Most modern day gamers don’t waste their lives on games, instead they embrace the community. Surely anything that brings individuals together, to build communities where people can be appreciated for who they really are can’t be as bad as the media makes it out to be. As a whole, the gaming community is united by one common interest – video games; and it’s this interest which makes us stronger than ever.

Back in the day’, where all we had were Nintendo 64’s, Playstation’s – online gaming was still a dream. But shortly after the release of both the PS1 and the N64 – that dream became a reality – with the appropriately named – Dreamcast. At the time of its release, the Dreamcast was the most revolutionary console the world had ever seen, which by far was way ahead of its time, (one reason, why many believe it ‘failed’), however, this brought console gamers into the world of online gaming.

Communities also stretch to include Video Game Conventions.

Online gaming is what the current generation of consoles is most famous for, behind most chartbusting games, is an awe inspiring multiplayer, in which you can you play against your closest friends, but you can also play against not only a few, – but hundreds of other players, all at the same time, with world shattering games like MAG, in which the player can game with 255 other players, as part of a giant team of 128. Though there may be a large number of players, this doesn’t always encourage the community to communicate (try saying that when your drunk!).

Other games, which rely mainly on teamwork, such as Left 4 Dead & Battlefield Bad Company, where winning the game can pretty much depend on communication & tactics, are a big hit with social gamers, (in particular Left 4 Dead 1 & 2), as chances are, you’ll more than often be paired up with a chatty, talkative who will be more than happy to discuss strategies. – Though this isn’t always the case; as you’ll no doubt encounter abusive players, who take pleasure out of ruining the game for others. But trash talking is a part of online gaming, and you will come across it – a lot. Best thing to do, is either ignore it – or become good at it, and outwit your adversary with a series of sharp, humorous taunts, which insult both their intelligence (what’s left of it anyway) and their pride.

But being social to your fellow gamers doesn’t end at online gaming – oh no; – in fact, ever since the dawn of time (well, since video games have been a part of popular culture anyway) – gaming conventions have been around. Not only do these events call for real social interaction; but they also allow gamers to express themselves, in more ways than you could possibly imagine – many even go to the extreme, and come dressed up as their favourite video game characters (this is commonly known as ‘cosplay’).

Video game conventions are a fantastic way of meeting similar minded people (though can more often than not, be rather costly), who share a love of gaming, and not only are video game conventions a great way to meet other gamers, there are also plenty of opportunities to meet those who have a vast knowledge of making games, or even those who make and develop games themselves. With a large array of video game celebrities, competitions and electrifying tournaments in which even laid-back gamers, with only a small amount of gaming experience can still partake in, and enjoy the ride.

Forums are both great resources, as well as a good place to meet similiar gamers.

As the gaming community grows (with over 60% of people in the UK who play some sort of video games) as do the events that follow. With every big game release, usually follows a big midnight launch, where many gather to buy the new game as the clock strikes midnight, and the stores are authorized to sell the new release. – And unlike most gaming conventions, it costs nothing to tag along (though of course the game isn’t free). Midnight launches are arguably a better way of meeting fellow gamers, as you can pretty much guarantee that everybody lining up is a fan of the game series that’s being released, or in general, a big fan of the genre.

For many years, the gaming community has been shunned by countless sources, which more often than not, show the gaming world in a negative light, in which video games are blamed for violent, anti-social behaviour, and where gamers are portrayed to be unhealthy ‘video game addicts’ who cannot control their excess gaming. I for one, oppose these views – and all views similar to them, because not only are most of them highly over exaggerated, but

But today, with hundreds of ways to chat with fellow gamers – be it over forums, social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook, or over Playstation Network & Xbox Live itself or at real life events – you will unquestionably find hundreds, if not thousands of avid gamers, who’ll happily welcome you as a fellow member of the gaming community. – A community, which I am certainly proud to be a part of.