Gaming is a popular pastime that millions of people in the world get involved in because it offers an escape to another dimension. You have an opportunity to work your way to the top and meet a wide range of fictional characters. However, while you experience thrills and excitement when playing a game, it can negatively impact your social connections and relationships in real life.

Many people who know someone who games too much, whether on an online casino or a console, have seen some downfalls in communication and closeness. However, that doesn't mean all people who play games have negative social connections. Sometimes it can bring people together. That’s why we will explore the overall effect of gaming, both positive and negative.

Destruction of relationships

While a little bit of gaming every now and again doesn’t hurt anybody, if it becomes your entire life, you will start to see the downfall of some of your closest relationships. For example, if you avoid spending time with your loved ones because you have a gaming tournament you want to play in, or you need to check the League of Legends odds, they aren't going to be impressed.

In a worst-case scenario, your partner may walk away and leave you because they no longer receive what they want from you. Unfortunately, this is something that happens quite often, and then you're left alone with only your games to rely on. Gaming may also affect friendships and relationships with other family members, especially if you begin to lie about the amount of time, you spend gaming or if you are spending all your money on your gaming addiction.

A decline in mental health

Researchers have found a strong correlation between gaming and social anxiety and depression. This makes it harder to maintain relationships or even start new ones. Most of the time, avid gamers will stay in the house and avoid any social events. When you aren’t around people as much, you may start to fall into a depression that will impact your overall quality of life.

Regarding social anxiety, gaming acts to hide away from the real world. The more people use gaming as a crutch when they suffer from social anxiety, the more it is reinforced. When you suffer from things like anxiety and depression, you need to face them head-on to overcome them. However, gaming acts as a barrier to doing this, and the more you are gaming, the less likely you’ll be able to deal with your troubles.

Toxic behavior

Gaming can actually affect your personality and change the way you behave. Since many games have a violent nature, many people pick up traits from this and tend to become more toxic online or in real life. This can make it incredibly difficult to partake in any human conversation or maintain relationships. What you say can become hateful, and you may even start harassing people when they disagree with you.

Since gaming is supposed to be a hobby and not something that alters how you think and act, that’s when you know it has become a problem. Unfortunately, many people will turn to the dark side of gaming culture and actually start bullying the people on the other side of the screen. This can lead to a decline in the other person’s mental health and keep the negative cycle going.

Conversation starter

So, we’ve gone over the negative impacts of gaming on social connections and relationships, but now let’s look at the positive ones. One of the best things about gaming is that it is a great conversation starter, especially if you meet someone new. It gives you something to talk about compared to having no hobbies. For example, if you’re on a date and someone asks about your interests, you can bring up gaming.

It is a great icebreaker when you’re in awkward silence too. The other person doesn’t necessarily need to be a gamer themselves. Still, since you know so much about the topic and are passionate about it, you know that you can keep the conversation going yourself without it cutting short again.

Connects groups of people

Gaming is a hobby that many people enjoy, which makes it an excellent way for you to connect with others just like you. When you’re passionate about something, it can be hard to try to find someone to talk to about it. That’s why it is great that many areas have set up gaming clubs and groups where you can meet up and talk about the topic.

Similarly, there are many social media apps, such as Discord, where you can talk to people with the same ideas and views as you. You may even find some people who can jump on a game with you.