Game Sociology

The specific analysis of group dynamics within game communities, from the hierarchy of raid leaders to the social function of in-game weddings (yes, people do this). It explores how game clans develop their own cultures (inside jokes, shared enemies, initiation rituals), how online game communities police themselves (banning trolls, unless the trolls are in charge), and how real-world social structures replicate themselves in virtual spaces (the rich get richer, the powerful get more powerful, and the newbies get exploited). Game sociology proves that you can change the setting, but human nature remains stubbornly the same.

Example: "In the MMO, a classic example of game sociology unfolded when two top guilds merged. The combined group immediately split into factions based on former guild loyalty, leading to passive-aggressive forum posts, whispered recruitment attempts, and eventually, a schism that created two new guilds, each claiming to be the 'true' successor. It was church history, but with elves."

by Nammugal February 14, 2026

Gaming Sociology

The specific analysis of group dynamics within gaming communities, from the social hierarchies of esports teams to the intricate politics of Minecraft servers. It explores how gaming clans form and fracture, how streaming communities develop parasocial relationships with their favorite players (he's not your friend, he's a guy playing games for money), and how gaming conventions become temporary cities of cosplay, competition, and body odor. Gaming sociology reveals that gamers are just people, which means they're wonderful, terrible, and endlessly fascinating, usually in the same Discord server.

Example: "At the gaming convention, a perfect example of gaming sociology occurred. A famous streamer walked through the hall, and a crowd formed immediately, not because they wanted anything from him, but simply because other people had gathered, and crowds attract crowds. Within minutes, 200 people were standing in a circle, phones out, recording a man eating a hot dog. The sociology of celebrity had achieved peak absurdity."

by Nammugal February 14, 2026