On World Video Game Day, we must also reclaim the importance of communities and dedicated servers, resisting the rise of matchmaking systems that erode connection and weaken the fight against cheaters.
There was a time when video games were seen as a passing distraction, a hobby for children or a niche for enthusiasts. Today, however, few can deny their significance. Games are no longer just entertainment; they have become cultural engines, social meeting grounds, and an economic pillar of nations. On World Video Game Day, we should not only celebrate the joy they bring, but also recognize their necessity in modern society.
In Europe, and particularly within the European Union, the video game industry is more than a cultural phenomenon: it is a growing economic force. Studios from France, Germany, Spain, Poland, and beyond have proven that interactive entertainment is one of the continent’s most promising creative industries. Billions in revenue, thousands of jobs, and a competitive export market confirm what many of us have felt for years—video games are not a luxury, but a driver of innovation and prosperity. Ignoring them would mean neglecting one of the fastest-growing creative sectors in the global economy.
Yet the discussion about games cannot stop at economics. We also need to ask ourselves what kind of gaming culture we want to encourage. Over the past decade, the industry has leaned heavily towards matchmaking systems and peer-to-peer connections. This design choice is often presented as modern and convenient, but in truth, it reflects a broader trend of digital individualism—fragmented communities, anonymous interactions, and fleeting connections. In practice, these systems not only weaken the sense of belonging that once defined multiplayer experiences but also make it harder to build resilient spaces against cheaters and toxic behavior.
By contrast, dedicated servers and community-led projects represent something that is increasingly rare in our digital age: genuine collective spaces. Anyone who has played on a community server knows the difference. There is a culture, a set of unwritten rules, a familiarity that transcends the screen. Communities foster accountability, creativity, and long-term relationships. They are not just spaces to play, but spaces to belong.
If video games are to remain a cultural necessity, then we must re-center communities in their design. We should support studios that enable server hosting, modding, and player-driven governance. We should advocate for technical models that empower players rather than reduce them to disposable entries in a matchmaking queue. And perhaps most importantly, we should resist the idea that convenience must come at the cost of community.
World Video Game Day is not just a chance to celebrate games as entertainment—it is a moment to remember what they can mean for society. Economically, they are a powerhouse. Socially, they are a bridge. And culturally, they are a canvas on which entire communities can paint their stories. If the industry embraces this vision, then video games will not just be necessary for the future of entertainment, but for the future of society itself.