Digital Friends: Tips for Becoming Part of a Casual Game Community
By: R.L. Fielding
Whether youâre new to the online casual game world or are just new to a particular online game community, making digital friends isnât always easy. Every online community has its own unwritten rules that govern the behavior of its members â be it during game play or in the forums.
As a new community member, youâll want to do your best to fit in and make a good impression on your fellow players. But how do you know which actions are considered rude or will make you look like a ânewbieâ, and which will help you fit in? Thereâs no guidebook that can show you what to do, but here are three basic steps that will help you learn the ways of any casual game community:
1. Observe the Natives
Upon first joining a new casual game community, it can be tempting to jump right in and start interacting with other community members. But this is where many people get tripped up. Behaviors that are acceptable in one community may not be accepted in another. For example, in most places on the Web, typing in ALL CAPS is akin to yelling and will rub other people the wrong way; however, some online communities are much more lenient in this regard. If a casual game community is comprised of older individuals, you may find that many of its members will talk in ALL CAPS just so that itâs easier for them to read the words on the screen. In these communities, the other players understand this fact and wonât jump all over you for it.
The best way for a new player to interact with a group of established community members is to spend some time observing first. Get a feel for the personality or vibe of the group and the relationships between players, and then introduce yourself. For instance, you may want to reach out with a âHi allâ or âHowâs everyone doing today?â This will normally help to break the ice and get a few responses. Most online casual game communities are filled with people who are eager to connect with new players. As the saying goes, the more the merrier! Donât be afraid to ask questions if youâre not sure how to handle yourself in a particular situation. In most cases, the other players will be happy to lend a hand.
2. Learn the Language
The language barrier can also be confusing for new community members. This doesnât refer to whether a group of people speaks English, Spanish, or some other language; it means that many online communities have developed their own unique vernacular. You may come across abbreviations or expressions that youâve never encountered before. Again, it helps to observe what other players are saying first and to ask questions if youâre unable to figure out what a particular term means.
To give you an example of this phenomenon, Slingo, Inc., a leader in the casual games industry, reports that the members of the Slingo.com community have developed special terms that they use in the game rooms, such as âDDâ (Darn Devil) and âSSâ (So Sorry). When a player has had his or her coins taken away by a game character known as the Slingo Devil, these abbreviations are used as expressions of sympathy for the person who lost the coins. It can actually become a point of contention in game rooms if someone does not respond with a âthank youâ of some sort when another user communicates to them using one of these terms. Players may complain or call someone rude if he or she does not respond in kind. To help new players get up to speed with this type of slang, Slingo.com created a forum thread called âSlingo Lingoâ which provides definitions for commonly used terms.
3. Contribute to the Community
Once youâve become familiar with the customs and lingo of your new casual game community and have begun reaching out to other members, you should take steps to become an active member of the community and develop deeper friendships.
Talking in the games rooms or the forums is a great way to find new friends. Feel free to join conversations with other players or start up your own discussions. Since you already have a shared interest in playing casual games, youâre very likely to find like-minded people with whom you can interact. However, itâs important to note that, if you havenât filled out your profile completely, other players may be reluctant to friend you. At the very least, be sure to describe your interests in your profile so people have some idea of what your likes and dislikes are. Adding your picture to your profile will also help to make you more approachable; however, if you donât want to use a real photo, a good alternative is to post pictures of a cartoon character you love, your favorite kind of car, or something else that expresses your personality. This can give other players insight into what kind of person you are, even before they communicate with you.
As with face-to-face social situations, it takes time to get to know a group of people and really fit in. By wading in a little bit at a time rather than jumping in head first, youâre more likely to avoid major missteps and receive a warm welcome from your fellow game players.
About Slingo Slingo.com is a leading online destination for people who enjoy playing games, winning prizes and having fun. In fact, 1 out of every 20 people in the U.S. has played Slingo online. The Slingo website offers free, original online games, downloadable games, and contests with cash prizes, as well as a social-networking community for game players. For more information, please visit http://www.slingo.com/.