You do it; they do it, we’re all doing it. We’re talking about gaming, of course. And yet, few people share their hobby with the people closest to them. But playing video games helps you get closer with friends, family, and even your significant other.
Gaming and romantic relationships rarely go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean they can’t or shouldn’t. It isn’t strange that couples share common hobbies, but with gaming, few couples will spend so much time and energy on it.
So, how can video games help bring you closer to your romantic partner? Lets find out.
Video Games Can Help Foster Your Relationship
Believe it or not, playing video games as a couple can positively affect your relationship with your significant other. Having the same interests can help build a better relationship from the start, but according to a getcenturylink.com survey conducted recently, it’ll also improve your relationship.
Out of 1000 people who took the survey, almost 52% of them said that gaming has had a positive effect on their relationships.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise since there are many benefits of playing video games as a couple. First, online gaming is a great way to stay in touch with your partner without having to go outside.
Many people are still staying at home most of the time. And if you or your partner are one of them, having a gaming night while talking on the phone is an excellent way to stay in touch while being apart. The same principle applies to long-distance relationships.
Playing Video Games Together Can Also Improve Your Communication
Playing co-op games is also a great way to improve your communication with your partner. This is because you’re both working towards a common goal, and you’ll both get a reward once you beat a level or mission. Plus, in most games, you must talk to each other and coordinate your moves to make some progress in any co-op game.
The best part is that video games don’t just help with your significant other, but they also help improve your communication with your family. This has obvious implications as to the wider benefits of gaming, rather than just how it can help couples come together.
According to a New Media & Society study on the effects of video games in families, people that played co-op video games with their families had better communication and family closeness. If you think your partner is the one, or you’re already starting a family together, playing video games might help your family as well.
Of course, co-op games aren’t the only ones with benefits. Competitive games will do the trick as well. In the previously mentioned survey, competitive games like Call of Duty and Mario Kart are games that have the most positive effect on relationships. As they say, a little competition never hurt anyone.
What Games Can You Start With?
If you or your partner aren’t big fans of gaming, it might be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, we have a few recommendations.
A great way to start gaming with each other is with your phones. Many games on Android and iOS will let you play with each other. A few recommendations for you are Quiz Crack 2, Words with Friends 2, and Clash Royale.
The last one is mostly for single players, but it’s got a 2v2 mode that’s fun to play as a couple. There are also many other fun local multiplayer games for Android and iPhone you can try.
If both of you are more PC gamers, you can start with Humans Fall Flat, Don’t Starve Together, and even the super popular game Among Us. There are also games with local multiplayer for PC as well.
Finally, for console gamers, we’ve already talked about Mario Kart and Call of Duty, but you can also try other games like Overcooked and Animal Crossing. There are many great local multiplayer games to play with on the Switch, if that’s your console of choice.
Ultimately, the decision is yours! Talk with your partner and figure out which game you both can play to enjoy playing together. Experiment with different games until you find the best one for you, which is also part of the fun.
Gaming Can Be a Double-Edged Sword For Your Relationship
Like they say, too much of anything is bad for you, so it’s important for couples to play video games together moderately. Of course, you can probably think of nobody you’d rather be tackling Rainbow Six Siege with, but don’t overdo it.
Too much gaming can end up hurting a relationship if someone doesn’t want or can’t play that often. Another issue can arise if one person also spends a lot of time playing video games by themselves.
It’s important to shake things up and try different things from time to time. Whether that means trying other video games or stop playing altogether and try a different hobby for a while. The best way for video games to bring couples closer together is that they communicate better with each other and understand each other’s likes and dislikes.
Couples That Game Together, Stay Together
Now that you know the benefits of playing video games together, it’s time that you and your partner take your relationship to the next level—the next level in the game, that is.
As long as both of you choose the game you enjoy the most to play together, and you do it at times when you both want to play, it’s possible that you’ll see positive changes in your relationship in no time. You might even become closer than ever before.
Of course, there are other things you can do other than gaming nights. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a chill date night watching Netflix’s best romantic movies.