PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) was the most successful game of 2017. This multiplayer online shooter is a ‘battle royale’ style game, inspired by the Japanese film of the same name. The idea is to fight for survival, eliminating 99 other players to receive the prestigious ‘Chicken Dinner’ (i.e. winning).

A key part of its popularity comes from gamers who stream their gameplay online, often through Amazon’s Twitch service. The format of the game caters to the rhythms of streaming, and encourages sociable play through a mixture of high-speed action and slower-paced, quieter moments.

Games like PUBG highlight the error in the cliched stereotype of gaming as being nothing but a solitary, virtual grind for glory. These games are best played with others; gameplay intertwining with online conversations, live eSports tournaments and real-life meetups. PUBG’s record-breaking success reflects the sociability and diverse community of connected gamers that exists worldwide.