Gaming and esports really had a moment to shine when we were all stuck indoors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ever since the pandemic hit, more and more people have turned to video games to deal with the isolation as well as a means to entertain themselves. The past few years have seen the video gaming industry make an upward trajectory in terms of popularity, partly due to the success esports brings into the fold.
Because of esports, video games have been able to thrive. Its multi-million dollar tournaments have shown the rest of the world that you can earn a living by gaming. And now with COVID-19 ever-present in our lives, gaming has become all the more important.
Gaming offers a sense of escapism, especially at a time like this. It gives you access to a new world where you are free from the restraints of real life. Unfortunately, it is still often a taboo topic of discussion, especially in terms of a career choice. Gaming, in general, is more than that though; it’s a hobby and a passion rolled into one. And that couldn’t have been more relevant than today’s gaming landscape.
Video games have become an everyday activity now for many people across the globe. From your friends Instagram stories to international publications, you see it everywhere you look these days. This has not only driven up the number of players in a particular game but also any and all sales for the game. A quick look at Twitch.TV and it’ll tell you all you need to know about how well gaming has been on the streaming platform.
If players are not playing a game, they’re watching their favourite player/streamer do it. This, in turn, generates the hype needed to want to try something new, especially in the world of gaming. Influence plays a big part in picking up gaming, which is predominantly found over the internet. And given how we’re all stuck indoors with nothing to do but stare at our phones and laptops, it was only a matter of time before it spreads like wildfire.
If this has inspired you to pick up the controller or a keyboard and mouse, scroll down to find out which genres are the best to kill time with and for which games in particular.
[Featured and Hero Image Credit: Lorenzo Herrera]
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur.