Video games have provided endless hours of entertainment since their rise to popularity in the 1970s.
Games have evolved from the humble Pong to complex, story-rich and visually beautiful games that now can support multiplayer functions alongside single-player experiences.
These multiplayer games have allowed friends and even family to come together, even when separated. They have also enabled people to meet others across the world that they never would have known otherwise.
With the current pandemic keeping people socially isolated, multiplayer games have become what can be considered an amazing way to keep people in touch with those they care about and enable socialization where one may otherwise be alone.
The COVID-19 worldwide outbreak has resulted in school closures, shifts to online courses, people having to work from home and general social isolation from meeting people or going into large groups across the globe. This has led to people struggling to keep connected to friends, family and work/school communities.
Multiplayer games have been one way that people have been able to combat isolation, as they allow people to interact at any distance. With there being multiplayer games suitable for every age group, people of any school level can keep in contact and socialize. Work and hobby groups have also utilized multiplayer games to facilitate interaction and keep spirits up. No matter how geographically separated people are, they can still connect and meet new people using multiplayer video games.
Non-online multiplayer games also help keep people connected within the household. Activities such as card and board games promote family bonding during these stressful times.
Altogether, multiplayer games of all varieties provide stress relief for their players alongside connectedness. By providing a distraction from spiraling into panic or sadness during isolation, these games allow people to take a break.
These games also aid in balancing workloads now that people are working from home by helping prevent overworking. Having a means to relax and find joy further helps with keeping connected with people, both within the household and with others by keeping stress lower. Lower stress helps lower the number of conflicts that inevitably arise from being in close quarters with people for long periods.
Being less stressed also encourages people to talk to others in general, as it is easier to find the motivation to keep in contact with loved ones and make new connections online when not bogged down by anxiety. The strategy and team elements of multiplayer games also give the brain a great form of stimulation, which can be important during these times where boredom may be in large supply.
Overall, multiplayer games, both online and non-online versions, promote connectedness and communication during social isolation. Even when separated by thousands of miles, these games allow us to meet new people, make new friends, keep in contact with friends and social groups and with loved ones, all from home. Flatten the curve while staying social and consider picking up one of the hundreds of multiplayer games available, many of which are free to play.
