The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every industry, and gaming is no exception. Unlike some other sectors, though, video games may emerge from the outbreak in a better position than they started. So far, 2020 in video gaming has had its ups and downs, but the industry’s performance has been positive overall.
Whether it’s good or bad, one thing is for sure: COVID-19 has caused some shifts in gaming. Here’s a closer look at the specifics.
More Gamers Than Ever
The video game industry has been growing for years, and the pandemic hasn’t hindered that at all. In fact, you could even say it’s seen a growth spurt. According to a study from the NDP Group, 35% of gamers play more often than they did before the outbreak began.
People haven’t just been playing more — they’ve also been playing on more devices. The same study showed that 6% of gamers have started using a new system since the onset of COVID-19. You don’t have to think long and hard about why this trend might come about, either.
Thanks to social distancing regulations, people have been spending more time in their homes. That leads to more video game releases and increased playing.
Trends in Pro Gaming
The pro gaming landscape has also undergone some changes because of COVID-19. Twitch saw a 50% increase in viewing hours between March and April alone. For the pro gamers who stream on Twitch, that can represent a substantial increase in income.
In-person gaming tournaments may not be possible right now, but that doesn’t mean tourneys have disappeared altogether. The gaming community has held online tournaments for years and is doing so even more now, for obvious reasons. Esports championships in 2020 will mostly, if not entirely, be online.
Effects on Developers and Publishers
Perhaps the most substantial impact COVID-19 has had on the industry is on the companies who make games. The pandemic has produced some mixed results for publishers and developers. In some areas, the industry is thriving, but not everything on the horizon looks positive.
Total video game sales reached $977 million this May, the highest that figure’s been since 2008. With more people playing games, the makers of video games, consoles, and accessories are seeing astronomical sales. Even as lockdowns come to a close, more people have taken up gaming as a hobby.
For video games still in development, though, things haven’t been as positive. Facing new restrictions amid the virus, some developers have had to delay their release schedules, needing more time to finish games. Highly anticipated video game releases like “The Last of Us Part II” and “Ghost of Tsushima” saw coronavirus-caused delays.
The Pandemic Won’t Kill the Gaming Industry
Despite facing some challenges, 2020 in video gaming has been a mostly positive year for the industry. Developers will have to adapt to some changes, like remote work and slower supply chains, but sales spikes may compensate for that. Quarantine has made veteran gamers pick up the controller more as well as introduced a new wave of consumers to the medium.
The pandemic may cripple some industries, but video games won’t be one of them. If current trends continue, 2020 could even be a landmark year for gaming.