The new gaming world

Because of the pandemic, people are gradually changing our entertainment habits and the way we spend our leisure time. Right now, on average people spend a lot more time on linear entertainment, including TV, than interactive entertainment, e.g. gaming. However, this gap might gradually be reduced in the future.

With much of the world staying home, the gaming industry is booming. Companies like Tencent and Facebook has been investing heavily in gaming companies. Nintendo reported a staggering 541 percent increase in profit from the previous year. People were obsessed with the company’s successful game Animal Crossing during the lockdown. In animal crossing, you are tasked with transforming a small cartoony island into a village. You get to focus on building things in a slow and peaceful way. The game follows the real-life time and gives you a sense of belonging and community.

Gaming has also become a new social network. People chat with friends about the games and get to play games with their friends. Games are also increasingly tailored to female, especially mobile games.

 

Reference:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/19/technology/facebook-app-gaming.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/business/everyones-lockdown-obsession-with-animal-crossing-lifts-nintendos-profits-to-1-billion.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/arts/animal-crossing-virus.html