Web site: Teppen World Championship 2020 | Teppen -Official Site-|publisher=teppenthegame.com|access-date=5 January 2021}} Offline tournaments meant to qualify players to the finals were cancelled due to the pandemic.[101] While many traditional physical sports games, seasons, and playoffs were cancelled due to the pandemic], the organizing leagues turned to video game equivalents as alternative entertainment, using the professional athletes from their leagues within the games. Some examples of this included:
Television networks which normally would have shown the sporting events that were cancelled have turned to both these replacement sports programs as well as other esport tournaments as replacement programming during the pandemic. On 14 June 2020, the BBC reported that about 22 million sports viewers turned to virtual races when lockdowns were implemented. Questions over the future of esports rose with Formula 1 returning in July 2020.[106] [107]
Hardware production
- Nintendo Switch production in Vietnam had been scaled back due to reduced supply of components out of China because of the quarantines. As a result, supplies for the Switch were significantly reduced in Japan.[108] In its annual report issued in May 2020, Nintendo believed that production would resume normal levels within a few months.[109] Further, Nintendo of America closed its repair center as a preventative measure. The company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, and the flagship store in New York City were also closed.[110]
- Valve announced that its production on the Valve Index virtual reality headset was reduced due to the impact of the pandemic and would have fewer shipments expected than planned by the release of .[111]
- Konami delayed release of the TurboGrafx-16 Mini in March due to production chain issues in China due to the pandemic.[112]
- Atari delayed the Atari VCS that was initially supposed to release in March 2020 because of the pandemic.[113]
- Microsoft did not anticipate any delay in the planned release of the Xbox Series X console, according to Phil Spencer . He stated that some games expected near launch may be delayed as a result.[114]
- The Evercade handheld console, originally due to release on May 22, 2020, released sometime between May 22, and June 5, 2020.[115]
- Nvidia's GeForce 30 series of graphics cards immediately sold out upon their release, due largely to a rise in consumer demand for computer hardware during the pandemic, as well as a lack in proper security against scalpers.[116]
Sales
Generally, sales of video games have increased as a result of stay-at-home and lockdown orders from the pandemic, as people turned to video games as a pastime. The NPD Group reported that video game sales in North America in March 2020 were up 34% from those in March 2019, and video game hardware up by 63% – which included more than twice the number of units of the Nintendo Switch console. Net spending across the first quarter of 2020 in the United States reached, up 9% in 2020 compared to 2019 according to NPD. An increase at this point, near the planned end of the eighth generation of video game consoles, was unusual and was attributed to the pandemic.[117] [118] By July 2020, NPD Group reported that the total sales of video game hardware and software within the United States in the first six months of 2020 reached, the highest since 2010.[119]
Some specific examples of game software and hardware sales affected by the pandemic include:
- The 2012 game Plague Inc. by Ndemic Creations had a significant increase in sales as a result of the pandemic. The game temporarily became the top-paid app on several regional app stores, beating out the perennial bestseller Minecraft. Some analysts believed that those worried about the pandemic used the game to see that it could spread as a means to placate their fears.[120] While the game was based on scientific models of the spread of contagious diseases, Ndemic had to remind the players that the game was not meant to be taken as an accurate model for transmission and spread and referred those interested to the Centers for Disease Control and other national and international health organization websites.[121] [122] Ndemic later added a new gameplay mode to Plague Inc, with the goal to try to stop an ongoing pandemic through various possible options by using the work that it developed in coordination with WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.[123] The company also donated to the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to help fight the pandemic and encouraged the players of the game to do the same.[124]
- The 2018 digital adaption of Pandemic by Asmodee experienced an increase in sales.
- Both Doom Eternal and , major AAA titles released in March 2020, outperformed industry expectations, with Animal Crossing selling more in its opening week in the United Kingdom than all of the previous launches in the franchise combined for the same region.[125]
- Ring Fit Adventure, which involves physical activity, was in high demand in China as a result of the quarantine. Sales led to shortages and price gouging in East Asia and nearby regions.[126] Similar shortages for the game expanded as quarantines and stay-at-home orders came to many Western locations during March 2020.[127]
- Coupled with lowered hardware production, the Nintendo Switch became a high-selling commodity during the pandemic, as it provided entertainment options across all ages, especially with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo worked to supply as many units as possible globally to most markets, which led to some resellers using bots to scalp.[128] The Switch's high sales helped to offset low sales of other console hardware within the United States and buoy higher revenues for the sector.
- Among Us rose in popularity through Twitch after streamer Sodapoppin popularised it through the platform in late July 2020.[129] [130]
- Minecraft Dungeons topped Animal Crossing on the North America eShop when they released their new DLC packs: Jungle Awakens and Creeping Winter. They also announced cross-platform features.[131]
Software releases
- An estimated one-third of developers surveyed in 2020 by the GDC stated that COVID-19 caused a delay of the games they were working on, a combination of the pandemic and the remote working conditions.[132] By 2021, this had increased to 44% by 2021 in a subsequent GDC survey.[133] Some games that were delayed included:
- The Outer Worlds for Nintendo Switch from March 6 to June 5, 2020[134]
- Someday You'll Return from April 14 to May 5, 2020[135]
- Hellpoint from April 16 to July 30, 2020[136] [137]
- Yumeutsutsu Re:Master and Yumeutsutsu Re:After for PlayStation Vita from April 23 to July 23, 2020.[138] The PlayStation 4 versions were never delayed[139] [140] despite confirmation of such.[141]
- Minecraft Dungeons from April to May 26, 2020[142]
- Trackmania from May 5 to July 1, 2020[143]
- Marvel's Iron Man VR from May 15 to July 3, 2020[144] [145]
- physical edition from May 19 to June 30 in North America and May 22 to July 3, 2020, in Europe[146] [147]
- from May 21 to July 9 in Japan and May 22 to July 10, 2020, in North America[148]
- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Infinite Combat from early 2020 to August 7, 2020, in Europe and August 11, 2020, in North America[149] [150]
- Ninjala from May 27 to June 24, 2020[151]
- Final Fantasy XIV Patch 5.3 from June 16 to August 11, 2020,[152] as well as the game's fourth expansion pack, Endwalker, from Q3 2021 to December 7, 2021[153]
- Fairy Tail from June 25 to July 30, 2020, in Japan and Europe, and a day later in North America[154] [155]
- E-School Life for Nintendo Switch and PS4 from June 25 to July 30, 2020, in Japan[156]
- Fast & Furious Crossroads from May to August 7, 2020[157] [158]
- Kiss Trilogy for PS4 and Nintendo Switch from June 25 to August 27, 2020, in Japan[159]
- Kingdom Hearts: Dark Road from early 2020 to June 22, 2020[160] [161]
- No Straight Roads from June 30 to August 25, 2020[162] [163]
- Ary and the Secret of Seasons from July 28 to September 1, 2020[164]
- Death Stranding for PC from June 2 to July 14, 2020[165]
- Wasteland 3 from May 19 to August 28, 2020[166]
- The Last of Us Part II from May 29 to June 19, 2020[167]
- Ghost of Tsushima from June 26 to July 17, 2020[168]
- : Title Update 4 from May to July 9, 2020[169] [170]
- Little Witch Academia
VR Broom Racing from June to late 2020 for Oculus Quest and early 2021 for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and SteamVR[171]
- from June 2 to July 21, 2020[172]
- Remaster for Nintendo Switch and PS4 from May 12 to June 23, 2020[173] [174]
- Phogs! from June to December 3, 2020[175] [176]
- from mid-2020 to October 30, 2020[177] [178]
- from August 28 to September 25, 2020[179]
- from September 29, 2020, to January 9, 2021,[180] and then finally released at March 9, 2021, after further delays due to problems in the game's multiplayer mode.[181]
- Blue Fire for PS4, Xbox One and PC from mid-2020 to Q1 2021[182]
- Kerbal Space Program 2 from early 2020/Q3 2021 and then to 2022 and finally into early 2023.[183]
- Guilty Gear Strive from late 2020 to June 11, 2021.[184] [185]
- Warframe Major Update called Duviri Paradox from 2020 to 2021[186]
- Halo Infinite from 2020 to December 8, 2021[187]
- Deathloop from 2020 to September 14, 2021[188]
- from 2020 to April 27, 2022[189] [190]
- for Nintendo Switch from 2020 to June 29, 2021[191]
- No More Heroes III from 2020 to August 27, 2021[192]
- from 2020 to September 21, 2021[193]
- Outriders from late 2020 to April 1, 2021[194]
- The Medium from December 10, 2020, to January 28, 2021[195]
- Harvest Moon: One World from 2020 to March 2, 2021, in North America and March 5, 2021, in Europe[196]
- The Idolmaster: Starlit Season from 2020 to 2021[197]
- Digimon Survive from 2020 to 2021 and finally into July 28, 2022, for Japan and a day later for the rest of the world.[198] [199]
- Seven Knights: Time Wanderer from June 2020[200] to November 5, 2020[201]
- Monstrum physical edition from May 22, 2020[202] to October 23, 2020[203]
- Dragon Marked for Death version 3.0 patch for Nintendo Switch from April 21, 2020[204] to April 23, 2020[205]
- Everyday: Today's Menu for the Emiya Family from May 2020[206] to April 28, 2021[207]
- Crossfire X from 2020 to February 10, 2022[208]
- Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC from 2020[209] to June 30, 2022[210]
- Rainbow Six Extraction from 2020[211] to January 20, 2022.[212] Additionally, the original title of Rainbow Six Quarantine was renamed to avoid association with the pandemic.[213]
- Gran Turismo 7 from 2021 to March 4, 2022[214]
- Tales of Arise from 2020 to September 10, 2021[215] [216]
- The King of Fighters XV from 2021 to February 17, 2022[217]
- God of War Ragnarök from 2021 to November 9, 2022[218]
- from Q3 2021 to March 25, 2022[219]
- Far Cry 6 from February 18[220] to October 7, 2021[221]
- Life Is Strange: Remastered Collection from September 10, 2021, to February 1, 2022[222]
- Battlefield 2042 from October 22 to November 19, 2021[223]
- Some games also received early releases in certain regions:
- At GameStop in the United States, Doom Eternal was released a day prior to its release date to separate the crowds from those purchasing Animal Crossing: New Horizons (as both games were officially released on 20 March).[224]
- AFL Evolution 2 was released on April 16, 2020, a week prior to its original release date. To reduce physical contact, physical copies of the game were initially sold through online retailers only.[225]
- Final Fantasy VII Remake was shipped early to Europe and Australia so the players living in the "countries that are currently facing the biggest disruption" would be able to play the game on its launch day.[226]
- The second chapter of Deltarune, which was originally intended to be released as part of the full game (the release date of which has not yet been announced as of March 21, 2022), was released for free on September 17, 2021.
- Some games were cancelled:
Game publishers and developers have expressed concerns that further extensions of the movement control orders from the pandemic may incur additional delays. One major factor that may cause delays is the ability to capture voice acting without access to studios during physical distancing for society, even though some of members have considered working from residence remotely to avoid troubling situations. An example of this happened with the Western release of Persona 5 Strikers whose voice acting in English was meant to start in April 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic. The actors later received audio equipment from Atlus so that they could work at home.[232]
Services
As much of the world's population have been quarantined due to the pandemic, video game playing and other Internet use has increased significantly. Steam had over 23 million concurrent players during March 2020, surpassing all previous records[233] while over three billion hours of content were watched on Twitch over the first quarter of 2020, a 20% increase from the previous year's.[234] Microsoft reported a substantial increase in users of its Xbox Game Pass service in the months of March and April 2020, bringing it to over 10 million subscribers.[235] GeForce Now capacity was temporarily exhausted in Europe before additional server capacity was added.[236]
The additional bandwidth from video games and other Internet services created concerns that critical bandwidth would not be available for medical and other key infrastructure elements necessary to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2.[237] To help reduce demand during peak hours, the Akamai content delivery network for many video games[238] and major digital storefronts such as Xbox Live,[239] PlayStation Network,[240] [241] and Steam[242] capped download speeds and encouraged the users to download at off-peak hours.
During quarantine and lockdown, Ubisoft announced an update for Just Dance 2020 to keep players active:[243] customers who owned the game could access a month of the Just Dance Unlimited service. Ubisoft also announced in its official forum that the second event entitled "Power Gala", which was part of the second season "Feel the Power" in Just Dance 2020, had been postponed.[244] The developer explained that the company wanted to protect its team due to the pandemic, and that "although [their] team still work[ed] hard to make our servers work as smoothly as possible at home", this needed to be resolved by postponing the content. Two tracks from Just Dance Unlimited were made free to make up for the delay.[245]
Retailers
- GameStop and its Canadian subsidiary, EB Games, came under criticism for its overall response to the pandemic. Notably, it received widespread criticism when, after numerous states and provinces issued "stay at home" or "shelter in place" orders requiring non-essential businesses to close up starting in March 2020, it considered its stores an essential business, stating that they provided a "significant need for technology solutions". The chain later revised this decision, closing most locations and leaving only select stores open to provide drive-up delivery of online or by-phone orders to the customers.[246] [247] [248] [249]
- CeX closed all its corporate stores in the United Kingdom on 23 March and asked the franchises to do the same.[250]
- Game X Change, a regional game retailer based in Arkansas, attracted criticism for keeping the retail locations open in areas with stay at home orders.[251]
Industry trade bodies
The Japanese game ratings body Computer Entertainment Rating Organization was forced to close operations from early April through 7 May, and upon reopening, implemented appropriate controls that reduced work hours, which is expected to delay some releases in Japan as they await a rating for retail release.[252] [253]
Industry support of mitigation and relief efforts
- Nintendo of America donated 9,500 N95-rated face masks for first responders in the Washington state region in March after their facility was shuttered during Washington's stay-at-home program.[254]
- Twitch hosted a 12-hour charity stream on 28 March 2020, to raise money for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The stream featured games, music and sports celebrities playing games like Fortnite and Uno.[255]
- Several game publishers worked with WHO to support its #PlayApartTogether campaign, encouraging players to continue social engagement in video games via online games instead of through physical means. Eighteen companies initially joined the effort when announced in March 2020, and at least forty more had joined by early April.[256] [257] [258]
- Games Done Quick, a charity-driven speedrunning event, had to move its planned June 2020 event due to the pandemic, but announced it would run a fully online "Corona Relief Done Quick" event from 17 to 19 April 2020, with money raised going to Direct Relief.[259] The event raised over .[260] Let's Play group The Runaway Guys added an additional through their third annual 'Colosseum' event, done in remote format (and under the title 'Colosseum Direct') due to the pandemic.
- Humble Bundle offered a "Conquer COVID-19 Bundle" of games and e-books from 31 March to 7 April 2020 with all proceeds going to Direct Relief, International Rescue Committee, Doctors Without Borders, and Partners in Health.[261] Over 200,000 bundles were sold raising over for the charities.[262]
- The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment worked with the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to push the government's campaign of "Stay Home, Save Lives" into their members' video games that supported dynamic messaging like within in-game menu screens.[263]
- Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé and video games journalist Harold Goldberg hosted Talking Games with Reggie and Harold, a seven-part podcast, to raise charitable funds for the New York Video Game Critics Circle to help mentor lower-income and under-served students in New York City impacted by the pandemic.[264]
- Idea Factory International held an online charity auction of an official Hyperdimension Neptunia illustration by series artist Tsunako. After the auction ended, they donated the money from the auction to help UNICEF USA's effort in fighting the virus.[265]
- Some game developers and publishers pledged to donate revenue generated by purchases to COVID-19 relief efforts:
Popular games during the pandemic
With the need to stay inside one's home to avoid infection, many gamers flocked to online games as a substitute for social interactions they would otherwise miss. was especially popular, with people around the world turning to the game's recreation of ordinary daily life activities and social networking features as a substitute for the normalcy disrupted by the pandemic.[268] [269] [270] [271] Another very popular game during the pandemic was Grand Theft Auto Online. The game reached one of its highest simultaneous player count of 267,000 players at the beginning of 2020. [272]
Fall Guys and Among Us were particularly popular during this time, with the former being released during the pandemic and the latter receiving a surge of popularity.[273] [274] [275] [276] Some non-online games were also thematically compared to the pandemic, such as The Longing[277] and Presentable Liberty.[278] Microsoft Flight Simulator, first released in August 2020, has been considered popular during the pandemic, as many saw it as a safer alternative to travelling.[279] [280] [281] [282] Other games, such as The Last of Us Part II, Roblox and Project CARS 3, just to name a few, were also popular during the pandemic.
Notable deaths
Post-COVID
Towards the end of 2023 and continuing into 2024, the video game industry saw a large number of layoffs, with over 10,000 jobs lost in 2023 and at least 8,000 in 2024 by February 2024. While other factors contributed to the layoffs, such as previous acquisitions and mergers that came after 2021, the return to normalcy after COVID changed the profitability of video games, lowering market forecasts, which the inflated industry could not sustain.[285]
See also
References
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