Playing video games was once considered to be an antisocial hobby. If you told someone you were a gamer, it meant you spent most of your time sat in a room at home, alone, playing games against computer controlled opponents.
There were no social elements to the gaming experience but that has changed dramatically in recent years. The above description of gaming could not be further from the truth for those who are serious about gaming today and social gaming is huge business.
If you are new to the concept of social gaming and want to find out more, you are in the right place as we bring you our beginners guide to social gaming.
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What is Social Gaming?
The beauty of social gaming is the games do not have to be played only on a console, like video games of the past.
Social games can be played on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. As the name suggests, social gaming involves playing video games with other people and that means playing the games online. The rise of the internet and fast, secure connections means it is now possible to play games with or against other people, regardless of where they are based in the world.
Multiplayer games allow people to play against other players in a competitive environment or to play with other players to complete objectives in the game. Many social video games come with a chatroom or something similar within the game that allow players to communicate and make friends. Competitive games often feature players with headsets so they can talk to each other as the game progresses and pass on vital information.
FarmVille, Fortnite, Clash of Clans, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Call of Duty are all examples of popular social games.
How to Start Social Gaming
Social gaming does come with an upfront cost and if you want to get the most out of your social gaming experience, you will need a PC, laptop, or console. However, before you decide what type of device to buy for social gaming, you need to know what games you would like to play.
Twitch, a social streaming platform, is a good place to begin because you can follow other people as they play games and see which games you enjoy. There are several gaming categories from which to choose, including puzzle, simulation, arcade, and mobile. There are even social casino games available to play and they do not require real money to play. The casinos use virtual currency and come with a fun social element. Sweepstake-casinos.com is a great resource for players to look at the various social casinos available today and the different games that are on offer.
You can chat with players using streaming sites like Twitch and decide which games you want to play. Having chosen the games you like; you can buy your device based on those games. Once you have joined a group of gamers and found people who are interested in playing the same games as you, there are other groups you can join on platforms such as Discord.
Staying Safe
Unfortunately, toxic behavior does happen when social gaming but there has been an increased effort in recent years to combat the issue. You view our guide on online gaming safety here.
You should never use your real name when gaming online with other people you do not know. The best way to get started as a beginner is to play under a pseudonym and that is what most people do, even the most experienced social gamers. Do not rush into sharing too many details with a new gamer you have recently met when playing online.
Usually, you can quickly tell which person is going to be a long term gaming partner and which ones are going to be blocked. If there is anyone you feel uncomfortable with when social gaming, you can use the block feature to ensure they cannot contact you again. You should never give out your address or any financial information when social gaming, even to people you consider friends.
Social gaming is a lot of fun and there are many games to play and enjoy. It is easy to get started and you can begin by using your mobile phone before buying a PC or console.