Shy people are more likely to make more friends in online games, according to a new study by psychologists at the University of Münster.

The research, published in Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, found that shy gamers used online games differently from their more outgoing counterparts.

The psychologists noted that although shyness can lead to a smaller circle of friends in real life, the gamers who were timid in face-to-face interactions used online video games “to compensate or overcome their shyness”. They concluded that real-life shyness “is a predictor for the number of online gaming friendships.”

The paper, titled ‘The relationship between online video game involvement and gaming-related friendships among emotionally sensitive individuals’, found that online games hold the potential to be socially advantageous for shy individual.

It also noted how it is not just about having online friendships, as gamers were able to meet them offline as well.

However, the researchers cautioned that the study was conducted using a relatively small sample size of German gamers. They added that more research is needed on the subject.

For those looking to “overcome their traditional social difficulties and generate new friendships” – in the words of the psychologists – online games could be just what the doctor ordered.

Here are the top five games for making online friends:

  1. World of Warcraft - The biggest massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) of them all, World of Warcraft boasts over 7 million subscribers. That’s a lot of friendship potential.

  2. EVE Online - This sci-fi online classic allows gamers to participate in a universe teeming with opportunities. Players can mine, trade, or fight. But, most importantly, they can chat.

  3. Star Wars: The Old Republic - Supposedly better than the Star Wars prequels – this MMORPG is developed by Bioware, the team responsible for the Mass Effect series. Be friendly, and the force will be with you.

  4. Team Fortress 2 - Shooters probably aren’t the best place to make friends, but Valve’s free-to-play FPS has so many users that we couldn’t ignore it. A great place to meet people, and to virtually shoot them in the face.

  5. Guild Wars 2 - This high fantasy offering lets players inhabit a persistent world with plenty of people – over 3 million copies have been sold.