these quests or any other hidden treasures or game secrets.
Gaming Communities
There are various types of gaming communities where players can go to seek out social interactions. This can help them feel seen, foster friendships, and result in a better gaming experience.
Types of gaming communities
Gaming communities can be categorized by the game genre or the hosting platform. Knowing which types of communities are available can help players find their people.
One of the most popular types of communities is casual gaming groups. These are often found on social media. These groups tend to focus on easier, fun games that are not highly competitive. These communities share screengrabs, jokes, or simply chat about their latest gaming session. The games they focus on are accessible and can be enjoyed by almost anybody.
Competitive gaming communities are completely different from casual groups. These communities focus on eSports and competitive skill-based games. Discussions focus on eSports tournaments and outcomes, strategies, and upcoming competitions. Players compete against one another, but also share tips and collaborate in team-based games
Genre-specific communities are also very popular. These groups bring together gamers who enjoy similar games, like racing, first-person shooters, or RPGs. These communities are often hosted on Discord, and players get together to share news, information on new games, and gameplay experiences.
There are also platform-specific communities where players who use the same type of gaming console get together. There are groups for PlayStation, Nintendo, PC gaming, or Xbox. These communities tend to discuss new releases and hardware updates.
Finally, there are the niche gaming communities. These specifically cater to indie games or dedicated players of independent games. These communities are close-knit and often include the game developers themselves. Players get to provide feedback and enjoy a more personal community not found in other game environments.
Online and offline communities
A distinction needs to be made between online and offline gaming communities as this shapes player experience. Each type of community offers advantages and disadvantages, and impacts how gamers interact with one another.
Online gaming communities can be found on many platforms, including forums, social media, and in-game chat systems. These communities foster connections between players from across the world. It provides instant communication and feedback, creating opportunities to collaborate in the games, develop strategies, and even develop long-term friendships.
Offline communities are different as they require in-person interactions. Gamers can meet up in real life at gaming centers, conventions, or LAN parties. These communities can turn single-player games into social events, which can make the game more engaging and also improve social skills.
Final Thoughts
Despite many video games being single-player, there are still big communities surrounding these titles. Multiplayer games are also very popular and allow gamers to connect with other like-minded people, share stories and tips, and feel less alone.
Connecting with other gamers improves the gaming experience as players get to learn new strategies, work collaboratively in a team, and even get to meet people in real life at conventions or competitions. It’s about more than just social connection, it’s about finding a tribe with common interests.
