According to the latest stats from ERA, Brits spent a soaring £9.7bn on digital entertainment in 2021 with game sales up 14% compared to pre-covid numbers. While it’s easy to dismiss this as simple “lockdown-boredom”, the popularity of online gaming is about much more than killing time. It’s about community, especially in Scotland where many young people have found a sense of belonging through gaming.
The fact that Scots have discovered the benefit of online gaming should come as no surprise. A study from Oxford University has shown a possible link between playing video games and improved mental health, which is likely to extend to other forms of gaming too. But why is that? And how will it affect the future of gaming?
Overcoming challenges together
When someone sits with their phone or tablet, or in front of their laptop, many assume they are being unsociable, which is why gaming tends to be branded as a somewhat reclusive activity. But the pandemic changed that perception and we are now starting to see the many positive benefits of playing online games, both from a sociable and psychological perspective.
So, when someone gets ready to play live casino games with their friends online on sites like https://www.casinohawks.com/ there is much more to it than winning or losing. There is a social element too, namely the experience of failing and succeeding together, which strengthens our connection.
A social lifeline during uncertain times
This became evident during the pandemic when Scotland went into lockdown. Young people, who found themselves cut off from usual social activities, including university and work, struggled to cope – particularly those who had disabilities and health conditions that made them more vulnerable to the disease. They needed something to help them stay connected with their social networks outside of the home and gaming provided that for them.
As a result, gaming developers are becoming more aware of the need to continue the effort to make gaming more inclusive and more sociable. And who knows? Maybe Scotland will see many new gaming communities popping up in the years to come where young people can meet, virtually or physically, to play against each other online.
The future of online gaming
Some experts believe that the future of online gaming will have a much greater focus on virtual reality. This is seen as a way of bridging the gap between the physical and virtual world, the ultimate gaming experience.
However, mobile phone games are still hugely popular with players as it’s an easy way to access games and connect with friends and we can therefore expect changes across a wide range of industries – from gambling and betting to toy giant LEGO that is currently expanding its digital games. Given the positive impact gaming has had on many young Scots during the pandemic, and studies like Oxford’s University’s showing how online games positively correlate with well-being, we are bound to see more movement in the area.
