Infinity Ward Partners with WHO for #PlayApartTogether Initiative
Infinity Ward has become the latest gaming studio to join the “#PlayApartTogether” awareness campaign, following dozens of others who have already joined to help combat COVID-19. The campaign, which was started by the gaming industry on the behalf of the World Health Organisation, is encouraging social distancing among the global gaming community. Moreover, it has been promoting a positive sense of community online, both among gamers and others currently staying home.
Infinity Ward Joins the PlayApartTogether Program
The #PlayApartTogether campaign has reportedly already gained more than 4.7 billion consumer media impressions; an impressive figure indeed. Thus far, more than 70 gaming companies have joined in the last week, with more likely to join soon. Infinity Ward may be the latest, but they join companies like Activision Blizzard, Twitch, Riot Games, YouTube Gaming, and others. Together, they are raising awareness on behalf of the World Health Organisation towards safe social distancing and self-quarantining; anything which gaming can encourage in order to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With huge numbers of people currently staying at home, many games have seen their active number of users skyrocket. Some developers, like Gearbox, have been releasing new in-game events to try and appeal to their suddenly inflated audience. All told, this is certainly a moment where the gaming industry’s collective voice can be much louder than normal. Hopefully, the will have a widespread positive impact.
In addition to raising awareness, companies participating in #PlayApartTogether have been organising special activities and events, releasing rewards for gamers, or simply doing their best to spread a positive, communal message to their followers. Although people may be isolated at home, the campaign is helping to show that a community spirit can thrive regardless. Of course, there have been many, many cases of positive and supportive communities developing in games over the years; from World of Warcraft guilds, to Call of Duty teams, Destiny sherpas, and many more. Thanks to #PlayApartTogether, more and more people are starting to see how online communities can offer support and inspiration without people ever needing to meet face to face.