For many people growing up in the videogame era, the stigma behind gaming was that it was a solitary hobby. You sit in front of the TV or monitor and play games ignoring the outside world, a hermit. While this was certainly not true many austere people held this opinion as well as the opinion that videogames were just for kids.
But in today’s world, videogames are more popular than ever. With services like Xbox Live connecting millions of people to play and chat. It’s as social as you can get without being in the same room with other people. Children of all ages love videogames and the experiences and interactions that one can have while sitting in the comfort of their living room…socializing.
My experience with socializing about videogames came before a service like Xbox Live was even introduced, videogame message boards. TeamXbox became a home for many people interested in sharing information about the latest happenings with the Xbox platform, but it didn’t stop at videogames. Other areas of the forums garnered much of the members time, sharing life stories, arguing about current events, politics, religion, etc…
The forums soon became a social arena in which to sound off not only about Xbox, but the world. This all happening before the Myspaces and Facebooks brought people together to chat and share their daily diatribes. The fact was videogames and the Xbox platform were the reason for people to congregate at TeamXbox and share their views. The Xbox was the glue that brought people to the site. Social networking was what occurred when they were there. Sure, much of the socialization was left to online only interactions. But many people on the forums have met in person for events and just to get together.
In 2010, the members of TeamXbox are planning a get together in Las Vegas to celebrate with many of the people they have gotten to know online… in person. By using a message board to chat about videogames and eventually, every topic under the sun and moon. The members and staff at TeamXbox have made a bond that defies distance and interface. It’s a connection only the Internet and today’s technology could have brought us. Social networking is here and it even stems from a solitary hobby, videogaming. Who could have imagined?
Videogames and social networking can also involve helping people as well. Sites like Gamers Outreach Foundation are doing their part to spread the word that videogames can help improve the lives of those who are going through tough times. It’s about reaching out and taking an active role. When you help someone to relieve stress and enjoy a part of their day, that takes socialization to a positive level. One that I certainly admire.
And the future looks more promising for socialization and videogames online. With Xbox Live expanding into many more millions of users homes. And the Xbox platform broadening it’s content to a larger demographic. The time is here for social networking to take a huge role in the time people spend while enjoying entertainment. Xbox.com, the official website for the Xbox platform has changed over the years and is looking into the future. We can clearly see opportunities for expanded features that include more social networking cues and it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if this isn’t forthcoming very soon. The future of videogames includes social networking, are you ready?
In today’s Chicago Tribune’s Digital Life Column, Columnist Walin Wong wrote an article featuring me on the topic of Social Networking. Please, feel free to share your thoughts on this topic by leaving a comment.
March 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
People still see games as a solitary past time but that will soon be broken down as more and more people are exposed to games and become more knowledgeable. Xbox Live has introduced me to some really great people as well as Gamertag Radio’s (gaming/hip-hop podcast) forums. Recently I flew down to Miami, FL to attend GTR’s Community Vibes IV, there annual event celebrating their anniversary. People I knew from the forums and XBL flew in from all across the country to finally meet in-person. It was so great to finally meet the people I party with almost on a daily basis. I highly recommend attending such events to anyone with the chance; it’ll be an experience you’ll never forget.
March 19th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
LtblueTAIWAN, I agree wholeheartedly.
Godfree and the gamertagradio crew have really worked hard to make their community come together in many ways. From gaming online, contests and the annual Community Vibes event. it’s great to see the stereotypes being proven false. The future of gaming is in community and socializing. Thanks for your comment!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:11 am
The friendships I’ve built through Xbox Live have certainly made an impact on my life. One person has helped me write up a resume. Another one I plan on meeting sometime this year. To some people, it sounds ridiculous building friendships with someone you never met, but these are real people you are talking to. I can’t tell you how many meaningful and informative conversations I’ve had over games of Uno and Gears of War. Politics, sex, alcohol, you name it. Great service for many reasons.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:14 am
random, eh? I like my chances….
March 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Map pack what? I’m down!
March 20th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Great blog. Social networking has definitely defined this generation. I look forward to socializing with you while blasting you in the new call of duty maps!
Teamxbox tag: audiophile897
March 20th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Very interesting article. My Teamxbox name is bombfirst885 as well.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Good article.
I know some Social Networking for gamers and its pretty cool. Sites like Meet a gamer and GamerNook. If you havnt heard of them, then you should check them out. But I think it is great what TXB is doing in having a big get together in Las Vegas. What a great oppurtunity for the community of TXB and other gamers.
I look forward in hearing more about this.
Thanks for the article again
March 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Great Article! Teamxbox Name: Hellu
March 20th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I agree with your points addressed about social networking defining our generation. I was actually thinking about this, this morning about Facebook connecting people, for instance i have some people ive never spoke to in life but there considred friends!
Good article.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Interesting article.
Anything nowadays where you can keep in touch with your friends is an amazing thing. Whether it be with a forum or through xbox live many people cant ask for more!
I had a friend who was in an accident where he hasnt been able to walk for almost 4 months. Since he cant hangout with his friends unless they go to his house, xbox live has made it easy for him to keep in touch with everyone else.
Social networking is a gift. Just my 2 cents though.
Thanks for the oppurtunity!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:35 am
>.>
<.<
Map pack?
TXB Name – Jorox
PS. Nice read as well
March 20th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Social networking has become an integral part of gaming. I wouldn’t be as into it as I am without the folks over at txb. Great article.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Great article. Agree with it wholeheartedly.
March 20th, 2009 at 8:56 am
txb name Slimer
I’m assuming you won’t take the time to read all of these…well…
UNLESS THIS CATCHES YOUR ATTENTION!!! HEY, I’M OVER HERE!!!!
map pack code please!
thanks a bunch, frriiieeeennnnddddddd.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I network and interact now with a good portion of my friends list. I’ve come to know many of them by first name, so I can see that social networking becoming a larger aspect as XBL grows…
March 20th, 2009 at 9:27 am
XBL allows me to keep in touch with my friends and family across the country, even across the world. Video games have definitely evolved into a community/social event thanks to services like XBL or PSN.
TXB – tearsum
March 20th, 2009 at 9:35 am
great read ace! i actually have a couple of buddies over my xbox that i have gotten together with to hang and have a couple of brews.
TXB name:xavier0955
March 20th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Great article!
TXB name: PKIDelirium
March 20th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Great Article ,
TXB: Legend1010
March 20th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Great Read.
TXB: RazielSlipknot
March 20th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Great article, cool site guys!
A map pack would be cool, seeing as it’s my BDAY and all! *wink*
March 20th, 2009 at 10:33 am
good read….
TXB: unreal596
March 20th, 2009 at 10:38 am
TXB name: IMaPREPOSTEROUS
I actually play video games largely to socialize. I buy the games my friends buy, and its hard for me to justify buying a single-player game anymore. One of my friends recently cancelled his wireless plan, and I find it funny that the easiest way to contact him is via Xbox LIVE.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
TXB : heyhybrid
This is an interesting article, because it points out something that most of us didn’t really notice. Some because of that erroneous past idea that in order to truly socialize you have to go outside, mostly thanks to the stereotype that haunted gaming since its early beginnings – that mostly outcasts and anti-social people were the ones who played video games the most. While it’s quite a harsh statement, it’s hard for people to think otherwise when there are those who do stay home on a friday/saturday night and prefer to sit in front of the tv playing video games instead of becoming part of a presential social activity.
But it’s the lack of knowledge and the amount of ignorance, that makes one think like that – specially with today’s technology era and new ways of interacting. Computers used to be related to geeks and nerds when they first came out, and nowadays due to the necessity of social networking/interacting (due to it’s popularity amongst society), you see the most unlikely of folks trying figure out how to work them in order to stay current. Why have social networks become so popular? Due to the fact that they broke a barrier, the one that implied that social interactions would always take place behind a monitor and would go no further than that.
Nowadays, sites like eharmony.com, and even the simpler services like messengers, are opening doors for millions of people to interact, establish friendships and even find that significant other – this has become the modern way of socializing. Now it’s the turn for video games to break out of that shell, and be seen as a whole new way of socializing. Gamers have been doing it for quite some time, but now it’s being noticed and seen by the mainstream as a fun way of meeting people and having as good a time as you would have going out.
Gaming has the edge over those other social networks due to the fact that it’s a really unique way of meeting people. The circumstances make it one of the best ways of socializing, because having fun sets a good mood to establish friendships/relationships. Not only that, but the service itself lets you interact with millions of people from different part of the globes – and just like one artist could meet another one and decide to make a band, other people with different interest could get together, share ideas and start something. All possible because of this modern way of interacting and socializing.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
TXB Name : JPost
Xbox Live: JPost
My life on the internet is more of a hermit than in real life. I get online to talk to nobody, don’t even put on my headset!
March 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
opps txb name:kill4less
March 20th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
DSmalls84(Txb name
March 20th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Swwwwwweeetttt..
Teamxbox name is.. BeefWagonChooChoo
March 20th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Thanks to all that visited to the site to win the code and congrats to Slimer.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.