How Playing Games Benefitted My Long-Distance Relationship

Gaming can get pretty tedious when you’re stuck in the same habits, playing the same genres, etc. I decided to get out of my comfort zone and ask my girlfriend if she wanted to play some co-op games together during our regular video calls. It’s tough living hundreds of miles away from her, so, apart from monthly visits, our face-to-face time is limited to these calls. I wondered if adding gaming to them would make things more fun.

Thankfully, it was a sound decision. Lately, we’ve been playing co-operative and even competitive games together for a few weeks now, and are having a blast every time. The one we’ve been frequenting the most is Left 4 Dead 2, which is one of my most played games of all time. I know all the tricks and mechanics, so when we play versus matches against each other, I typically wipe the floor with her. Of course, there’s lots of playful trash-talking and I even find myself losing a few rounds to her, to her immense pleasure.

Another game we’ve been playing is Battleblock Theater. More co-operative than our Left 4 Dead 2 matches, we engage in problem-solving and ample communication to succeed. There are moments in puzzle games like this where patience and mutual comprehension are necessary, so it’s a trait that both of us can stand to keep growing to make for the best possible relationship, learning on a fun platform.

We’ve been able to play so much together thanks to two things: my gigantic game library that I’ve amassed from bundles and sales since 2013, and Steam’s “Remote Play Together” functionality. Currently, I have 165 titles that support this proprietary software, which allows Ashley to remote into my gaming session to play as if it were a couch co-op session. The software isn’t perfect, as we’ve struggled to get it to work with some titles like Death Road to Canada, but it’s still pretty magical.

Bonding through games isn’t something that’s ideal for every relationship, as not everyone is a fan of video gaming. Thankfully, my girlfriend’s meager interest was more than enough for me to introduce this idea and for it to turn into a staple of our companionship. Of the 186 hours I have logged on Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam, some of my favorites have been with my girlfriend, with several more to come as we explore the game’s expansive workshop maps and mods.

A lot of times in a relationship, taking a leap is a necessary step to reach new heights. One that took no second thought was gaming with her. Two of my passions coming together has provided both of us with immense amounts of happiness and has given us a lot to look forward to in these particularly dark times. If you’re in a relationship and want to add some flair to it, I highly recommend bringing this idea to the table. Just make sure that if you’re playing something cooperative that you have patience. Also, if you’re facing off together, make sure neither of you feels the urge to rage quit!