Retro Rebel Podcast – Ep. 118 How to Make Real Friendships Online

This week the Rebels are looking back at a few weeks ago when we talked about epal.gg – a way to connect with other gamers, for a fee. We discussed how that might not be too healthy if you forget that relationship is a business transaction. So, we thought we’d discuss some tips about how to make friends online for free in games, in a healthy way. We are sharing our tips on how to make real friendships online.

Retro Rebel Podcast is hosted by Amanda Fox and Stacy Bishop. Each week they take a deep dive into the gaming industry and discuss news stories, the current games they are playing as well as the topic of the week.

Do you like this episode? Wanna complain about something we got wrong? Let us know what you think by dropping a comment below or emailing us at info@templeofgeek.com. We really want to hear your opinions!

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Intro Music – Final Impasse By Ground is Lava

How to make real friendships online?

Amanda suggests you play with a mic, talk to people. Remember, you’ve just met this person, so don’t share a ton of personal information upfront. If you find someone fun, ask if they’d like to play again sometime and add them to friends. Then actually invite them to play later in the week. Approach any online friendship like you would one in real life. Go slow, get to know them. If you like hanging out with them more each day, that’s a good sign. Share bits about yourself and ask questions to learn more. Find out other games you can play together so you’re not in a single-game box. Once you feel comfortable, connect on social media. But take it slow, it’s not a race and you might find you just don’t get along with some people. That’s ok. If it’s convenient and once you’ve been friends on social for a while, maybe suggest a squad meet up – even if it’s just on Zoom or something. If you want to make real friendships, your goal is to eventually get face to face, if that’s possible.

Leave us a comment here or on our social media and tell us what you suggest for making real friendships online.

WHAT THE REBELS ARE PLAYING

Pixelated Art of AmandaAmanda – I’ve been playing Two Point Hospital. It’s a building a resource management game where you take control of a new or failing hospital and complete challenges to turn it around and achieve a 3-star rating. It’s very tongue and cheek. The PA announcer says cheeky things to let you know if something is going wrong like, “we’re sorry for the litter that YOU dropped on OUR floors” in this posh British accent. It’s quite cute. Sure, it’s basically a game for kids, but it’s so fun, I don’t care.

Disco Elysium

Pixel art of StacyStacy – I’m finding more and more that the most important thing for me in a game is whether or not I’m having fun when I play. Still playing Disco Elysium, which is a role-playing video game developed and published by ZA/UM. Going towards about 60 hours of gameplay. Currently dealing with guys who light their swords on fire. It’s a complex and challenging game. But you can also make it easier if you need it and it is a must-play.

GAMING NEWS

Photo of an iphone 11 being held in someones hand. It is a closeup of the phone. Written over the images are the words "Is Apple anti-competitive?"

Apple is the reason streaming isn’t on iOS, says Microsoft – they didn’t beat around the bush. When project xCloud was not approved for the App Store, Microsoft came out swinging and says that the standards are different for games and the gatekeeping is all on Apple’s side. One has to wonder why… seems anti-competitive.

More than half of gamers find social and political themes are the major cause of lacking game enjoyment. Microtransactions and paywalls also are a factor with over a 5th of surveyed gamers saying games are less fun now. Do you agree?

CHECK OUT OUR LAST FEW EPISODES

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Retro Rebel Podcast Episode 116 – Deep Dive into the Last of Us Part 2

Retro Rebel Podcast – Review bombing, Petitions and The Last of Us 2

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This episode was edited by Monica Duarte

Author

  • Amanda cut her teeth on her dads old Tandy before graduating to SNES and beyond. An accomplished guild leader in multiple titles and sucker for console RPGs; Amanda spends most of her free time with a bit of tech in her hands. With a life philosophy derived from a Spock quote and more passport stamps then shoes; she is a well-traveled nerd with the urge to pontificate.

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Amanda Fox

Amanda cut her teeth on her dads old Tandy before graduating to SNES and beyond. An accomplished guild leader in multiple titles and sucker for console RPGs; Amanda spends most of her free time with a bit of tech in her hands. With a life philosophy derived from a Spock quote and more passport stamps then shoes; she is a well-traveled nerd with the urge to pontificate.

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