Social Networking Games Found to Improve Family Connections
Category: Science & Technology Posted: November 19, 2014 03:16PM Author: Guest_Jim_*
They say the family that plays together, stays together as a result of the interactions between family members. Researchers at Concordia University have found that this remains true for social networking games, as it did for traditional board games.
With many families spread across countries and even continents, staying connected can be difficult, which is why many have turned to social networks and some to social networking games (SNGs). To examine the impacts SNGs have had on families, the Concordia researchers gave questionnaires to a group of social network gamers and followed them up with interviews. They found that the games actually improved quality of time family members spent together, even if the games lack direct communication or had asymmetrical multiplayer. The reason for this is that the games gave a common topic to discuss. The researchers also found that this was not limited to younger generations, as grandparents were playing with grandchildren.
Naturally the researchers see this as a means for families to stay connected, but they also recognize that this is something game designers could take advantage of. Families connecting through a game are more likely to keep playing, and extend the life of the games more than playing with strangers or even friends.
Source: Concordia University
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Social Networking Games Found to Improve Family Connections