WHO changes its tune on video games: Now says playing them will help you stay social during lockdown
The world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic and to help beat the lockdown blues, World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging people to stay home and play video games.
The pandemic has prompted the agency to change its stance: from labeling addictive gaming as a mental health disorder in May, 2019, to promoting it in a bid to keep people home and safe.
The WHO is supporting a video gaming initiative called #PlayApartTogether. As part of the initiative, 18 video gaming companies have teamed up to achieve one goal: entertain people as they confine themselves to their homes.
"We are at a crucial moment in defining outcomes of this pandemic. Games industry companies have a global audience — we encourage all to #PlayApartTogether. More physical distancing + other measures will help to flatten the curve + save lives," WHO's Ambassador for Global Strategy, Ray Chambers tweeted.
Responding to Chambers, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted: "Thank you @RaymondChambers for mobilizing the gaming industry to feature @WHO advice on #COVID19 to their users. We all must #PlayApartTogether to beat the #coronavirus."
The initiative will see special events, exclusives, activities and rewards brought to some of the most popular games in the world. Some of the big names to join the initiative are Amazon Appstore, Maysalward, YouTube Gaming, Jam City and Sciplay.
"For 15 years, YouTube has been a community where people do things alone but together through #withme videos — but it's more important now than ever to #StayHome and #PlayApartTogether. Some of the most impactful moments on YouTube have been creators virtually engaging with fans and other gaming creators halfway around the world via live streams. Gamers know how to come together, even when we're apart, so let's be safe during this time and do our part as an industry to flatten the curve," Ryan Wyatt, Global Head of Gaming at YouTube, said in a press statement.
How does gaming help?
According to WHO, gaming becomes addictive when people lose control over it. Prioritizing gaming over other activities to the extent that everything else takes a backseat and holding on to gaming despite the negative consequences suggests addiction.
Some experts believe that video games offer immense benefits — both societal and psychological. "People who play massively multiplayer online games, for example, report a stronger sense of social identity, higher levels of self-esteem and decreased feelings of loneliness," wrote Dr Aaron Langille and Dr Charles Daviau from Laurentian University and Dr Jason Hawreliak from Brock University in The Conversation.
These games often encourage or require players to work together towards a goal, which can foster a sense of community and camaraderie, they added.
Video games also offer a remedy for people who feel isolated during these times. Many video games come with chat options. People can use them to stay connected with friends and family.
What is more, some video gaming companies are offering games for free or at discounted rates. For example, GOG.com is offering 27 free games.
"We normally never do sales, but this isn't a normal situation. For 48 hours, we set the discount as high as the system let us set it, and we hope the Nuclear Throne might make your self-isolation a little easier. Please wash your hands," Vlambeer, a game development studio, tweeted.