When indie developer Glumberland announced an exclusive distribution deal with Epic Games, the response from fans was swift and furious. With gamer communities becoming as important as the games themselves, the backlash shed light on the power of players – and some of their toxic behaviors.

Once perceived as an anti-social pursuit, gaming now offers people a way to connect with peers around the world through streaming, forums, and social media. How do these diverse communities go beyond gameplay to support individuals in their search for escapism and creative expression?

The sociability of online gaming, and increasing dominance of video game streaming, has seen gamer culture cross over to the mainstream. In-game clipping service Medal is looking to harness the social power of this lucrative consumer group, to become the next big name in social sharing.

Best known for its vibrant settings and gratuitous violence, Grand Theft Auto V has been given a new lease on life online. A single mod has turned it into a community-led RPG that has as many spectators as it does players, demonstrating how open gaming worlds can foster large-scale collaboration.