Playing Video Games During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Effects on Players’ Well-Being

Video games served as a critical psychological resource during the COVID-19 pandemic, functioning as a primary mechanism for maintaining mental health and social stability during periods of global isolation. By providing a sense of agency, structure, and routine, interactive media helped players navigate the uncertainty of lockdown conditions. The core thesis posits that gaming effectively satisfied fundamental human needs for competence, autonomy, and social connection, ultimately acting as a vital tool for emotional regulation and stress management.

Data collected from 781 respondents indicates that 71 percent of individuals increased their gaming consumption during the pandemic. This shift was characterized by a preference for multiplayer titles to facilitate social interaction and non-competitive, relaxing genres to mitigate anxiety. Players frequently gravitated toward familiar experiences, such as revisiting legacy titles or clearing existing backlogs, to foster a sense of normalcy. Notably, reports of positive mental health outcomes—including cognitive stimulation and escapism—outnumbered negative reports by a factor of ten, suggesting that the benefits of gaming significantly outweighed concerns regarding productivity.

The findings suggest that the role of digital play extends beyond mere entertainment, positioning video games as a legitimate component of public health strategy. Given the demonstrated capacity of these platforms to support well-being during periods of crisis, there is a strong argument for their inclusion in official guidance for future lockdown scenarios. By addressing the psychological demands of restricted environments, video games proved to be an essential instrument for resilience, offering a constructive outlet for individuals facing prolonged social and physical limitations.