This year’s theme is particularly poignant because Community is at the very heart of everything we do. As Nintendo Players UK, it’s our mission to bring like-minded people from all over the UK under one umbrella. We support the local communities, who each hold their own identity, and flag for their region. What it means to each individual may differ, but we all come together for one cause: Our love of Nintendo! Many of NPUK’s Regional communities are now over ten years old, and the longevity has created an inclusive community for newer generations to discover as time goes by.
On the more personal side. I am co-Founder of Nintendo North Wales, and we were “born” in 2012, but were pretty invisible locally until post-lockdown. As someone who was bullied for being a gamer, I felt like I had to lead a double identity because I was that afraid of being judged. But even through all the years I was “hiding”, it was nice to have created a community that I felt I truly belonged to when I didn’t fit in anywhere else.
My husband and I set up NNW with a friend we StreetPassed with, and realised quite early on that consistency was important if we wanted to grow. We didn’t talk to people initially, we StreetPassed with them, and if they read the greeting message, they found us that way! It wasn’t until we changed from “StreetPass” to “Nintendo” that we started growing properly. (Nintendo was infinitely more searchable, and it was nice to gain permission from Nintendo UK, as long as we declared clearly that we were an independent community)
Lockdown changed a lot of things for us. Older members moved out of the area, the kids became adults, and the dynamics shifted. We had gone a bit cliquey before lockdown as the core regulars were always the same guys. I did a lot of reflection in lockdown, and came out of it with resilience and strength in my (one) identity! Now, as Nintendo North Wales, we pride ourselves as an inclusive and safe community. I’m proud of where we’ve got to and all we’ve achieved, and what I love most these days, is that some of our regular members count down with anticipation for our next event!
Let’s hear from some other NPUK community members about their thoughts:
“Community is a network of people who you can socialise with with common interests and doing things you can enjoy as a shared experience.”
Robyn McManus, NPUK Social Media Team
“When I think of the term “Community” I think friendship, trust and support. These are all important to anyone dealing with mental health. My Team and I strive to keep our community going with weekly online meetups and monthly physical meet ups. I hope that us keeping things going is helping even just one person who’s staying silent like the community helps me keep going.”
Will Ince, Liverpool/ Admin NPUK
“Being a part of the NPUK community this past 10+ years has meant alot to me. As someone on the spectrum it is not always easy for me to make connections with others, so it’s been very helpful to be part of a community where many share my ‘special interest’ (which is video games). Before organising Nintendo community events I used to organise events for the Sonic community. So it was great for my confidence to be able to transfer the skills I gained during those times, and to meet a whole new set of great people. Since I moved to the island of Ireland in 2018 it has been hard for me to keep in touch with the people I knew growing up in England. So being a part of Nintendo Players UK (& Ireland) has, further, allowed me to remain in contact with people ‘over yonder’. It has also allowed me to meet and share experiences with local fans, even over the pandemic when the meet-ups carried on online. My mental health was in the toilet for a lot of the COVID years, and I really feel the online events helped keep me going. Not one of us get paid to organise or attend Nintendo Players UK meet-ups. But the fact so many of us do and have been loyal over the years demonstrates that it brings value beyond money. I hope to remain a member for many years to come.”
Helen Doherty, Donegal.
“Community- a place where people can go to feel included, where everyone supports each other. In our Nintendo players community we encourage everyone to join together to play as little or as much as they like, to talk about games, to find people they can relate to, and feel at home with.”
Ant Haigh, Basingstoke/ Admin NPUK