The COVID-19 pandemic has driven people globally to spend more time at home. More and more people turned towards gaming for escape and entertainment to cope with being home. For this reason, the gaming community witnessed an upsurge in consumer demand and disruption like never before.
Further, the gaming industry at large had to adopt consumption habits. This is because people worldwide lookout for ways to connect with one other while being safe.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people streamed and played games online, bringing and arranging former players. The rise in interest accelerated some shifts, including the increasing popularity of mobile gaming. Further, excitement was boosted by introducing new titles and presenting next-generation consoles. Not only this but there was a massive boost in the popularity of online casino games. Now, that’s something! You can check the casinos list and decide if this online gaming category suits your interests!
With the growth in online gaming, the gaming companies adjusted according to the growth. However, its effects are likely to continue, affecting the industry for years to come.
During the initial months of the pandemic, online gaming was one of the popular activities from February to April. Generation Z and millennials spent more time. The online gaming medium was more convenient during an initial stay-at-home order, lockdowns, and social distancing.
Why Has the Online Gaming Industry Boomed During the Pandemic
The reasons behind the upsurge in online gaming listed as follows are:
From Home to the Classroom
Gaming wasn’t just for entertainment during the pandemic. The role has evolved on a much higher level and started showing its true worth in other walks of life. Gaming, often considered bound and confined in bedrooms, has now shown worth in classrooms.
A survey conducted by Forbes earlier this year reveals that half of the teachers indulge in online gaming in virtual learning to engage students in UK and USA. Further, 91% of teachers claimed it was helpful in these countries.
A traditional stigma might suggest online gaming is a hurdle in education. However, the reality is that quite a few famous titles are explicitly designed to facilitate learning. Popular video games have already started to weave in educational modes, helping games learn more about the world they are set in.
Allow Progress with Fair Pricing
One can’t overlook the fact that the industry growth is driven by people who play games 24/7. Further, the recent love for online games has seen a continued price in it.
During the pandemic, when most players were experiencing financial distress, this was detrimental to the sector, making progress impossible. Studies reveal that the colossal cost that comes with it has gradually ushered gamers out of the door.
In a recent survey, it was explained that half of the gamers dip into their savings or make use of credit cards to play games. This means that playing games have become hugely expensive. Even once you buy a game, the in-game purchasing never stops, and you are tempted for upgrades.
This was tough for Gen Z and millennials looking for entertainment options while locked at home. With the pandemic rise, game owners shifted and presented cheaper game models, keeping you hooked for a longer time.
On the other hand, we can’t allow the upward trajectory of pricing to continue. Therefore, this means we must empower those who matter the most. In this case, the gamers and industry have just started to level up.
The Gaming Situation During Lockdown
In June 2020, time spent on video gaming was reportedly increased in double digits among several regions. Reportedly, around 52 percent of Latin Americans spent time playing video games. Asia-Pacific regions were second on the list, with 46 percent user engagement.
The more popular types during the period were multiplayer and fighting games. The list popularly includes MOBA and battle royale games. A survey conducted among European audiences suggested that playing video games online made the player feel less violated, and they were happy overall. The multiplayer games players were highly optimistic about the gaming experience during isolation.
The Gaming Sales after COVID-19
If we look back at gamer spending in the year 2020, around the world, 12 percent of in-game content and paid downloads are increased by 21 percent. In turn, highlight the growth of digital revenues. Further, a significant decrease in physical sales of video games has been observed in recent years. Moreover, during a pandemic, the closure of spaces has also boosted the online gaming industry.
The Popular Game Streaming Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, the number of gaming video content viewers suppressed by around 1.2 billion. The number was 944 million a year back. The prevalent streaming platforms included Twitch, followed by YouTube gaming, and further followed by Facebook gaming.
The live streaming platforms provide the ability to interact among users, enhance the experience, and they all share a mutual feeling of viewing a game. In 2020, over 1 million users watched content on the live streaming platform Twitch, which is reportedly doubled if one saw the numbers in 2019. During the pandemic course, streaming websites didn’t only include new users, but the number of users was significantly boosted.