One of the biggest misconceptions is that video gamers epitomize the meaning of “lone wolf”. Stereotypes for video gamers often include anti-social and nerdy. However, if you look around, mostly everybody you know has played some type of video game and enjoys it. Ranging from Pac Man, to the occasional cell phone app, video games are present in our everyday lives and is played by people who we would never consider to be “antisocial” or a lone wolf.
Tackling the lone wolf stereotype, statistics show that seventy percent of gamers play with their friends who are in the same room, and only about 20 percent play alone. However, gamers that play alone are not necessarily playing alone if no one is physically in the room with them. With online gameplay, gamers can connect and play with anyone in the world. Many multiplayer games such as Team Fortress 2 involve cooperation with other online players in order to win. These games encourage players to make the most of their individual skills to contribute to the team. According to a survey by Joan Ganz Cooney Center, teachers report that their students become better collaborators after using digital games in the classroom.
As mentioned, in many of these games, players work together in teams to achieve goals, compete against other players or both. Their teamwork abilities are put to the test, and they must hone their communication and interpersonal skills in order to progress. These pro-social behaviors are critical for healthy social development — children with positive social skills are more likely to have high self-esteem, good peer relationships and achieve in school. They are also more likely to have successful marriages and careers. Therefore, by transitive property, did we just conclude that gamers will have more successful marriages and careers (two anti-lone wolf settings) than non gamers?
Lastly, video games make for great events for a gathering of friends. Many friend groups are based around the love of a certain video game. My core friend group in high school, named the “2K crew” were formed based on our love of the NBA 2K series. Tournaments and competitions were held frequently, leading to sleepovers and fun talks at lunch time. Thus, do not be so harsh next time you are judging a gamer. Just because he has different hobbies than you does not mean he is not as “popular” as you are.
