Virtual gaming is the newest adda for love and bonding
For many young Indians, online gaming has replaced the park bench, the mall hangout, and sometimes even the coffee shop. It's where they connect daily, share stories, laugh, and sometimes even fall in love. The rise of cloud and mobile gaming has made this possible. Affordable smartphones, cheap data, and easy access mean anyone, anywhere, can log in and join the fun.
Video gaming a the new socializing
Shriya and Sumit's story is not the only one of its kind, for 27-year-old Harshal Vaidya, who travelled to Europe to meet his friends that he made through video games, gaming has been a bridge to the world. He says, 'In the offline world, you're never sure if you'll find common ground. Online, you already know you share something, whether it's a game or a favourite streamer. That makes it easier to bond.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
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As Anuj Mankar of the
Indian Digital Gaming Society
explains, 'Mobile gaming has become a democratized social space—cutting across geography, language, and economic barriers. Games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile are now virtual town squares where young people forge friendships, share strategies, and engage in real-time dialogue.'
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Gaming's role in youth culture is undeniable. Pop culture specialist Divya Dixit, CEO of Recz, a social recommendations app, calls it 'the new adda for Gen Z.' She points out that gaming has its own language ('OP', 'GG'), its own celebrities (Mortal, Scout, PewDiePie), and even influences fashion and music. 'Rappers create music about PUBG and BGMI, and gaming beats are a vibe. Streetwear brands are collaborating with games — think Free Fire x HRX. Streamers' merchandise drops are as hyped as launches. Even party themes are going full gamer mode.'
An AI generated representation of how video games connect people from different locations or even timezones.
With each new generation of games, developers are adding more relatable, interactive features, making it easier for players to express themselves and perform actions that mirror real-life interactions. Counselling psychologist Priyankka Sanap describes today's online games as 'digital playgrounds' that can be especially valuable for introverts or those with social anxiety. They offer a safe space to communicate, collaborate, and share goals. But she warns about the risks of replacing real-world connections entirely. 'Gaming connections are valid and powerful, but young people need emotional tools to handle the highs and lows, just like in real life.'
The couple's journey wasn't without twists. They drifted apart, dated other people, and even stopped talking for months. But fate kept bringing them back to the game, and eventually, to each other. 'On a trip together, I realised that the guy I had been searching for was right next to me,' says Shriya. They married not long after.
Whether it's World of Warcraft, PUBG, Dota 2, Counter Strike, or Call of Duty, the virtual world can foster very real relationships. As Divya Dixit puts it, 'From Recz's lens, gaming communities aren't just about chatting — they're about doing things together. Unlike social media, where people scroll and react, in gaming they team up, strategize, and win or lose together. It builds real-time trust and deeper bonds. There's a feeling of belonging to a tribe.' In today's India, that tribe just happens to gather not at a park or a café, but in a digital arena where friendship, love, and community all get their turn in the spotlight.
DYK?
39%
of adults, 18 and older, say they met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through video games
(Source: Entertainment Software Association (ESA))
Platforms like Gamer Dating, Hype Dating, and Lyka cater to gamers.
Multiplayer games
(Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite) act as informal dating hubs—friend lists, clan chats, and matchmaking features spark real connections while playing the game
.
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