Why Online Games Are the New Social Network
Online games connect players all over the world into a cohesive experience. Be it the online lobby of Final Fantasy XIV or the seamless Co-op experience in Helldivers 2, online gaming is increasingly showing social capabilities such as collaboration and community-building
In the days of LAN parties, gamers would put in the effort to connect their systems together to have a gaming experience with friends. It could be considered a bare-bones predecessor to social networking.
Years later, with the advent of online and voice chat features in multiplayer games and the increased accessibility of online forums such as Discord, gamers are connecting online with relative ease. This begs the question: Is online gaming becoming the new social network?
How Online Games Became the New Social Network
Shared experiences and tastes often help in building connections, which is often found in the landscape of gaming. As online games become more common, millions of people get to interact with like-minded people on gaming lobbies and online forums. Thus, online games foster community building, a key aspect contributing to gaming becoming “the new social network”.
Here is a list of factors that online games and iGames have incorporated to create a sense of community among players:
| Community-building features | Game examples | Benefits |
| Leaderboards | GTA: OnlineCS:GOLeague of Legends | Creates friendly rivalryShared achievementsMotivation to improve skills |
| Multiplayer game modes | Monster Hunter: WildsElden RingCall of Duty: Black Ops VI | Shared experiencesCombined achievementsBuilding bonds |
| Online and voice chats | Sea of ThievesFinal Fantasy XIVDeep Rock Galactic | Improved communicationSafe space to build connections |
| Social features | FortniteAmong UsMinecraft | Emotional engagementCommunity developmentEnhanced collaboration |
Table: Major community-building features in games
From Competition to Community
Multiplayer games thrive on either competition or collaboration. You often play online multiplayer games in teams with other players or against other players. To enhance this experience, many modern games have online and voice chat enabled.
Such systems lead to online multiplayer games, such as Fortnite or CoD, becoming major community hubs. Ally or enemy, you have the same favorite game, fostering interactions that can even lead to valuable friendships.
Many online games, such as Apex Legends, Destiny 2, or CS:GO, allow players to form clans that participate in online game modes together. Thus, online games facilitate communities and the creation of groups in the same way as social networking platforms create group chats.
These clans and guilds can lead to the fostering of long-term collaboration and partnerships, not only helping build in-game teamwork but also creating friendships beyond the gaming realm.
The Rise of iGaming Communities
Many online iGaming platforms, such as online poker, rummy, or fantasy sports apps, create spaces for the connection and engagement of players. These include leaderboards and built-in chat options in the platforms. Not only do online chats help the players interact with each other, but the leaderboards lead to friendly competitions and camaraderie between players.
These systems also allow the players to bond over achievements and foster friendly rivalries. These rivalries then become the motivating factors for players to improve their skills.
Moreover, many players of iGames online can also form groups outside the platform, such as groups on WhatsApp or Discord. These further lead to the players forming bonds outside of the rummy app and forming valuable relationships.
Cross-Border Connections
A key factor leading to online games becoming the new social media is how gaming creates connections beyond country borders. Games with online PvP or Co-op facilities often offer cross-country servers. Games like Rocket League, Among Us, and Valheim are common examples.
Some of these games even include built-in translator tools and emoji-based conversations, allowing the mitigation of communication challenges or language barriers. Allowing you to share experiences with people regardless of their language, location, or culture.
The same experience can be seen in online iGaming servers where you can participate in a game of rummy with people from different nations. Thus, the bonds you build are strengthened over a shared passion that cannot be contained by barriers, be it geographic, cultural, or language.
Games as Digital Third Places
Online games are not only taking the place of traditional social media, but they are increasingly taking the shape of the digital “third space” beyond work and home, or a place where people can socialize.
In online games, you can play in multiplayer sessions with your friends or through randomised online play. In such scenarios, most games allow communication between the players through chat boxes or voice chats.
In the case of iGaming platforms, many players can download to check out an app without knowing how to play rummy or other card games. In such cases, these apps can become a safe space for them to learn the ins and outs of the game by communicating with more experienced players on casual practice games.
Emotional Engagement
Something that an online gaming platform does better than conventional social media platforms is building connections through emotional engagement. While in social media platforms, you are usually prompted to start a conversation based on a topic that you and multiple other people are aware of, games actually create experiences that connect people emotionally.
In an example from a famous Co-op game, Helldivers 2, the earned team victory is sure to connect all members of the team due to a shared emotion. In fact, games such as Destiny 2 even have team emotes that can turn in-game team celebrations into reality.
Alternatively, in the case of iGames, emotional engagement is created through finally attaining the desired position on the leaderboard, which can often facilitate a friendly rivalry with another player, or even a friend, with shared mutual respect.
Maybe your friend was already an expert when you were learning how to play rummy, but now you’re just one rank below them on the leaderboard. This moment of achievement creates strong emotional engagement, fostering a deep connection between individuals.
Final Thoughts
Online games have not only become the new social media. In some sense, online games have transcended social media. Their dynamic social networking capabilities have led to an improved sense of community development, especially considering shared tastes and objectives.
They have allowed players to communicate and build relationships, while also providing them with a safe space to overcome the challenges they face in communication. It is more than just entertainment, it creates a sense of belonging.
Looking to Join an Online Gaming Community? A Few Starter Tips
It is not that challenging to become a part of an online gaming community. All you have to do is try out a notable and responsible platform and connect with players who share your tastes and interests in gaming. Just let yourself communicate freely, and do not hesitate to start a conversation. So, what are you waiting for? Build your virtual tribe today!
