In the dynamic digital and online world, fostering meaningful connections goes beyond just gameplay. It’s about building bridges, creating bonds, and cultivating trust that transcends the screen.

Once upon a time, connecting with someone meant knocking on a neighbour’s door, meeting a friend at the park, or gathering with family around a dining table. Fast forward to today, where the digital world has become the ultimate connector, bridging distances and breaking barriers in ways we never imagined. In today’s interconnected world, understanding social formations in digital spaces and the ability to develop human-focused systems that foster meaningful connections is more vital than ever.

My Multiplayer Online Social Formation Cycle provides a thoughtful framework for building and nurturing these connections in digital and online spaces. The framework emphasises inclusivity, trust, and sustained engagement, making it relevant not only in gaming but across broader digital communities.

The Cycle Unpacked: Digital as a Bridge to Social Formation & Capital

1. Bridge: The starting point for all digital-based connections. Bridging provides an open invitation, creating pathways for individuals to connect regardless of background or skill level. Think of it as the virtual handshake that says, “You belong here.” Here initial connections are established by breaking barriers and creating open pathways for new participants. This can be as simple as Adding-As-Friend after an enjoyable multiplayer online game or after reviewing a player’s statistics and achievements.
2. Bond: Once the bridge is crossed, bonding solidifies relationships. Whether through shared missions, challenges, or moments of triumph, this phase strengthens the ties between players, building trust and camaraderie. Players often desire a repeat of memorable experiences, here relationships are strengthened through shared experiences, collaboration, and trust. For example. having connected at Stage 1 (Bridge), players can now send gameplay invitations to each other through personalised platforms such as the PlayStation Network or LinkedIn.
3. Self-Disclosure: True connection goes deeper than gameplay stats. Sharing experiences, emotions, and perspectives enables participants to feel seen and heard, making communities more authentic and supportive. Continuous gameplay (also a form of contextual task completion) encourages genuine communication and personal sharing to build deeper understanding. Players often employ social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitch for continued gameplay interactions away from their platforms.
4. Meet: Bridging the gap between virtual and real-world interactions. From gaming conventions to team meetups, meeting in person fosters stronger ties and a deeper understanding of one another. Here opportunities for in-person interactions or real-time engagement to enhance digital connections are created.
5. Repeat: Community growth thrives on consistency. By revisiting the cycle, players and creators keep connections alive, adapt to changes, and foster long-term engagement. Single mediums of communication breed weak ties while multiple mediums breed strong ties. Through the experience of modality switching, engagement is sustained through consistent interactions and adaptation over time and across digital channels or platforms.

Why It Matters

This cycle provides a replicable model for fostering inclusion and growth in digital spaces. Its focus on relationship-building resonates with communities across industries, from gaming to education, and supports broader initiatives like digital inclusion and sustainability.

Limitations of the Framework

While the Multiplayer Online Social Formation Cycle offers a robust model for connection, there are challenges:

• Scalability: Implementing the cycle across large, diverse communities can dilute the quality of bonds and personalized engagement.
• Cultural Differences: The framework assumes shared norms for communication and interaction, which may not translate seamlessly across cultures.
• Digital Fatigue: Encouraging consistent participation can be challenging when users experience burnout or lack sustained interest.
• Resource Demands: Effective implementation, particularly in the “Meet” phase, requires significant resources for organization and accessibility.
• Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on digital platforms may exclude those with limited tech access or literacy.

Moving Forward

Despite these limitations, the framework is a valuable tool for fostering meaningful connections in online spaces. Recognising its challenges allows leaders and practitioners to adapt and enhance its implementation, ensuring it remains inclusive and impactful.

By embracing this model and addressing its constraints, digital communities can create environments that promote collaboration, resilience, and empowerment. Through its application, I continue to advocate for a future where technology connects, inspires, and uplifts everyone.

Further Investigation

• Smith, J. (2023). Digital Bridges in Online Communities.

• Adewole, J. (2015). The Multiplayer Online Social Formation Cycle (MOSFC).

Research questions to get you and your students started.

For systems designers:

1. How can we optimise algorithms to encourage movement from “Bridge” to “Bond”?

2. What safeguards can ensure self-disclosure is safe and positive?

For academics:

1. How does this cycle differ across cultural and socio-economic contexts?

2. What are the long-term implications of hybrid (online/offline) community formation?