Social Gaming: The Solution to the Modern Loneliness Epidemic
Social Gaming: The Solution to the Modern Loneliness Epidemic
Online gaming provides a platform for human connection when it's needed most.
Americans are lonelier than ever – and social video games provide much needed relief. The average American spent only 10 hours a week with friends in 2021 compared to 15 a decade prior. Younger generations are turning to video games over traditional social media platforms to fill this social void.
The Rise of Social Gaming
We see social gaming as one key way to tackle the modern loneliness problem. The user growth of this industry speaks for itself:
On Twitch, the game streaming platform with over 30 million daily active users, “Just Chatting” is consistently a top channel despite not focusing on any actual gameplay.
In November 2022, Roblox – a top social game among kids and teens – reported daily active user growth of 24% compared to the previous year.
Fortnite grew to 400 million users in 2021 up from 350 million in 2020, and is projected to continue that pace this year.
Epic Games is doubling down here on user-generated content (UGC) – they are working on a Fortnite game editor that allows creators to monetize their work to be released in January 2023.
Games Must Be Fun First
Gamers, especially younger generations, crave a casual social experience, not a cut throat competition. There will always be a niche for difficult-to-master games that reward countless hours spent training, but true network effects are built on a sense of community, not competition.
It’s no mystery why social games like Roblox and Fortnite continue to lap the competition – they offer an antidote to an increasingly isolated world. For brands and publishers, the lesson is clear – to curb the loneliness trend, digital entertainment needs to become more socially capable.
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📰 In Other News
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