The gaming industry was perhaps one of the only winners of the pandemic. Although it was experienced five years ago, the sector has continued to enjoy plenty of success from the fallout that was experienced.
If we cast our minds back to the torrid time that was observed, the global population was forced into a lockdown. We couldn’t leave our property and engage in many of the daily activities that we would participate in or do things that were simply the norm and became taken for granted. As we sought things to do, we turned to gaming as a form of entertainment.
Increase in gaming
Casual – or hobby – gaming enjoyed a huge rise. They became the go-to source of entertainment, social connection, and stress relief, which saw player numbers increase exponentially. According to some estimates, Latin America saw a 52% increase, Asia-Pacific 42%, and the U.S. reported 46% of gamers playing more.
Several types of games were enjoyed by players, with many different niches explored. Many would play hits like Animal Crossing: New Horizons (released just before the beginning of the pandemic) and Among Us (a 2018 release that surged in popularity in 2020). Others would play iGaming titles that could be found at sites like the Razed casino, as they looked for alternative forms of entertainment that could also potentially offering them win rewards as an added bonus.
The gaming industry boomed in terms of player numbers, but it also enjoyed a surge in revenue. Estimates suggest global video game revenue hit $159 billion in 2020, with reports claiming 82% of global consumers had engaged with video games or other gaming content during the height of the lockdown period.
Is casual gaming still a thing in 2025?
With the pandemic firmly behind us, our daily lives have returned to normality. We no longer must remain indoors and can go about our business as usual. This can mean that we have very little time to enjoy the activities that we once preoccupied ourselves with when we had too much time on our hands.
Still, gaming remains a popular entertainment. It always has been. However, it would be impossible not to recognize there will be a decline. If anything, the decline that was experienced just highlights where the industry is. A level of stabalization has occurred, as the sector must compete with other entertainment forms that weren’t available during the pandemic. For instance, people are free to travel and explore once again, or they can enjoy physical activities that weren’t possible to enjoy at home.
Could hobby gaming experience another rise?
As history has shown, there is every chance that hobby gaming could increase again in the future. It may require another pandemic-type situation to enjoy the same results that it did a few years ago, however gaming is a form of entertainment that is always going to be enjoyed.
New players will continue to emerge, while many will seek casual sessions as a means to pass the time. Social trends can make games popular and must-play experiences akin to what Among Us witnessed, while new technologies may create interest from casual observers.
