With over 3 billion people playing video games there is no room for stereotypes.
This is a great article by Dean Takahashi talking with Stanley Pierre Louise on many of the stereotypes around video games.
There is a lot to learn here, but I want to focus on culture. With 3 billion people playing and millions of games it is unrealistic to expect a homogeneous cultural experience, literally impossible.
We have seen new data this year showing just how important games are in creating connection and social networks.
– Global industry survey finds video games are having a significant positive impact on human connection, loneliness and mental health.
Link:Â https://lnkd.in/gemv79_b
– Of 3,000 people surveyed, 97% responded that playing video games benefits their mental health and reduced feeling of isolation.
Link:Â https://lnkd.in/gawFsJXi
– A majority of players surveyed across 12 countries say video games help reduce stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation.
Link:Â https://lnkd.in/gu9dKJSg
One of the major superpowers of gaming is accessibility. And it is definitely a double edged sword. Is there a toxicity in gaming, absolutely! Do we need to protect vulnerable populations from it, absolutely!
Are games leading the pack in positive social exchanges, tackling the loneliness epidemic and enabling human connection, ABSOLUTELY!
There is so much work to be done here, and folks like Rachel Kowert are doing this hard work, but it makes no sense in a time of this much need to turn our backs on the positive impact games are having.
We need all the positive communities and connections we can get.Â
