The article analyzes the main factors of the development of the computer multiplayer gaming industry, which are associated primarily with the specifics of the socialization of individuals in the process of implementing virtual gaming communication. An important component of socialization in this environment is the construction of its alter-ego through game characters, through which the players interact and their self-presentation takes place. The need to distinguish its gaming character among many others has received a response in the gaming computer industry, which, depending on the online gaming genre, has begun to actively develop a variety of virtual trading platforms and additional services markets, where the payment for acquiring virtual items is made for real money. The desire of players for success not only in the gaming space, but also in real life has led to the emergence of such a phenomenon as cybersport, carried out in specially equipped halls with visual spaces and commentators. Cyber tournaments attract a large number of sponsors and advertisers, which allows organizers to assign prize pools of tens of thousands of millions of dollars. Accordingly, in addition to gaining popularity, cyber sportsman has the opportunity to receive decent fees. The demand for expanding the entertainment base of the computer industry has led to the emergence of streaming - online broadcasts, enabling video game lovers to passively watch the gameplay, accompanied by jokes and original comments. Thus, the gaming industry flexibly responds to the needs of users for self-realization, gaining success, earnings and passive recreation, providing great opportunities for their implementation.
