With COVID-19 sharply rising in many places in a global third wave, scientists say that a potential method to slowing down the spread could be free video games. While games are popular and an effective tool for keeping young people (the foremost demographic spreading the virus worldwide) at home, high price tags and low wages keep new games out of the hands of many who would otherwise reconsider going out.
To keep everyone safe during the pandemic, it's been long encouraged for everyone to stay indoors and avoid large gatherings in order to slow the spread of the virus. After a somewhat successful global quarantine effort in March and April of this year, issues arose as people began to get bored of being indoors all day and misinformation (and deadly conspiracies) spread like wildfire. However, many both jokingly and earnestly noted that earlier stay-at-home success was thanks not only to rational fear, but also due to record-breaking gaming hits like Animal Crossing: New Horizons keeping people happy and preoccupied indoors.
SAGE has published a new paper (thanks, Eurogamer) that indicates that some video games should be made free in order to further incentivize young people to stay indoors, suggesting that young people should be given access to "free mobile phone data, streaming and gaming" to slow the spread of COVID-19. Even though some titles cost up to $60, there are also plenty of free games such as Genshin Impact and Among Us that people fill their free time with instead if they were better made aware of the opportunity.
The paper also mentions that young people are "more oriented towards immediate experiences and rewards than long term consequences" to explain why teens and young adults are ignoring COVID-19 regulations without the concern of getting themselves or other people infected. Games are an effective method in providing this immediate and rewarding experience through play, so SAGE's free game argument holds water in theory. Whether it is a victory screen or obtaining a rare item, video games provide the satisfaction young people are looking for without putting everyone else at risk. SAGE also mentions that young people are concerned with "maintaining status and belonging in their peer group," which online gaming social elements and applications like Discord could easily placate in a time of crisis like this one.
However, all video games being free wouldn't be great for everyone. Just like any restaurant or company, video game developers need financial support to continue operating. If these developers could come to a deal with governments where they are given subsidies in exchange for free games for the public, it would be a win-win scenario all parties involved. If gaming is utilized in the way scientists are suggesting, then game developers have the power to keep young people at home and young people could take advantage of free video games at their fingertips to fight loneliness and boredom.