I started playing video games in my early teen years. Back then, not everybody in our group of friends had a personal computer to play video games on.
We would take turns and gather at each other’s houses every weekend to play our favorite games. We were 6 teenagers united by a common hobby: playing video games.
Although we would spend many hours on end in front of a computer screen, playing games together also helped us build a sense of brotherhood.
Everybody was very supportive. We encouraged each other when one of us couldn’t get to the next level on the first try.
That’s one of the things I miss nowadays. Gaming communities are very different from the one I grew up in.
Most of them are toxic.
It’s all about bashing new players for their lack of experience. Veterans often berate, belittle, and even bully, and threaten other players.
According to a study conducted by games company Unity, two-thirds of gamers have experienced toxic behavior while playing online multiplayer games at some point.
Unfortunately, hate raids are pretty common on game forums, and game streaming platforms. People are often mean and disrespectful for no particular reason.
So, is there an alternative?
What are the friendliest gaming communities in the world?
The Sims franchise, Stardew Valley, Farming Simulator, Animal Crossing, Terraria, Minecraft, No Man’s Sky, and Final Fantasy XIV have one of the nicest and friendliest gaming communities in the world.
Simulation games and games that aren’t multiplayer-focused typically have friendly and supporting communities. On the other hand, online multiplayer games tend to have very toxic communities.
Games encouraging competition and taking everyone else out to be the last man standing, especially battle royale games, generally have toxic communities full of bossy and rude players.
The Sims franchise has the friendliest community
Based on my personal experience, The Sims franchise has the friendliest community overall. Experienced players are always ready to help others out with detailed tips.
Nobody looks down on you. Nobody will berate you for asking a question that has been answered elsewhere.
There’s also excellent mod support by the community.
That’s one of the reasons why I shifted away from online multiplayer games and dived deeper into simulation games.
At the end of the day, video games are supposed to be fun. Unfortunately, toxic communities can turn your daily gaming session into a stressful experience.
The best way to deal with toxic fellow players is to treat them with kindness. You know what they say: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
What are the friendliest gaming communities you’ve been a part of? Share your thoughts in the comments below.