Gaming in the time of COVID-19
Like many others, I use video games as a way to disconnect and escape from what’s going on in the world. They offer a space where I can experience stories from the fantastical to the mundane, which has been a necessity for me in 2020. I’ve needed a way to get away from everything that’s happening, and gaming has offered this, while also offering me an opportunity to reflect on the world (see my article on Dandara for an example of this).
Recently, I skimmed an article on OneZero that focused on how gaming during the pandemic was starting to feel like work, and how that’s a good thing. But, even as a streamer, gaming has never felt like work to me. Gaming has always felt like a new way to experience new stories. I’ve always been an avid reader, and playing games showed me another way that people can tell the stories that matter to them, that can shake us to the core or comfort us and make us feel seen. And shoot, some of the games are just things like Mario Kart and Overcooked that test the strength of your relationships. (volume warning for the clip)
Twitch clip of RydeHappi 5258 and Pizza_Yeti playing Overcooked 2
Gaming in the time of COVID-19 has been a practice of connecting with myself, friends, and new people who I have deeply enjoyed meeting. I’m a part of Brown Girl Gamer Code, this community has been so incredibly important to me during this time. It’s a group of women who have all come together around our love of gaming, coding, and tech and it’s the first time I’ve been a part of something like it. We’ve had movie nights and game nights throughout the entirety of sheltering at home and it’s help me feel less isolated at home. It’s also been a space of encouragement as we come together to challenge ourselves to try new things like the 100 Days of Code challenge (I didn’t end up completing it, but I learned a lot).
Even apart from BGGC, I’ve gotten to connect with friends over games like Overwatch and Stardew Valley which both offer online multiplayer. My sister and I found out that some of the card games that we play are available on Tabletop Simulator. Gaming has added a lot of value to my life during this time because it allows a release. But it also allows an opportunity to connect in ways that I can’t currently in real life.
Reflecting on the ways that gaming has taken over a large part of my life has also made me realize what I’m missing. I’ve been leaning towards games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, Stardew Valley, and Overwatch (which is the outlier). Rollercoaster Tycoon and Stardew Valley are both games where you build something out of nothing.
Screenshot of a park I built in Rollercoaster Tycoon
Experiences where you take what you have and you create something new and share it with the people around you. Stardew is great because it allows you to build things together with up to 4 people (unless you’re using mods) and you can all contribute to growing a farm in a relaxed community.
Twitch Clip of Pizza_Yeti playing Rollercoaster Tycoon and forgetting to open the food shops.
Overwatch has been an interesting addition to my regular games. It’s not one that I would have imagined playing even a year ago, but I’ve really begun to enjoy it. I switch between this and Splatoon 2, which I’ve come to adore. While I don’t agree with the decisions that Blizzard has made, nor am I happy about the fact that there are no playable Black women in the game, I’ve loved learning how to get better at playing different characters. I focus on support characters (shoutout to my main Baptiste), which fits with the role that I’ve often played in life. I’ve always been the person who’s there to help take care of others and aide them as they try to get back to feeling their best. So it’s been interesting to see that reflected in my pick for Overwatch character.
Gaming is something that’s likely always going to be contested in our society. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a reckoning in the ways that we’ve allowed toxicity to reign in these spaces. I’ve been heartbroken to see all the ways that people who hold power in gaming and tech, from players to developers, abuse their power. I’m hoping that this outpouring of survivors telling their stories ushers in an age where gaming takes responsibility for the hurt it has caused. Because, although I love the games that I play, I still won’t use voice chat with my teams in Overwatch or games where I’m playing with people I don’t know. I avoid the spaces where I know toxicity reigns so that I can protect my peace.
Gaming in the time of COVID-19 has brought a lot to the surface, whether that’s for me personally or for the larger community. I’m hopeful to see where this wave will take us. For now, though, I’m gonna keep playing games with the people I care about. I’m gonna continue trying out new stories and experience new games through streams on Twitch. This, amidst all the horrible news, is still a good time to be a gamer and I’m excited to see the new stories that people continue to tell using this medium. Next week, I think we’ll be talking about the game Mulaka, something I just finished playing on stream. It made me think a lot by the time I got to the end of the game and I’m excited to reflect on it more!
