Online gaming is a great tool for people to connect and communicate. It can also serve as a great escape during tough times. This seems to be the case right now in China, as CNN reports that gaming numbers are on the rise during the coronavirus outbreak.
The coronavirus first appeared in December and has spread to over 59,000 people since then. The disease has claimed over 1,300 lives and continues to spread. As a result of this, Chinese authorities have taken precautions that have left many indoors without a lot to do.
Without being able to go outside or go to work, many Chinese citizens have turned to online gaming as a means of communication. Gaming is a great way to kill time and communicate with family and friends without risking exposure to the virus.
Online gaming numbers are going up
Multiple games have hit record numbers during the quarantine. Tencent’s Honor of Kings hit its all-time peak during the week of January 30. This game, along with Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds and League of Legends, are twice as popular as they were in China during the 2019 Lunar New Year per streaming numbers.
All three of these games are popular multiplayer games that people can play with others. As such, they can be used as a great means for entertainment and communication during these tough times. “I think video games can be a good distraction and help maintain one’s mental health,” Clement Wen, a mechanic in Foshan, Guangdong, told CNN.
China is a huge market for gaming companies, and they will more than likely attempt to capitalize on this situation. CNN reports that gaming companies have already introduced new promotions and that some games have even become free-to-play.
The coronavirus doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, so it’s likely that gaming numbers will continue to rise in the coming weeks. Good luck, have fun, and most importantly, stay safe.
