“…humans are embedded in a web of relationships with other humans from their conception to their death” – Ellen Berscheid, social psychologist

Given the choice to play a great game alone, or an average game with our friends, most of us will choose to play with our friends. The explosive growth of social networks, social gaming platforms, and multiplayer online games provides substantial proof for what psychologists have known for decades: our need to feel connected to other people is as fundamental a need as food, water, and safety.  Social connectedness is such a powerful factor that it is considered the number one predictor of happiness and well-being, and the only way to satisfy this need is with “…frequent and affectively pleasant interactions with at least a few others” (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). If you are to succeed in this new era of social play, it is imperative that social design be moved to the forefront of game development…or you may be left playing by yourself.