Online gaming communities have been around for over two decades. In that time, they’ve grown from small, tight-knit groups of friends to massive, international communities with millions of members. Despite their size and reach, there still needs to be more understanding of these communities and how they work. So I’ll tell you about different types of online gaming communities, their benefits, drawbacks, and some of the best gaming communities to join. So read till the end because this article is for a fantastic gamer like you to find the best gaming opportunities.
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The Different Types Of Online Gaming Communities
There are many different types of online gaming communities, having their unique community norms. Some popular online gaming communities include first-person shooter (FPS) communities, massively multiplayer online (MMO) communities, and mobile gaming communities.
1. FPS communities typically comprise gamers who enjoy playing first-person shooter games, such as Call of Duty and Halo. These communities are often very competitive; players often form teams to compete in online tournaments.
2. MMO communities typically comprise gamers who enjoy playing massively multiplayer online games, such as World of Warcraft and EVE Online. These communities often have their in-game economies and political systems, and players often spend much time socialising with each other.
3. Mobile gaming communities typically comprise gamers who enjoy playing mobile games, such as Candy Crush and Clash of Clans. These communities are often less competitive than other gaming communities, and players often cooperate to complete in-game objectives.
The Best Online Gaming Communities
There are plenty of great online gaming communities to join, whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking for like-minded people to play with or a new player just trying to find a perfect online home. Here are just a few of the best.
1. r/gaming
r/gaming is a subreddit on Reddit that is dedicated to gaming. Here, you will find all sorts of gamers from around the world who come together to discuss gaming news, share tips, and tricks, and have a good time. There are also a ton of different gaming communities that you can join within this subreddit, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you.
2. Steam Community
With over 125 million active users, the Steam Community is one of the most significant gaming communities in the world. In addition to being a digital storefront for PC games, Steam offers a vast selection of community features, including forums, groups, and user-created content.
3. GameFAQs
With over 12 million registered users, GameFAQs is one of the internet’s largest and most popular gaming communities. If you’re looking for help with a particular game or want to read and discuss gaming news and culture, GameFAQs is a great place to do it.
4. IGN Boards
IGN’s community forums are a great place to discuss gaming news and culture with other like-minded people. With over 3 million registered users, there’s always someone around to talk to, and with IGN’s extensive gaming industry coverage, you’re sure to find something to discuss.
5. NeoGAF
NeoGAF is one of the largest and most active online gaming communities, with over 1.5 million registered users. If you’re looking for an in-depth discussion of gaming news and culture or want to talk about your favourite games with other like-minded people, NeoGAF is a great place to be.
6. Discord
Discord is a voice and text chat app for gamers that lets you quickly find, join, and chat with friends. It’s free, secure, and works on your desktop and phone. Discord also has a rich ecosystem of bots and add-ons that lets you keep track of your game stats, set up raid alerts, and more. A bot will even play music for you while you game.
The Benefits Of Online Gaming Communities
The online gaming community has seen significant growth in recent years. That is mainly because online gaming provides players a unique and immersive experience that is impossible with traditional offline gaming. There are many benefits to being a part of an online gaming community. These benefits include:
1. Access to a broader range of games:
When you are part of an online gaming community, you can access a broader range of games than you would if you were offline. That is because online gaming communities often have private servers offering a greater variety of games.
2. Improved gaming experience:
One of the main benefits of online gaming communities is that they offer an improved gaming experience. You can interact with other players and get their tips and advice. Interacting with other gamers can help you to improve your gaming skills.
3. Social interaction:
One of the best things about online gaming communities is that they allow you to interact with other players. It is a great way to make new friends and meet people from all over the world.
4. Competitive gaming:
Many online gaming communities host competitive tournaments. These tournaments can be a great way to test your skills against other players.
The Drawbacks Of Online Gaming Communities
The online gaming community has grown exponentially in recent years. With the rise of online gaming platforms like Steam and Xbox Live, gamers have been able to connect from all over the world. However, as with any online community, a few things could be improved in the online gaming community.
1. Cyberbullying
One of the biggest dangers of online gaming communities is the potential for cyberbullying. Unfortunately, some people use these communities to harass and bully others. Cyberbullying can be exceedingly hurtful and can make the gaming experience very unpleasant. If you are being forced, it is essential to report it to the community moderators so they can take action.
2. Time-Consuming
You must be aware of the time you spend in online gaming communities. Just like with anything else in life, it is possible to get too involved and become addicted. If you find that you are spending more time gaming than you are with your friends and family, it is vital to take a step back and reassess your priorities.
3. Cost
Another drawback to the online gaming community is the cost of games. While many free-to-play games are available, most popular games require a monthly subscription or purchase of in-game items. These subscriptions can be expensive, especially for gamers who want to play many different games.
Despite the drawbacks, online gaming communities can be a great way to connect with other gamers worldwide. And you must remain aware of the potential dangers and take steps to avoid them.
Conclusion
As more people enter the gaming niche, the demand for online gaming communities has increased to an advanced level. These communities help you meet and communicate with like-minded people while you play games or stream games on platforms like Discord and Twitch. But these gaming communities have benefits and drawbacks, so you must consider all the consequences before joining one. I have mentioned some of the best online gaming communities you can enter to meet other outstanding gamers. Do check them out, and I wish you a happy gaming session.