Games Bring People Together
Playing games is something we’ve done for hundreds of years. They’ve evolved so much we’ve even put them into genres and categories. But with the invention of video games, the stigma around people who play these games has become that they are anti-social or socially awkward. But what most people don’t know is that gaming has actually brought people together and formed communities. Despite the stigma, games bring people together and has a positive effect on the brain. Especially with board games and interactive games, genres that allow for IRL (in-real-life) games and meetups. In Fort Collins, board gaming and interactive groups are a popular social function. So much so that the groups have over a thousand members.
“…studies have shown games can also be the catalyst for friends to gather in person: roughly 70 percent of all players play with friends at least some of the time” (mentalfloss.com).
While this article mainly is talking about video games, the same applies to board gamers. Even though many board games can now be played online, people still prefer to meet up and play the classic cardboard. People that play board games on a regular basis tend to be video gamers, as well. The act of playing a game is what’s healthy in adults today. Whether that be online, or in person, it’s proven to build social skills, treat depression, and have positive effects on cognition. They all have their ways of bringing people closer.
“I think it’s just so accessible and people from really any walk of life have this thing in common in games that drives them together…The idea of let’s get rid of the ‘stranger’ element and all enjoy this together. It’s really cool to see how much its grown and continues to thrive”
says Pokemon GO Fort Collins Co-Creator, Josh Hales. Miguel Molina, Creator of the group, Board Games and Brews, also believes
“gaming is an easy way bring people together and a great way for people to get out of their shell and meet new people. There’s a lot of transplants in Fort Collins who just wanna go out and make new friends and a lot of people just need a simple activity or a reason to go out…Board gaming is the perfect because it is a social activity and can quickly be set up in cool places…I like that people look forward to it each week and when new people become regulars and then you start to see new social circles and friendships start to form.”
The same can be said for video games, which can keep people in touch when they live in different areas. Sean Sullivan, a CSU Forestry student from California says
“If I didn’t play video games, I probably wouldn’t talk to my friends [from home], as much. When we play video games, we all talk to each other like on a phone call and we have more conversations than you would have if you were in person, but we’re far away. If we didn’t have that opportunity, we probably wouldn’t be as close as we are now.”
There are others who think differently. Many studies have been done to prove the negative aspects of gaming, too. According to a Best Life listicle by Caitlin Flynn, many video games can cause health issues
“The average amount of time people tend to spend gaming per week is rapidly increasing: According to Limelight Networks’ The State of Online Gaming 2019 report, adult gamers worldwide are playing an average of seven hours and seven minutes of video games each week, which is a 20 percent increase compared to 2018. Sure, it might seem like a harmless escape, but if you’re spending that much time gaming, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. From vision problems to wrist injuries…” (bestlifeonline.com).
Flynn also mentions that many gamers do not wash their controllers or equipment, which can easily lead to spreading of bacteria. This can apply to board gamers, as well, especially those in groups, where germs can spread just as easily. And many parents worry how video games, specifically, affect childhood development. Along with complex rules, trash-talking and trolling (players harassing or provoking other players for fun/no good reason), Andrew M.I. Lee, JD says that
“most video game developers encourage a competitive scene as a business strategy to keep a game popular. This can be tough for kids with impulsivity and self-regulation issues. If they’re struggling in the game, they may become moody and emotional” (understood.org).
In conclusion, there’s a lot to be said about the good and bad of gaming. Overall, games are something that bring together people with similar interests, and is proven to have positive effects on the brain, regardless of what previous studies or opinions have said. Whether it’s interactive games, video games, or board games that we all know and love, gaming is just as effective for getting people together, as anything else. Of course, it’s important to be aware of the negative aspects, but it seems there are actions that can be taken to prevent these side effects. Gaming is a great activity that allows people from all walks of life to meet up, have fun, and catch some Pokémon or two.
