Inspired by the concept of traditional book clubs, The Game Club aims to assist gamers in forming friendships in adulthood

Image credit: The Game Club

In 2025, Guy Blomberg and Shay Leighton launched The Game Club, a social network that mirrors the classic book club model but focuses on video games. Members engage with the same game monthly and assemble in smaller groups to share their experiences.

By its first anniversary, The Game Club successfully brought together over 1,000 gamers from six different countries. A survey revealed that 88% of these participants formed new friendships, while 78% reported feeling less isolated.

"We’ve crafted something that's not only a homage to the gaming world but also connects people who are otherwise far apart," Blomberg shared with GamesIndustry.biz. "This year has allowed us to fine-tune and identify what works efficiently in our beta phase."

The Game Club selects "overlooked classics," described by Blomberg as games that were well-received but didn't enjoy widespread attention. Members participate in Clubhouses, groups of up to ten, where they can gather in person or digitally to discuss the game.

Clubhouses are organized based on criteria like age, geography, time zone, and accessibility. If the available Clubhouses don't meet their requirements, members can create new ones. The Game Club offers hosts guidelines, resources, and training to manage these groups, even helping to secure venues for physical meetings.

Blomberg explained, "Every member receives a code for the same game every month, making this community so unique. We deliberately choose lesser-known games and diversify genres monthly."

November 2026's game of the month is Perfectly Paranormal's The Holy Gosh Darn. Image credit: Perfectly Paranormal

Heading into November 2026, the game being spotlighted is Perfectly Paranormal’s The Holy Gosh Darn. Previously highlighted games include MindThunk’s Ctrl Alt Ego, Triple Topping’s Welcome to Elk, Unbound Creations’ Just Crow Things, and Moral Anxiety Studio’s Roadwarden.

The club also directly collaborates with the game developers and publishers involved. "It's an opportunity for developers to discuss old projects or promote new ones. We receive many suggestions from our members, and if a game fits our criteria and the developer is agreeable, we consider it."

The driving idea behind The Game Club was to foster new friendships among adults. Blomberg expressed nostalgia over conversations about major game releases on social media. "Nowadays, it's tough to have those dialogues unless it's a huge title like Grand Theft Auto. It's rewarding to create these discussions in small groups and the broader community."

"There are numerous robust communities, and The Game Club aims to support them in creating more genuine friendships."

Each Clubhouse has a community member host monthly gatherings, often arranged in a local pub or café, with curated questions to spark conversation about the game and fellow members.

Blomberg has aspirations to broaden The Game Club, reaching educational institutions and international gaming groups in its second year. "We plan to work more with colleges and universities, establishing Game Clubs on campus, and collaborate with global gaming events and organizations. We aim to support these vibrant and strong communities in fostering authentic friendships."

Joining clubs and participating in events presents an excellent avenue to meet like-minded individuals, yet forming lasting friendships is a different challenge. The Game Club was created to address this issue.