Social Gaming
Ongoing coverage on Social Gaming.
Latest coverage
EA Sports is working on a new 'open-world' football experience codenamed 'Project Gridiron'
EA Sports is developing a new American football experience codenamed "Project Gridiron." This project is described as a "social-first, open-world experience" and appears to be separate from the existing Madden NFL and EA Sports College Football franchises.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
Now Playing at SUPERJUMP, Issue 44
This issue of SUPERJUMP's 'Now Playing' features a diverse range of titles, including a deep dive into the enduring appeal of Shadow of the Colossus and a reflection on the legacy of Cave Story+. Grand Theft Auto III is revisited for its timeless sandbox experience, while the social game Big Walk is praised for fostering connection among friends. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is also highlighted for its impressive recompilation on handheld devices.
Best Digital Entertainment Platforms in 2026: What Each Does Best | Invision Game Community
In 2026, digital entertainment platforms specialize rather than compete directly. Steam excels at managing PC game libraries and updates, Discord facilitates social interaction and coordination between gaming sessions, and YouTube serves as a hub for video content discovery. Mobile platforms are crucial for filling spare moments with quick gaming sessions.
What we've been playing - "I don't think this is this game's biggest problem"
Several individuals share their recent gaming experiences, including Kelsey enjoying Hitman World of Assassination, Connor revisiting MapleStory in anticipation of its classic version, Chris offering further thoughts on Marvel's Wolverine, Bertie finding unexpected joy in the cooperative game Big Walk, and Marie replaying Spyro: Reignited Trilogy.
What we've been playing - "We're in danger of making this a regular thing"
This week's "What We've Been Playing" feature discusses several games, including the blob-merging puzzle game Sobosuba, the classic Minesweeper, and the social adventure game Big Walk. The article also touches on the philosophical question of player engagement in games that largely play themselves, using Vampire Survivors as an example, and mentions brief dabbling in The Lord of the Rings: The War in the North and Hades 2.
It turns out touching grass is the answer: Gaming is great when you leave the house
This article argues that gaming, while often isolating, is best experienced socially, whether through large events like Gamescom or smaller local gatherings. The author shares personal experiences of engaging with other players at an in-person launch event for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, highlighting the connections and fun that come from real-world interaction over online play. Stepping away from digital platforms and engaging with games in person can combat burnout and rediscover the inherent fun of gaming.
Filling Big Walk with people who had no one to play with demonstrated how deceptively profound it can be
This article explores the profound impact of social connection in the game Big Walk, detailing an experiment where the author gathered infrequent online gamers. It highlights how the game's simple mechanics foster emergent social interactions and create memorable shared experiences, even among strangers.
Xbox Live Party Chat Poker Nights Are Back, Here’s How Cross-Play Changed The Game
Cross-play has revitalized social gaming experiences, particularly for activities like online poker nights, by removing platform barriers that previously fragmented friend groups. Microsoft's continued investment in cross-platform compatibility, exemplified by Xbox's approach since gamescom 2026, ensures that players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC can easily connect. This shift has allowed social gaming circles to remain active for longer periods, transcending console generations and fostering stronger friendships through shared online activities.
Raph Koster on the birth of MMORPGs and sandboxes as the ultimate expression of social gaming
Raph Koster discusses the origins of MMORPGs and sandbox games, tracing their roots from MUDs to modern titles like Ultima Online and World of Warcraft. He highlights how sandbox games represent the ultimate expression of social gaming by fostering interdependency and allowing players to engage in ways that matter to each other.
The Best Casino-Inspired Xbox Games To Try
This article highlights several casino-inspired games available on Xbox, including The Four Kings Casino and Slots, Poker Club, Prominence Poker, and the Diamond Casino & Resort within Grand Theft Auto V Online. These titles offer various gambling experiences, from social hubs to competitive poker tournaments, all accessible from the comfort of home.
8 Ball Pool: Play Together Announces Steam Next Fest Demo
8 Ball Pool: Play Together will feature a free playable demo during Steam Next Fest from June 15 to June 22. The game combines realistic 8-ball pool matches with a social bar atmosphere and offers adjustable aim assistance for new players. Feedback from the demo will be used to improve the game before its full release.
Best of 3Bis brings social esports to the heart of Paris, France
Resonanc'E-Sport and Bar Le 3 Bis are collaborating to host 'Best of 3Bis – 2v2 edition', a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament in Paris on June 7, 2026. The event emphasizes social interaction and teamwork with a 2v2 format featuring friendly fire, running from noon until midnight.
How to host a games night people actually enjoy | Invision Game Community
This guide offers advice on hosting enjoyable games nights by focusing on creating a relaxed atmosphere and choosing accessible games. It emphasizes simplicity, flexibility, and encouraging social interaction over rigid structure to ensure all guests feel included and comfortable.
Global Expansion of Crash Games
Crash games are experiencing rapid global growth, driven by their simple rules, fast rounds, and mobile compatibility, making them ideal for modern player habits. Regions like India, Brazil, and various African countries are significant contributors to this expansion, facilitated by improved internet infrastructure, affordable smartphones, and accessible digital payment systems. While Europe has a more mature, regulated market, crash games are gaining traction there as an alternative to traditional casino offerings.
8 BALL POOL: PLAY TOGETHER - Own the Table in the Ultimate Social Billiards Experience
8 Ball Pool: Play Together has been revealed, offering a social billiards experience set in a realistic bar atmosphere. The game features skill-based mechanics, global ranking systems, and unlockable gear, aiming to provide a competitive yet engaging environment for players of all skill levels.
Gen Z in China Turns Shopping Malls into Real-Life Battle Royales - GameHaunt
Young adults in China are transforming empty shopping malls into real-life battle royale arenas after dark, utilizing augmented reality headsets and motion sensors. These events, inspired by games like PUBG and Peacekeeper Elite, involve 40-60 players running over 5 kilometers in 90-minute matches, blending intense physical activity with social interaction and offering a unique alternative to traditional gaming.
Sky Children of the Light is testing new MMO tech to ‘fully embrace its massively multiplayer nature’
Sky: Children of the Light is testing new MMO technology called Presence, which aims to allow more players to see and interact with each other simultaneously. Currently in open beta in Aviary Village for select players, this feature is intended to fully embrace the game's massively multiplayer nature. The game also features the ongoing Season of Carnival event, which includes player-created challenges and minigames.
Rec Room shutting down after failing to become 'sustainably profitable'
The VR chat and game platform Rec Room will be shutting down on June 1, 2026, exactly ten years after its initial launch. The closure is attributed to the platform's failure to achieve sustainable profitability.
Virtual hangout game Rec Room is shutting down in June
The virtual hangout game Rec Room will be shutting down on June 1st, 2026, due to profitability challenges. Despite reaching over 150 million players and having millions of monthly active users, the developers struggled to make the business sustainable. The decision was made to wind down operations thoughtfully.
