Many people see gamers as solitary individuals playing a game alone in a dark room in front of a glowing screen. And sometimes this image may have some merit to it. Gamers don’t always need another player in order to enjoy their pastime.

However, for many other people, video games are wonderful tools that can be used to connect with other people. This was the case during the pandemic when millions of people were in lockdown.

And it will be an important lesson if we were to find ourselves disconnected ever again.

The following will help you find out more about how video games help us connect.

Gaming is an Equalizer – When it comes to gaming, it doesn’t matter what color you are, what size you are, or your size. All that matters is how you play when the controller is in your hands. If you’re good, you’re good.

Gaming has the effect of leveling the playing field despite all your identifying characteristics. It allows your play to do the talking. Even if you can’t play at the highest level, you are able to bond with gamers of similar playing levels.

Gaming unites players with similar interests – Just like hobbies, or sports, gaming can bring players together who are all interested in a particular thing – in this case, one game or a genre of games.

Playing with people who enjoy the same games as you can lead you to discover even more common interests. In this way, connections between people are multiplied and strengthened.

Gamers support each other – Sometimes it’s not all about leveling up. Gamers are human as well and they often do care about their fellow gamers outside of the game. When gaming, many take the opportunity to unload and talk about their issues with fellow gamers.

The presence of the game makes this conversation far easier. This unburdening can lead to gamers creating a support system for each other as they try to talk each other through their problems.

Gamers unite from across the globe – Because of tools such as Discord, gamers are able to communicate with each other from anywhere in the world.

And so, one of the best aspects of gaming is that it does not require gamers to be situated in close proximity for this to happen. They can connect despite these hurdles. This makes gaming perhaps one of the best ways to bring people together.

It can even help maintain and strengthen the bonds between friends after one of them has moved away.

Gaming makes teamwork normal – One issue that often arises during group work is how difficult it is to communicate and work together. However, gaming tends to remove many of the barriers associated with teamwork, making it a fun and goal-oriented activity.

It helps players to work through interpersonal issues as they set their focus on strategizing and planning. They discover ways to break down the walls that exist between people.

These are skills that can be translated into real life and be put to use at work, school, or at home.

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Written by Hemant Kumar Gupta