I'll readily admit that I have a somewhat unhealthy attachment to a group of strangers. No, I don't mean the latest batch of victi -- err, contestants -- on American Idol. Rather, I concern myself with a band of MMOG players that get together to accomplish feats within a video game that cannot be overcome without excessive teamwork.

I speak, of course, of my World of Warcraft guild. During my time as a member, I've collected some unique experiences befit of playing an MMOG: defeating challenging enemies; swapping item statistics; discussions and debates within guild chat and many more.

The typical World of Warcraft guild will pose approximately 834 times during its existence.

What makes these experiences unique is that I could not hope to obtain such memories through a single-player game alone. It speaks clearly of the societal transformation that video games have undergone throughout the years -- what had once represented an individualistic endeavor has altered into an experience that can be shared by all.

Sure, the single-player component won't ever fade from the fundamental video game mold; but as additional games focus upon the networking aspect of multiplayer content, it is easily apparent that the general notion of who can participate changes as well.

It's unlike an uncommon niche within the world of video games; more and more contemporary titles habitually contain some sort of multiplayer component. Whether it's the cutthroat arenas of deathmatch shooters (where I can trace back my gaming roots) to the zealous fidelity of relying on your teammates in co-op games, a variable aspect of building a social groundwork exists within the myriad genres of video games in existence today.

Left 4 Dead embodies the ideal of social bonding while getting your brains sucked out.

Retro gaming isn't immune, either. I've lost track on how many get-togethers me and my friends have had at the local arcade. Traipsing through the hellishly difficult levels of Contra was tempered somewhat by the assurance of someone else falling on their face as much as I did; essentially, we had fun despite the looming challenges that arcade games always bring.

The ideal of the term "multiplayer" doesn't necessarily involve online gameplay. Indeed, by simply having a friend or family member take part in progressing through a game, a veritable font of nostalgic memories can be achieved. (For a pertinent example, look no further than Ed Tremblay's "My Nostalgia, Part 1".)

That old saw of kids being hunched over the glow of a video game console causing a lack of exposure to society alone can be glibly explained away by the wholesale success of the Nintendo Wii and family/party-themed games. It's almost as if the myriad commercials exemplifying the fact that quality family time can be achieved by rollicking in Bowser's castle are grounded in some sort of...numerical logic.

And that's an important facet of the medium that typifies the advent of a socialized gaming utopia -- a conquest of practical and social handicaps. There's definite gratification in overcoming obstacles within a video game; it's absolutely beatific if the same is accomplished with others.

More importantly, having closer ties to those who play alongside you can assist in prevailing against personal hurdles and to assuage any anxieties an individual might encounter with his/her job, school, or other positions in life. Forging friendships with total strangers can spark acts of assistance or kindness from unexpected sources; some job-seeking tips, homework help, or even monetary loans are just a few examples.

Socializing in video games extends above and beyond the simple act of playing together. Indeed, a whole new subculture of etiquette and protocol has surfaced with the onset of multiplayer networks -- MMOG slang, FPS cliques, and lingo of all forms. It addresses a crucial shift of focus from the common basement-dwelling nerd who lives a cloistered existence of playing video games to a much larger amalgam of the populace who partake in interactive entertainment.

The word "virtual" should be overlooked here, as sharing video game adventures with others tends to be a very real experience. I can only remain optimistic for a future in which our craft continually becomes more widespread by the received opinion of society and its growing role within video games.