Online games and interpersonal relationships: can they bring us closer together?

Play is not only for entertainment. Also the one taking place through technology, especially when it facilitates conversation and connection with people. Online games are able to help us break down communication barriers. They make it easier for us to participate in interpersonal relationships and communicate with loved ones at home or at work.

The fact is that games promote self-reflection. It is a complex process during which we gain deep insights into our own thought processes. In the case of existing dysfunctions, we gain distance from our own emotional sphere and find it easier to face our weaknesses later on. Conversation during social games (and there are more of these in the online world), engages an area of our brain called the medial prefrontal cortex. Regular conversation with others develops an attitude of openness. In this text, we will take a closer look at how online games can help us to build interpersonal bonds.

Games as a pretext for establishing relationships

Online games fill gaps in social resources. This is not only the case for people for whom daily, in-person social interactions are sometimes limited for various reasons. As is well known, shared interests bring people together. When the entertainment element is added to this, entirely new circumstances arise that create additional opportunities for new relationships.

A key aspect of online games that is responsible for strengthening interpersonal bonds is the social functions. We are referring, for example, to direct communication via chat with other players.

Playing online with friends and family opens us up to others and other points of view. By listening to others, we gain insight into ourselves. Even in seemingly conflicting situations, of which there is no shortage when completing various missions or tasks online, relationships with an opponent or partner are strengthened.

Breaking down geographical boundaries using the example of an online casino

One aspect of online games that is difficult to overestimate is their ability to break down geographical boundaries. Regardless of where individual players live, they can connect and form friendships in the virtual space.

Nowadays, people using an online casino such as Slottica PL are able to make friends with people from different countries without making long and, to say the least, expensive journeys. Long-distance communication at a live roulette, baccarat, blackjack or online poker table is now possible at virtually any gambling portal.

Online casinos are eliminating these barriers, while their operators strive to create platforms where individuals interact and bond through a shared passion for gaming.

All that is needed for this today is a stable Internet connection. The global network allows new friendships to be made and the excitement of winning to be shared. The lack of geographical barriers not only broadens players' horizons, but also fosters a sense of unity with the community. No matter where you are at the moment, you can meet and find common ground in poker, blackjack or Aviator.

New relationships make it possible, if only to exchange experiences and, of particular importance in the case of gambling, to learn from each other.

The role of "gamification"

Playing with others in a virtual space is often referred to by psychologists as "gamification". This type of activity gives people the opportunity to explore and learn about themselves and others.

According to researchers at the National Institute for Play, "play is as important to human development as sleep and nutrition. It strengthens the connections in our brains that are responsible for our ability to regulate emotions and solve problems. This is confirmed by empirical research. Participating in online games for as little as twenty minutes a day is believed to have a positive impact on our mood, sleep quality and leads to lower stress levels.

Friendships and empathy

Researchers agree that online games are able to catalyse friendships and positively influence the establishment of interpersonal relationships. Shared interests, the need to cooperate and to face various challenges together absolutely foster not only superficial but also deeper relationships in the virtual world.

Online games provide a space where people with similar interests and hobbies can face each other or cooperate. The link becomes the game. Moreover, online games break down geographical barriers, allowing people from different countries and cultures to interact and form friendships.

Shared gameplay and teamwork in online games foster various aspects:

• trust,
• communication skills,
• a sense of camaraderie among players.

Emotional bonds in online games are created through shared experiences, support and empathy. Players offer each other emotional support, celebrate victories together and console each other in case of setbacks.

Moreover, online gaming communities provide a safe haven where individuals find support and acceptance. The edifying nature of such virtual micro-worlds reinforces a sense of worth. Without this, it is difficult to imagine functioning normally in the real world.

A few words in conclusion

In conclusion, online games have a great capacity to strengthen friendships. Of course, we first reach out to them for purely entertainment purposes. However, it is good to know that they can also offer support in individual development or teach us to overcome various social barriers. The virtual world of games has become a powerful platform for developing lasting friendships. Increasingly, these go beyond the purely digital sphere.