The Need for Social Connection in Mobile Gaming

In today's world, the internet and technology have made the planet feel like a small village. Thanks to social media, it's like we're never alone – even when physically by ourselves. Social media connects us with people worldwide, ensuring we're never the odd ones out, with many like-minded individuals just a click away. Whether you're a student or a professional, the internet provides a vast space to discover people who share your interests, hobbies, and similar life experiences. The slang calls it the “soul people”, an aspect that stands out as a fundamental game-changer—the rise of gaming communities. These virtual gathering places, where players unite, share experiences, and build connections, have become an integral part of the mobile gaming experience. Through this blog we want to  explore the need for communities in mobile gaming and the  impact they have on the gaming ecosystem.

1. Building a Sense of Belonging:

Mobile gaming, despite its solitary nature, thrives on the sense of belonging that communities bring. Gamers, regardless of age, background, or location, seek a space where they can share their passion with like-minded individuals. Communities provide a platform for players to connect, creating a virtual haven where they feel understood and valued. In Bhoos, we have created Facebook Community Pages for different games such as Marriage Card Game, Call Break Legend and Ludo Legend , and by experience we can claim, having a separate group gives users freedom to talk about their games.  

2. Shared Experiences and Tips:

Gaming is more than just a leisure activity; it's an adventure. Whether navigating through the treacherous terrains of a fantasy world or deciding which card to throw in the next round , the journey becomes richer when shared. Communities serve as hubs for sharing experiences, strategies, and tips, elevating individual gameplay through collective wisdom.

3. Building Friendships and Alliances:

Beyond the pixels and virtual landscapes, gaming communities also help in  the formation of genuine friendships. Players forge alliances, team up for multiplayer battles, and support each other through victories and defeats. These digital friendships often transcend the gaming experience, creating bonds that extend into real-life connections. In the Facebook Community for the Marriage Card Game by Bhoos, we have a feature where users can share codes and ask their friends and families to join the game, and users have been doing that via facebook, making new friends. 

4. Enhancing Competitive Spirit:

For those seeking a competitive edge, gaming communities offer a dynamic arena. Tournaments, leaderboards, and competitive events organized within these communities fuel the competitive spirit of gamers. The thrill of friendly rivalry and the pursuit of excellence become driving forces that keep players engaged and invested in their favorite games.

5. Features Updates and News:

Staying updated while playing a mobile game is crucial, with new features and updates being the first one to know is every gamer's dream. Gaming communities can  act as information hubs, delivering real-time updates, patch notes, and news about upcoming releases. This ensures that players are well-informed and can adapt to changes swiftly, fostering a sense of community-wide anticipation and excitement.

6. Support and Empathy:

Every gamer faces challenges, be it a particularly challenging level, an in-game setback or sudden issues that may arrive. Gaming communities provide a support system where players can seek advice, share frustrations, and celebrate triumphs. This  environment  can not only enhance the gaming experience but also contributes to the mental well-being of the community members. In the image we can see how users are providing support to other users

7. Influence on Game Development:

Developers are increasingly recognizing the impact of player feedback on game development. Gaming communities serve as valuable feedback channels, enabling developers to understand player preferences, identify bugs, and implement improvements. This symbiotic relationship enhances the gaming experience for everyone involved. For example, we had asked users for their opinion on a feature enhancement in the Marriage Card Game by Bhoos, and got a great amount of responses. It gave us a sense of direction and also narrowed huge options.

Take Clash Royale, for instance, where a reddit community (r/ClashRoyale) serves as a hub for strategic discussions and deck sharing. The active engagement from Supercell seems to fuel a collaborative evolution of the game. Another game, Fortnite, with its community across platforms like Reddit, Discord, and official forums, showcases the strength of player connections. Epic Games listens and implements player-suggested features, making the community an integral part of the game's ongoing development. This sense of shared ownership has undoubtedly contributed to Fortnite's popularity.

In Pokémon GO, The Silph Road stands out as a community-driven network where players coordinate events, share research, and connect. Niantic acknowledges the community's contributions, including the integration of player-generated content into official updates. These examples underscore the impact of gaming communities in mobile games for different genres.

In Bhoos Games, realizing the need for community, we had started a facebook community for our popular games and the results have been astonishing. We had initially created a community group for Call Break on Facebook in 2018. Call break is a fairly popular game among South Asian Countries. The Facebook Group Community has decent numbers of players from Bangladesh, India and Nepal providing an intercountry approach to the game. Users share their experience, tips and tricks. Our most recent community has been a Marriage Card Game by Bhoos. The Facebook Group has become a vibrant community where players discuss hero strategies, share gameplay tips, and highest Point Wins. The community has poles and posts to understand the gameplay experience of the users. The community's passion for the game contributes to its competitive scene and player retention.

In each of these examples, the gaming communities have played pivotal roles in enhancing player experiences, shaping game development, and fostering a sense of community among players. The open communication channels between developers and players in these communities showcase the positive impact that collaborative engagement can have on the mobile gaming industry.

The open communication channels between developers and players in these communities showcase the positive impact that collaborative engagement can have on the mobile gaming industry.

Conclusion:

For the mobile gaming world, these communities emerge as social catalysts that transcend the limitations of screen size and geographical boundaries. They create a shared space where individual players evolve into a collective force, making the gaming landscape more co-operative and competitive. So, whether you're a casual player or a dedicated gamer, consider joining a community—it might just be where you belong.