One of the core aspects of MMOs is that you can meet many new people in them. Do you use this social side of MMOs to make acquaintances?
Have you ever met someone in an online match or in an MMORPG group with whom you instantly clicked? A stranger you had so much fun with that you might have added them to your friend list and messaged them again the next day?
In MMOs, we often play with people who live on the other side of the world and whom we will probably never see in real life. Nevertheless, this can lead to close friendships being formed during joint PvP rounds in Destiny or while raiding in WoW.
It’s not surprising either. If you’re already playing the same game, the chances are high that you share other hobbies and interests as well. It becomes easier to start a conversation, and you are more open and relaxed.
Suddenly, you’re messaging the person outside of the game and talking about personal concerns, or you even decide to meet this person in real life, like the guys who visited their dying friend.
I know such scenarios all too well by now because that’s how I’ve met some of my best friends.
My husband plays video games w/ a group of people he’s never met. Last week, one of them died. I’m overhearing them playing today in his honor; laughing, talking, reminiscing about their friend. Don’t ever tell me “online friends” aren’t real friends. Sending virtual hugs to all.
— Trixie the Pixie ?♀️??️? (@RnbwSprinkles) March 3, 2019
Here’s how it was for me: I really got started with Final Fantasy XI, before that, “MMO friendships” were a rather strange concept for me. My time in that MMORPG is now over 10 years ago, and yet just a month ago, I visited one of the friends I met there in Hamburg.
Final Fantasy XIV and Destiny have also brought me many new strong friendships. I regularly write, play, and meet up with my people from FFXIV. With a friend from England, whom I met in a random raid group in Destiny, we still send each other Christmas gifts every year.
Even though I rarely or never see these people, they are still my best friends. And I would have never met them without MMOs.
And how about you? Have you already met friends online with whom you now keep in touch permanently? Or are they just fleeting acquaintances with whom you get along well but aren’t really close friends? Do you even seek contact with strangers in MMOs? Share your experiences.
If you would like to find friends in MMOs but don’t know how, then we have a very serious guide for you on this.
