ยูฟ่า777 has long been a source of criticism, ranging from bullying and isolation to credit card fraud and mental-health strains. While many of these concerns are valid, what is less often emphasized is the ability for gamers to connect and form communities through gaming. Whether they play alone on their commute or in their living room, gamers have mastered the art of building and nurturing community through the games they love.

This community-building has been made easier and more accessible with the advent of live gaming streaming, a genre that’s grown into a hugely popular way for gamers to connect with an audience. For gamers, particularly those with large followings, this allows them to build a fictional online identity that can entertain and form an inclusive gaming community (Gruzd et al., 2011). For example, prominent Twitch streamer Guy Beahm uses the alias ‘Dr. Disrespect’ to create a fun and engaging online personality for his viewers that is separate from his real-world personal identity.

The Changing Face of Online Gaming Communities

Furthermore, the gaming industry is now more diverse than ever. While gaming-related content still tends to heroize young cis-gendered white men, gaming influencers have begun to diversify with a growing number of female gamers as well as gamers from different cultures and abilities. This shift has been bolstered by advocacy efforts like Black Girl Gamers and the creation of new games that center the experiences of trans and non-binary gamers. We are also seeing more collaborations between brands and gamers featuring players of all ages, races, and abilities that tell a more accurate story about who gaming is for and who its creators are.