As the UK is forced to stay at home away from their friends and families many have taken to gaming to socialise.
Across the country, Gamers are getting online to communicate with friends during the lockdown.
This has caused those that would normally be online playing video games to increase their playtime even further with many gamers admitting that they believe the amount of time they have been online to have increased drastically.
However, this does not seem to be the only reason as Sophie; a student whose sixth form has been closed, told me how she mainly uses her time on her console to talk to her friends.
“I’d say I spend around 5 or 6 hours actually playing video games but I’m usually on PlayStation all day just chatting with my friends”
Sophie admitted that she has ‘definitely’ spent more time on games currently as she has ‘more time and [fewer] responsibilities to tend to’
“[Gaming] helps me clear my mind during these chaotic times, which I think is essential” -Sophie
This pandemic is not only keeping friends connected but also helping to form new friendships and reawaken old ones.
Another gamer by the name of Vishal said: “I’ve been playing with a bunch of friends online, both old friends and some new ones. I’ve even found myself playing with people who I have not talked to for a while.”
Vishal told me that gaming is helping him during the pandemic as it allows him to spend a ‘considerable amount of time indoors’ while keeping his mind occupied during these long days.
“Gaming is like an escape into completely different worlds, all of which are unique and [have] their own rules” - Vishal
What are the gaming companies doing to help?
Gaming Console companies are supporting the people which play their games by making sure they can access their online servers.
Jim Ryan: President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, released an announcement on the 24th March discussing how Sony is preserving internet access for Europe.
He told the Sony community: “Sony Interactive Entertainment is working with internet service providers in Europe to manage download traffic to help preserve access for the entire internet community…Players may experience somewhat slower or delayed game downloads but will still enjoy robust gameplay.”
As the government has announced that the lockdown may continue for at least another three weeks gamers hope that these servers will remain functional allowing them to connect and play with their friends.