People are quickly finding out that being isolated from the rest of the world kinda sucks. Yes we have social media, but traditional forms of social media lack presence. The method of communication in social media is asynchronous—you say something and it could be hours or days before I read what you said. Video games provide a way to reduce feelings of isolation and build community even when separated by half the world.

Video games are more immersive than Zoom or Skype. Yes, virtual meeting software allows us to see each other and communicate in real time. However, video games provide users with an environment they can manipulate. The ability to manipulate one’s environment makes the experience more real.

The following is a link to a Tech Crunch article about video games being social platforms. Check it out. It’s definitely worth the read.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/02/virtual-worlds-video-games-coronavirus-social-networks-fortnite-animal-crossing/