Human beings are social animals; they need places to relax, connect with others, and feel a sense of belonging beyond the demands of home and work. Traditionally, these 'third places' are thought to be limited to cafes, clubs, gardens, and other neighborhood community spots. However, with an increase in digitally shaped life schedules, a new question arises: Do online spaces offer the same social values as offline ones?
"Video games and social media are often considered to be isolating or overly competitive among young generations. Yet, for many players, these platforms are more than just entertainment, giving them an opportunity to connect with like-minded people," explains Assistant Professor Mattias van Ommen from the Faculty of Social Studies at Doshisha University, Japan. While these effects are well-demonstrated in research on Western gaming cultures, the effect of such digital communities remains highly understudied in Asian cultures, especially in Japan where gamers are still often stereotyped as socially awkward young males.
Capturing this issue, researchers at Doshisha University started to explore online gaming communities and their role as a space of social belonging. Together with former Doshisha University student Mr. Ginga Yahanashi, Dr. van Ommen conducted a long-term qualitative study of an online Discord community. The community was called Medimura (pseudonym) and was used by skilled players for the game Splatoon 3. The findings of the study were made available online and published in Volume 11, Issue 4 of the journal Social Media + Society on December 1, 2025.
An in-depth analysis of Medimura reflected that members initially joined primarily to improve their gameplay, but their motivations changed over time. "Participants who initially joined as competitive members eventually stayed back for social reasons, as they started feeling a sense of comfort in their everyday social engagements on Discord," says Dr. van Ommen. With time, Medimura, which started as a gaming hub, became a place for people to simply spend time together.
The study emphasizes that members carefully balance competitive play with casual conversation. Although matches can be intense, players also joke, chat about daily life, and support one another during stressful moments. Encouraging clear community rules and entry requirements helps in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for people from different social backgrounds interacting on equal ground.
Importantly, the researchers found that the community functions as a 'third place,' despite existing entirely online. For most users, Medimura was a space they struggled to find elsewhere, free from strict rules and social pressure usually experienced at work or school. "For some players, the community provided a rare experience where they felt accepted as who they were," comments Mr. Yahanashi. "For them, this sense of ease and emotional safety was just as important as the game itself."
In a world where gamers are still often portrayed as socially withdrawn, this study shows that even competitive environments can lead to meaningful relationships. Considering the Japanese cultural context, where casual social interactions can be limited, especially in everyday work and school environments, gaming communities may play an important role in creating safe social spaces where people can relax and 'be themselves.'
Looking ahead, the researchers hope their study will encourage a broader understanding of digital platforms and their impact on supporting social wellbeing. In a digital age, where offline and online lives continue to coexist, communities like Medimura demonstrate how creative technology can be used to promote social connections, providing a sense of belonging and mutual support.
About Assistant Professor Mattias van Ommen from Doshisha University, Japan
Dr. Mattias van Ommen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Doshisha University, Japan, where he specializes in cultural anthropology and Japanese digital gaming cultures. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Japan Studies at Leiden University, Netherlands, and holds a Master's and a PhD in Anthropology earned at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He has published on digital games, online communities, and contemporary forms of social interaction, with particular attention to Japanese gaming spaces. His upcoming book on Japanese Final Fantasy XIV communities, Fantastic Intimacy, will be published by Cornell University Press in the late 2026.
Funding information
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: While the authors received no financial support for the research of this article, this article's publication—specifically the article processing charge (APC)—was provided by the APC support program of Doshisha University's Department of Research Planning.
