Games we bonded over

[Moonshroom]

There are games that I consider to be brilliant because of how awesome they are and how much fun I can have by playing them over and over again, but there are also other games that I consider to be brilliant because of the memories attached to them and of the significance they carry with them. Games that have helped me bond with people who might not even be in my life anymore or even in this world, but whose memories I can evoke one click or tap at a time. And that makes them all the more precious for me... because, unlike a picture or video, they offer a sort of memory that remains always fresh and won't be able to fade away - as long as that game works, my memories remain fresh because I can keep summoning them regardless of what is actually happening on the screen. It's like I'm able to relive them over and over again.

I remember how I met my best friend playing Commander Keen on the school's computer lab or how my sister and I would duke it out on Lethal Enforcers II on the Genesis (even though it was a co-op game ). I also remember how my dad would let us watch him play Alone in the Dark when that game came out or how we would build our own leagues in FIFA 98, always hunting down a newspaper to see the line-ups in an era in which there were no patches to apply and no internet to download them from. I would not call any of those games "masterpieces" or even favorites of mine, but they have a place in my heart because of the kind bonding they allowed to happen.

Did you bond over games like that? Are there any that you would not consider to even be good games today but whose place in your heart is already earned because you played them with that special someone or with a relative or friend who you miss dearly?

[Kyng]

CyberNations .

A lot of players created their own alliances - each of which had their own forums and IRC channel. These became a great social outlet - not only for interacting with fellow alliance members, but also forging bonds with diplomats from foreign alliances.

I stopped playing a decade ago, but I'm still friends with some people from there (I'm looking at you, Jarkko !)

[Jarkko]

Yes, I still have a number of people I keep in touch with from CN, mostly on FB but also on Discord, since CCC decided to invite me in for its fifteenth anniversary in 2021, along with several other alums. Actually, one is a pastor at a Reformed church in North Dakota.

[Uncrowned Guard]

The old Halo 2/3 days basically built over half of the friendships and connections that I have today.  We even have two full Discord servers that are just based on our old group of Halo friends. 

Today, the bonding game appears to be Destiny 2, but only time will tell how it goes.

[Shiny Star]

Animal Crossing and Counterstrike: Global Offensive for me. Big in the communities and very interactive games. Still in contact with some people for YEARS!

[Moonshroom]

I will add Pokémon, because the sense of community has brought way too many people together in the form of trading, battling and needing. I have met quite a few people this way and it will never stop feeling warm on the inside.

[LadyJirachu]

I bonded with friends over Pokémon a lot in my past when me and friends in general used to be huge Pokémon players xD

Some I used to battle over and over again too. I think I generally would win the battles, since I understand competitive strategies a bit (that can give a bit of an edge) but my friends have pulled off epic victories before too and I am always super proud of them for it

edit; I mention when I play Yume 2kki a lot to one of my best friends I text with, too, but I don’t know if that counts as game bonding or not cos she is not really interested in playing it herself. I think she still enjoys hearing about my interest in the game overall, though.

I sometimes also bond with friends at day program over board games and card games too. If it’s our activity for the day I really love when we get to play indoor card/board games there It’s not super often, but it is fun.

[Shiny Star]

I will add Pokémon, because the sense of community has brought way too many people together in the form of trading, battling and needing. I have met quite a few people this way and it will never stop feeling warm on the inside.

Oh yeah this too. I never made friends directly from Pokémon communities though but played it with people I know.

[Moonshroom]

I will add Pokémon, because the sense of community has brought way too many people together in the form of trading, battling and needing. I have met quite a few people this way and it will never stop feeling warm on the inside.

Oh yeah this too. I never made friends directly from Pokémon communities though but played it with people I know.

Not really surprised that you didn't get to experience it as much, since you are much younger than I am - not really part of the generation that got to stand uncomfortably close to another person, holding a frigging cable in order to do anything even remotely multiplayer. Dang kids, with their WiFi and blue teeth :r

[Uncrowned Guard]

Animal Crossing and Counterstrike: Global Offensive for me. Big in the communities and very interactive games. Still in contact with some people for YEARS!

This is the biggest swing of games ever.   The most casual relaxing game and the most sweaty game in history lol.