Socializing Over Videogames

During quarantine, many people saw themselves playing more video games, with overall industry sales approaching 1.6 billion dollars just during March of last year according to the Washington Post. They used it as a way to socialize with their friends they couldn’t see in person. Most onlookers get confused by how ‘gamers’ can find meaning in staring at screens especially while talking to other people. However, in reality, these games can actually serve as meaningful social communication and, according to research, can still teach people similar skills to real-life interactions. But the scope of multiplayer games is incredibly large; from playing with school friends at home to playing with others in person, to playing with people you’ve never met before, there are a lot of aspects of video game socialization that help paint a full picture of why it might be more than just a new way of wasting time, especially for adolescents.

In essence, video games are created as forms of art and media just like movies or songs, but the main difference comes in their interactive and often social elements. They can have stories, themes, and visuals that have powerful effects on people with an even larger sense of immersion and realism than a book or movie could provide. The accessibility of playing video games is also a massive factor in their art form and enjoyment. Anyone can install a free game or buy one and find hundreds of hours of fun. As such, video games can potentially help people learn skills and topics they didn’t know or even want to know about before. Many people find lifelong passions for subjects like history or science in video games. For example, Phillip Brown, a student in Virginia pursuing a career in the aerospace industry, said that space simulators like Space Flight Simulator and SimpleRockets 2 taught him “basic orbital mechanics” and “problem-solving skills and iteration when something off-nominal happens.” Max Jansen also “learned more about the different struggles of space companies, getting funding and using different rocket parts effectively. I had to use new ideas and creative solutions to problems I would encounter” while playing a similar physics simulator, Kerbal Space Program. Meanwhile, games like War Thunder, a vehicular battle simulator, have helped Macoy Storem become “passionate about both the history and technology behind many historical conflicts leading [him] to research and learn about these aspects on [his] own time.” Beyond educational skills, games can help strengthen social skills as well. Playing with others online helped Joey Lieskovan learn “team communication and team play.” Bonding over the hobby also helped him meet friends and gain social skills at school.

Even at school, video games can help students socialize and bond. For example, Mikko Anderson felt like even the simple mobile game, Clash Royale, helped him meet and talk to a lot of people outside his typical friend group and grade. Groups of students will often discuss strategies and socialize on the topic of the game but can quickly find themselves becoming good friends. Online multiplayer games can help people bond while at home, as they can spend time with each other even when they don’t have the time or ability to meet in person. This is especially valuable as people live farther away and find themselves busier, so these valuable moments can become especially important. “Being able to easily meet with all my friends when we are usually too busy or limited to meet in person altogether has helped me balance my social life with school work, activities, and commitments,” Brandt Barker commented.

Outside of school life, some people find comfort in online friends, which is often an even more controversial topic. They often find online friends through video games, and anyone can attest to it providing meaningful and friendly interactions. While undoubtedly not the exact same as in-person interactions, the University of California in Irvine finds that video games fulfill much the same purpose as regular friendships and utilize the same core qualities needed for in-person interaction. Online friendships can provide an outlet for one’s hobbies, especially in a small school like Rowland Hall. They can even be anchors in tough times. For example, when changing schools, online friends can help provide friendship during the transition. They can also act as a support when problems arise. As such, interactions with online friends through video games can help strengthen people’s social skills and lives.

In conclusion, while video games may seem like meaningless button mashing and staring, the widespread hobby is becoming a new way of socialization as well. They help people learn social skills and maintain bonds with people at their school, in the classroom, and out, while also helping people in completely different ways through online friends. In an age of information and constantly changing technology, socializing with people has become increasingly important, and, for a lot of students and people, video games can become their primary avenue to maintain and create friendships.