Staying Connected : Communication Through Video Games
Diego Bichara
1 . Communication is Key : You have probably heard that phrase before , but do you realize how true it actually is ? According to the Interaction Design Foundation , “ human beings evolved as social animals , and with that evolution of social behavior came the need to communicate ,” ( Dam ). Before the Covid-19 pandemic , most people used to go out with friends , visit family and see other people through their daily activities . However , with this new situation the world is faced with , those little moments of social interaction have been stripped away from the population . Another effect is the added free time to one ’ s day , as activities like work or school are now done from home ; therefore , day to day commuting has decreased . With more time comes boredom , and with fewer people to satisfy the need for attention , the effects of social deprivation are worsened . Surprisingly ( or not ), people have turned to video games for help .
2 . The Recent Growth of Video Games : With social integration removed , video games have seen a massive surge in sales since the first days of the pandemic . While other companies were struggling to stay afloat , Verizon reported that on “ April 9 , [ videogame sales increased by ] 115 percent ” in the United States “ since social distancing guidelines were put into effect nationally ” ( Sloat , 2020 ). Furthermore , the release of the PS5 has made massive headlines , further popularizing the buying of videogame hardware , specifically consoles . So why are video games suddenly becoming more popular ?
3 . Video Games , Friendship and Communication : Online gaming allows players to communicate with each other through features such as voice channels . Apps like Discord for PC gaming have also become more popular as they serve the same function as console chats or game chats on consoles . Groups of friends can meet up through these methods of communication and have online gatherings where they can talk , laugh , and play together , giving the participants some sense of social interaction . This can serve the same purpose as having Zoom meetings with friends , which has also become a popular alternative to meeting in person to avoid infections . Crossplay is a big feature in many games , allowing player bases from different platforms ( Xbox - PlayStation - Nintendo Switch - PC ) to communicate and play with one another , which further increases the reach of console chats and games chats . Gaming can also be done individually to pass the time . Although it will not help much with social interaction , it does wonders killing the extra time and boredom in a person ’ s quarantine day . Also , use the Internet ! If there are any schools or careers you ’ re interested in , look them up . You might learn a lot , and you might save yourself some time if you find out that you don ’ t like something as much as you initially thought . Look for what other people have to say . Many teenagers and young adults talk about their experiences . Through videos and articles , people can tell you how they made their decision , what their interests were , how they did in school , how they chose a career , how they applied , what the process was like , and where they were accepted to .
4 . Double-Edged Sword : Although video games indeed pose a great benefit to people who are struggling form social withdrawal , it is not 100 % good or healthy . Internet Gaming Disorder ( IGD ), is a condition where a person engages in videogame use for long periods of time , causing conditions such as social withdrawal and other health problems . IGD “ has been associated with loneliness , low self-worth , poor social skills , and social acceptance , poorer wellbeing , dysfunctional coping , and psychopathology ,” meaning that while moderated use of video games is great for connecting with friends and interacting socially , excess use can lead to further issues ( Stavropoulos et al ., 2018 ). All in all , video games are an amazing tool to connect with friends during quarantine , which is exactly what people need and why their sales have skyrocketed recently .
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