The online world is counting down to 2025

How’s that for a New Year’s Eve party? Fireworks, unlimited free drinks, and it’s open all night.

But first, you’ll need to acquire some key items as you explore the fantasy world of Azeroth.

Thousands of people around the world will be spending their New Year’s Eve inside World of Warcraft, one of the hugely popular online worlds where gamers will be celebrating as the clock strikes midnight.

Cassie, who streams on Twitch as geekycassie, will log in with some of her 9,200 followers.

She’s also previously celebrated the New Year inside the RPG The Elder Scrolls Online and Nintendo’s beautiful and colorful Animal Crossing, where you build a new home on an island paradise.

“Everyone in the game was celebrating and the villagers came and decorated the island like it was a New Year’s party.

“It was really lovely,” she says.

In World of Warcraft, Cassie remembers: “People were throwing things in the air to make it look like fireworks.”

Festive themes have become increasingly common in online games, and many are based on special limited-time events in December and January.

Capitalizing on the season isn’t just limited to gaming, but it allows developers to give their communities a reason to log in at a time of year when they might be distracted by family gatherings or another big entertainment release.

Anyone playing Fortnite – an average of about 30 million people a day – can take a break to look at the sky.

They will see a descending disco ball, followed by a firework explosion in the shape of the game’s famous llama.

Because people all over the world play this game, these demonstrations took place all day, every hour last year.

Cassie says the game is really fun, where “people celebrate and do a lot of emoting (dancing) when things are going on”.

“It feels like you’re in a virtual world and there are lots of people celebrating the gaming experience with you,” she says.

For anyone who hasn’t tried it before, Cassie says one advantage of a virtual party is that it can save a lot of money compared to a real-world night.

“It’s a great way to start the year, because as much as people use games to escape, it’s also a way to connect with other people.”

Roblox is also a popular destination, and various celebrities and brands have used it to host their own spaces.

Paris Hilton hosted a party to welcome 2022 in her themed world, and reportedly performed a DJ set.

RPG RuneScape and Call of Duty also have their own holiday-themed events going on in the new year to see in 2025.

Not all online gaming necessarily involves massively multiplayer online games.

Johan, who lives in Malaysia, will play Just Dance at midnight.

The game, which encourages players to mimic on-screen moves to score points, is a living room favorite, but Johan will do it on a live stream for thousands of people around the world.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” he says.

“Being able to connect with so many people is an absolute blessing.”

He’s going to be raising money for a charity called Project Hope on the stream. Anyone who donates will be able to request a song for Johan to dance to.

“I’m not the kind of person who goes clubbing or partying. I prefer to stay at home and relax,” says Johan.

“I’m sure there are other people who feel the same way but who want some company.”

according to nhsNearly one in eight people aged 17 to 22 said they often or always felt lonely.

Some have blamed online games for this, but streamers like Johan believe they actually help more than harm.

“Streaming is a great medium to connect with audiences who are looking for company at a time when they may be feeling lonely,” he says.

“It’s a beautiful thing.”

He also believes that there are many people who cannot go out either because of limited mobility or because it is too expensive.

Twitch streamer Warwick agrees that community is a great reason to go live while others may leave the house to party.

Warwick, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, will play party games, before live streaming various fireworks displays from around the world.

This is something they have been doing for the last two years.

“It’s like inviting people from all over the world to a party,” says Warwick.

“And the best part is there’s no clean up afterward, so it’s even better, I’d say.”

Warwick says the new year has become an important moment to connect with followers, many of whom may be feeling lonely or isolated.

“You may move away, you may lose the family and friends around you,” he says.

“The great thing about streaming is that you can connect with so many people.”

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