How video games are coming into their own

It probably won’t come as a surprise that video gaming has gained popularity during the Covid 19 isolation period, with one report estimating that US video game usage alone increased by 75% during the first week of quarantine. 

It’s a pattern I’ve seen in both my work and personal life too. Numerous parents have reported struggling to convince their children to get off their screens when there is little else for them to do and few permissible reasons for them to go outside. In my social groups, friends have decided that now is the time to finally get that console they’ve been eyeing up and people who’ve previously shown no interest in video games have suddenly become pros. Due to the industry’s controversial history, many will be horrified to see video games on the rise, but what if they could actually become key players in our wellbeing during times of crisis?

From concerns about health to worries about societal and environmental impacts, the video game industry has somehow survived the multitude of criticisms it has been linked to. Parents across the world have lectured many a teenager about the eye sight, muscular-skeletal and obesity problems they risk if they spend too much time gaming and too little time doing more active pursuits. The World Health Organisation has even, controversially, included a diagnosis of 'gaming disorder' in the eleventh edition of it’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) for the first time ever. Media outlets have continually cited video games as significant causes of violent events, often in a way that sensationalises tragedy and neglects other important factors in criminal behaviour. There have also been concerns about the way some video games portray sensitive topics such as sex and sexuality, gender, race and religion. And speaking from the mental health industry, I can tell you that social gaming increases the likelihood of being involved in cyber-bullying, which can be hugely damaging for self-esteem. Even the environmental impact of video games has been investigated and the findings are eye-opening. With more video games reportedly in existence than people worldwide, the carbon footprint for the industry in the US alone is estimated to be equivalent to over 5 million cars. 

But, as any gaming aficionado will tell you, there are benefits. Players can show improved hand-eye coordination and more developed cognitive skills like visual attention, spatial navigation, pattern recognition, non-verbal reasoning and memory. Socially, games can help collaboration and teamwork skills and increase pro-social behaviours like helpfulness. It’s good news for our mental health too, as playing video games has been linked to a reduction in stress, anxiety and depression, as well as increases in self-esteem, resilience and motivation. Who wouldn’t want a little help with those things while in the midst of global pandemic? 

Now we are all required to be in isolation, people are actively looking for ways to support their emotional wellbeing and connect with loved ones, with many looking towards the gaming world. As one teenager recently explained to me, real life is currently really confusing and worrying - what a great time, then, to escape to a new, virtual world where Covid 19 doesn’t exist. Where the routines and rules remain, comfortingly, the same as always, yet there is plenty of scope for freedom and choice too. Where the obstacles don’t seem as insurmountable and the villain not as frightening. Where you have much more control over yourself and your fate and, as the hero, you know exactly what you need to do to overcome the enemy. If you don’t manage it, you can just start over.

And you can share this experience with friends, or family. Couples can connect over settlement formation now that meals out are off the menu and parents can fight with avatars for a change instead of their actual children. 

Clearly we can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore the downsides of gaming. However, with isolation so psychologically taxing, we need to look for the things that will help us cope and video games could be an important strategy if we use it well. There are many non-violent, family friendly games that could offer a predictable distraction from some of the sadness and uncertainty around right now, as long as we ensure to include self-care, physical activity and other amusements too. 

Oh, and for the environmentally conscious among you, the gaming industry is working on reducing its carbon footprint. In September 2019, some of the biggest companies formally committed to an initiative called ‘Playing for the Planet’, working towards a 30 million tonne reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030. As a gamer, you can do your bit by buying second hand, moderating your use of consoles, turning them off when not in use and downloading games where possible.