Video games have often played a part in almost everyone's life no matter the importance of it. Ranging from playing Mario Party with some friends to make thousands of dollars a year playing video games they set you up to make some amazing relationships with a variety of people who can be similar to you, but more often are different from you.
Video games are one of the few unifying forces in world. I can remember playing games on Xbox with a variety of guys ranging from football players to "nerds" to runners to guys that I sang in the choir with.
Anytime a new Halo or Call of Duty came out, I can remember all the guys getting a copy and us forming groups to play the game together. Another great thing about video games that often gets overlooked is the ability to hang out with your friends even if they are off far away either at college or simply just moved.
Although they aren't physically hanging out with you, being able to talk to them and just play games and have fun with them is a truly wonderful thing that can help you out if you're stressed or can help you if you have a friend who is stressed.
Another common thing I do is play Super Smash Bros. with some of the guys in my fraternity before we would go out to the clubs. This may seem like a very minor thing but I know it helps me and I can almost guarantee it also helps out other people as well.
Video games don't just let you connect with your friends but can also help you connect with those in your family. I can remember when I was little helping my dad with some of the puzzles in one of the Legend of Zelda games.