Connection Lists

In this list, provided by the LTN (Love Thy Nerd) editors, we bring together video games that have the potential to offer more than entertainment. It starts with 12 with a challenge us to be a good neighbour, and follows with others added over time. LTN exists to be the love of Jesus to nerds and nerd culture, you can read more about them on their website.

 
31/03/2020 / 4 years ago

Many video games are enjoyable because of the independence they offer. You get to try out being the master of your own fate with all the power and ability you need to do that. Some games flip this on its head. They task you with convincing strangers to help you on a mission that will fail without their help.

 
25/09/2022 / 2 years ago

There are many reasons, stages of life and circumstances that can leave us feeling isolated and lonely. Being unable to be in the same place as loved ones. Not understanding the modern world. Barriers of mobility or impairments. Social anxiety and other mental health issues.

 
12/06/2020 / 4 years ago

One of the most exciting aspects of modern video games is playing with other people online. It's a big step from playing something like Mario Kart with family and friends in the same room to going online to play with people you don't know.

 
28/02/2021 / 3 years ago

Although you can play many multiplayer Switch games on the same system. There are some that let you play with or against other players in the same room but on separate devices.

 
09/02/2022 / 2 years ago

The Nintendo DS and 3DS/2DS offers a feature for some games where you can play on multiple systems with one copy of the game. This is a great way to save money for multiplayer games.

 
01/01/2019 / 5 years ago

The Switch console comes with one pair of Joy Cons. These are attached to the Switch in portable mode and detached when playing on a TV. Some games support multiplayer modes with each player only needing one Joy-Con half to play. This offers a much more affordable way to accommodate more players.

 
04/11/2020 / 3 years ago

Online games are great because you have a world of opponents to take on and defeat (or be defeated by). But beyond the competitive element of these games are often a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

 
12/04/2020 / 4 years ago

We all have different levels of experience, ability and connection to video games. Finding a game to play with another person who has less (or more) expertise in playing can be a challenge.

 
15/01/2021 / 3 years ago

Most online games only work if the person you are wanting to play against has the same system that you have, console, PC or smartphone. There are, however, a growing library of games that offer what is often called cross-play. This lets you play with people on different systems.

 
02/04/2020 / 4 years ago

Some games are designed for online play. For those that only have local multiplayer, you can use a feature on Steam called Steam Remote Play Together to play these games with a friend in another place as if they were sat next to you. You can use online chat, pass the controls back and forth or each control different players to cooperate or compete.

 
26/06/2020 / 4 years ago

Games aren't only about quick reactions and shooting things. Many games, like the parlour games of the past, are about communication and quick wits. There is a whole group of games that are more about talking to other players than anything else.

 
05/04/2021 / 3 years ago

Games create space that invites you to experience what it feels like to be someone else. Whether on your own or with others, this inevitably frames conversations about what you have experienced.

 
01/05/2024 / 5 months ago

Video games are usually thought to be about fighting, shooting and adrenaline. As regular readers will know, there are video games about everything. Recently I've been noticing games that combine the stewardship of the land and the nurturing of resources.

 
15/05/2020 / 4 years ago

Play is more fun when it’s shared. This is as true about video games as it is when building a massive sandcastle on the beach or playing hopscotch in the playground. Finding brilliant team games is a great way to involve more people in the fun and share the experience together as a family. More experienced players naturally help novices contribute to the team.
Along with teamwork, the games I’ve selected here use the fact that players are all sitting next to each other.

 
10/03/2020 / 4 years ago