Shared play represents a form of entertainment specific to modern society, which at the same time contributes to creating bonds between people and to the emergence of online communities. Communities created and developed around games have become increasingly numerous today, also appearing in the iGaming sector, among those who play online slots at Casino Verde, a platform accessible to Romanian players, offering them attractive rewards.
The most representative examples of communities created around shared play are those in the online environment, based on multiplayer games. For example, esports games such as Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, or PUBG gather over 8 million players daily on dedicated platforms such as Steam. Playing in individual mode is no longer popular, as it was in the 1990s, because modern players seek team interaction, and online shared-play gaming communities offer them the most convenient way to have fun together with other players.
What are the specific elements of communities based on shared play?
The success of communities based on shared play is due to the following defining elements:
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Common goals and interests – playing together with other participants involves completing shared missions, which require collaboration as well as common goals and interests that lead to unity among members;
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Use of a specific language – using a specific communication system helps create a sense of belonging;
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Sharing common experiences – activities within the community are based on varied perspectives but involve mutual integration among members and the sharing of common experiences;
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Member feedback – the success of shared-play communities is also due to the exchange of feedback among members in order to resolve potential conflicts or to find solutions together;
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Creating systems for member recognition – online communities use their own identification elements that allow members to be recognized and differentiated from other online communities participating in the same type of shared play.
Online shared-play communities are similar to cross-play systems, such as those based on the Cloud, in which players, although using devices with different operating systems and technical characteristics, play the same game at the same time.
How are bonds between people created through shared play?
Creating connections between people through shared play is based on the following characteristics:
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Creating a common identity by sharing the same goals within the game and by expanding perspectives following discussions on the community forum;
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Creating discussion topics starting from the game and extending them to discussions about everyday subjects;
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Assigning clear roles to each category of members within the game contributes to improving teamwork and developing mutual respect;
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Teamwork within the game and sharing experiences within the community help in understanding the perspectives and viewpoints of other community members;
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The emergence of sympathies within the community represents the starting point in developing a sense of belonging to the community.
Shared play develops communication between people, improves levels of empathy, and helps develop collaboration skills, as well as the emergence and consolidation of other benefits for community members.
What are the effects of shared play for members of online communities?
Shared games contribute to creating pleasant memories, releasing oxytocin and dopamine, and help improve communication and teamwork. Among the benefits offered by shared play with others are also the following advantages:
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Sense of belonging – shared activities create a sense of identity and inclusion among community members, which reduces feelings of isolation;
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Strengthening cognitive abilities – problem-solving skills, critical analysis, and creativity are improved;
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Improving cooperation – teamwork within the game teaches people what they need to do and what their responsibilities are, while also helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses;
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Strengthening well-being – strong relationships based on real connections support emotional health and contribute to happiness among community members;
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Creating bonds between people with different perspectives and mindsets – within online communities developed around games, different people find common points of connection, based on which they create relationships that also transfer into the real world.
Shared play also helps community members increase their level of resilience. Interaction with others is encouraged, creating new opportunities for understanding both oneself and other people.
Is shared play an advantageous form of entertainment for people?
Shared play represents a form of entertainment both through what it offers players and through the community that forms around it. Players create and strengthen bonds with each other, a community develops in multiple directions, and a place emerges that many players perceive as a safe and familiar space over the long term.