By Amanda Maslin, 21 May, 2025
Designing games for social connection
When most people think of video games, they picture fast-paced action, immersive storytelling, or thrilling multiplayer battles. But beyond the pixels and controllers, gaming holds something much more powerful: the ability to bring people together. In QUT’s Faculty of Science, researchers are uncovering how video games can strengthen family relationships and why designing for connection is a growing opportunity in the field.
Building connection
Gaming is no longer just a solo or kids-only pastime. Increasingly, families are picking up controllers together, and the benefits are real. When parents game with their children, it opens doors to better communication, mutual understanding, and stronger emotional bonds.
In fact, researchers at QUT’s Faculty of Science have shown that shared gameplay can help children feel more supported, while giving parents a better understanding of their kids’ digital lives and interests. It’s not just about play; it’s about connection.
“Gaming fosters genuine social connections, akin to sports or other group activities,” says QUT Professor Daniel Johnson. His work explores the psychological and social impacts of video games, particularly when families engage together.
More than just a game
In a recent interview with UNICEF Parenting, Professor Johnson highlighted the broad benefits of video game play, including:
- Learning and creativity: games encourage both incidental and targeted learning, allowing players to experiment, imagine, and grow.
- Resilience and perseverance: the structure of many games teaches players to keep trying after failure - a valuable life skill.
- Social connection: cooperative games allow players to bond, strategise, and share joyful experiences.
"We're all drawn to activities that satisfy our needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness,” explains Professor Johnson. “And video games, when designed well, are incredibly good at satisfying those needs."
A space for everyone
The face of gaming is also changing. While half of Australia’s gamers are women, mums often face stereotypes that discourage them from embracing games. But that’s shifting. More mothers are discovering that video games can be a way to bond with their children and unwind.
In a recent ABC news article on mums who game, QUT researcher Dr Madison Klarkowski points out that as gaming becomes more accepted across society, it's becoming easier for everyone to participate.
“It’s just this massive reduction in barriers to social access,” says Dr Klarkowski. “It’s the fundamental human activity of play … that isn’t reserved for any specific type of person.
Designing games that matter
So how do we design games that foster connection? That’s exactly what students are learning at QUT.
The games degree at QUT gives students the tools to design and build thoughtful, inclusive games that make a real impact. With a strong focus on player psychology, human-computer interaction, and human-centred design, QUT students don’t just learn to code, they learn to understand players and design for their emotional and social needs.
From day one, students engage in hands-on projects that explore how games influence behaviour, learning, and relationships. And in their final year, students showcase their work through a year-long project for an industry client which is presented at the end of year IT and Games Showcase where they can demonstrate their creativity, innovation, and the social power of games. Check out some of the projects.
Ready to make a difference?
Whether you’re passionate about storytelling, psychology, technology, or creating fun experiences that bring people together, games and interactive environments are where all these elements intersect. QUT is preparing the next generation of game designers and developers who will create games not just for entertainment, but for empathy, resilience, and connection.
