Gaming's Social Side: Why Leaving the House Matters
A writer's experience at a gaming event highlights the importance of social play in the gaming community.
Gaming, as a primary hobby, can be incredibly isolating. However, this isolation can be broken when gamers come together in the real world. A recent experience at a gaming event, Meltdown Esports Bar in London, showcased the benefits of social play in the gaming community.
Attending in-person gaming events, such as Gamescom or Tennocon, can be an exhilarating experience. The energy of being side-by-side with other people with similar interests is hard to replicate online. However, it's not necessary to attend large-scale events to experience the social joys of gaming. Smaller hangouts, like Meltdown Esports Bar, can provide a more intimate and enjoyable experience.
The writer's experience at Meltdown Esports Bar was a testament to the power of social play. The bar hosted a launch event for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, where players could play the game and socialize with others. The writer, who was not particularly good at the game, found that the experience was not about winning or losing, but about laughing and having fun with others.
The writer notes that social play is not limited to fighting games. Any game can be enjoyed more when played with others. LAN events, watching esports at a pub, or playing with friends at home can all provide a more meaningful experience than playing alone.
The benefits of social play in gaming are numerous. Losses don't hurt as much when played with others, and wins are moments to celebrate together. Areas of improvement are easier to identify, and the stress of competitive play is stripped away.
The cost of social play, such as train fare and gaming-themed novelty cocktails, may seem like a barrier to entry. However, the writer finds it to be a cost worth paying every time.
In conclusion, social play is a fundamentally important human experience that can be applied to gaming. It's not limited to the digital realm and can be enjoyed in various settings. By stepping away from online platforms and going outside, gamers can experience games for what they truly are: fun.
## The Benefits of Social Play
Social play in gaming offers numerous benefits, including:
* Losses don't hurt as much when played with others * Wins are moments to celebrate together * Areas of improvement are easier to identify * The stress of competitive play is stripped away
## Getting Involved
Getting involved in social play in gaming is easier than you think. Here are a few ways to get started:
* Attend in-person gaming events, such as Gamescom or Tennocon * Visit smaller hangouts, like Meltdown Esports Bar * Join a LAN event or watch esports at a pub * Play with friends at home or online
## Conclusion
Social play is a fundamentally important human experience that can be applied to gaming. By stepping away from online platforms and going outside, gamers can experience games for what they truly are: fun.
