Over this pandemic stretch on for eons, how many of you and your friends have turned to video games? You should! It is a thriving community that stretches the globe.
In fact, video games have become a more common escape from daily annoyances for millions of new players around the world. Every type of gaming is experiencing a surge in popularity, and more people are engaging with them than ever before. During worldwide lockdowns, it was found that over 80% of consumers participated in video games and video game culture. The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have set up an optimal excuse for the “elderly” to pick up controllers and teenage hermits not to drop them. Our jobs and responsibilities have become almost exclusively virtual, and since commuting or mingling have disappeared for many, there’s nothing else to do but play video games.
One only needs to look at the stock tips of investors to understand that gaming is a passion that runs deep, and as such, there are billions to be made. Various companies have also optimized their products and services to be perfect for the average gamer under lockdown rules. Just look at Sony, who is giving away handfuls of games for free on their virtual Playstation Store to encourage gaming (and buying more games).
How the Popularity Affects Average Gamers?
Some problems have arisen for the average gamer due to the uptick in the number of gamers worldwide, such as the availability of different hardware. Go ahead and try to buy a PS5 or even a PS4 controller on any given weekend during the lockdown. If you manage to get one, I’ll pay for it myself (disclaimer: I really won’t but try to find one!). The introduction of the PS5 to the world has caused some good but brought on a whole lot of confusion and mania. Since its release, they have been very difficult to come across unless you have a guy who knows a guy that can get you one for only double the retail price. And all this just for a new system to play old games, as so far, there are only a handful of exclusive games to the system. To look on the bright side, now players can kill each other in the same Call of Duty, but with slightly better graphics and a controller that vibrates differently. Though the point remains that games are highly lucrative and extremely engaging, but pray tell, where are the women? Are they in on this? The stressed-out moms and dads? Do they know of this mental elixir designed to take your mind off regular life? It’s not that we won’t share. It’s mostly that they don’t believe in the power of the console to deliver more than just goods for kids.
Benefits of Upsurge in Gamers
Suffice to say, the upsurge of gaming in the pandemic has brought on a lot more good than bad. It has given millions of people who’ve never touched a controller the opportunity to become full-blown gaming nerds and to build connections to their friends and family members through a shared passion for sports, adventure, and killing (virtually, of course). Video games provide more benefits than simple enjoyment but have been proven to have many other mental and even physical pros. According to multiple studies, video games have been proven to improve social skills, boost coordination, and develop better decision-making in many people. The benefits of video games are expressed in greater detail here.
There are so many demographics missing out on the benefits of video games, but the one I feel would benefit most is parents. Former NBA star Rick Fox understood this concept and was able to bond with his son on a deeper level through their shared enjoyment of video games. He realized he couldn’t connect with his son due to a gulf of differences given by Rick’s obsession with playing real basketball, while his son indulged in playing many similar competitive endeavors on a screen. Learn more about this story here.
All in all, video games are becoming something of a pastime for kids, parents, and even grandparents alike to enjoy and connect over, and I, for one, am all for it. Way back, video games were blamed for nothing more than violence and gore or screen addiction. Yet, today they are multiplayer engagements of all kinds, including card games that can help you earn cryptocurrencies to role-playing games that can immerse you in a world like no other. Video games have been shown to benefit us mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have seen these results manifest in my own life and the lives of my friends and family. Video games and their culture tend to have negative connotations surrounding them, but when analyzed on a deeper level, video games will probably be the board games that families of the future bond over, and for many reasons, I see this as an absolute win.
Gramps, your time is coming too. Better grab a controller.