How will covid-19 impact the video game industry?

[dscross]

You would expect people to want to play more games in a world virus crisis where people are forced to stay inside, but I'm wondering if there are variables I'm not considering and how the industry might be impacted. Also, games like The Last Of Us 2 and Resident Evil 3, which are about virus outbreaks, could seem less palatable to some consumers now.

What does everyone think?

 

[Marik2]

Probably more push for digital sales, more employees will work from home, and the new consoles might be delayed or be more expensive.

 

[Hawki]

Also, games like The Last Of Us 2 and Resident Evil 3, which are about virus outbreaks, could seem less palatable to some consumers now.

One of the most downloaded movies in recent times is Contagion. Go to any YouTube video that deals with zombies and you'll see comments along the lines of "Corvid-19 brought me here." If anything, the virus is causing people to consume more 'viral media,' not less of it.

What does everyone think?

I don't think it'll be much of an issue, at least compared to other industries. People can work from home. Games can be downloaded. It'll suck for physical media, but since playing games requires you to stay home most of the time, I doubt there's much to worry about on this front.

 

[SupahEwok]

So far videogame releases are the only things not getting delayed.

As far as working in the industry goes:

 

[Marik2]

I'm just gonna order the new console and games from amazon, so I don't have to go to the store.

 

[BrawlMan]

Life will go on as usual after all this blows over. Not much else.

 

[dscross]

Wondering how many states will follow suit with the quarantine order, only leaving for home or work essentials. I?m also wondering how long it will really take to mitigate further risk of contagion. Is a three week timeout enough? Will there be those few straggling cases of virus hanging on that will ramp things back up to an even bigger clusterfuck down the road?

How long can people mentally, physically and emotionally deal with this roller coaster before it starts taking a toll?

Video games are a great way to tune out and kill time, but it would seem this will still be in the back of people?s minds in the meantime. I haven?t heard how shipments of non-essential goods will be affected with several big releases coming up in the next couple months.

 

[dscross]

Wondering how many states will follow suit with the quarantine order, only leaving for home or work essentials. I?m also wondering how long it will really take to mitigate further risk of contagion. Is a three week timeout enough? Will there be those few straggling cases of virus hanging on that will ramp things back up to an even bigger clusterfuck down the road?

We're on lockdown in the UK now - most countries will do the same after a certain period of time. I think most governments follow a set plan of action that they've had internationally for a long time in the event of a pandemic.

 

[Yoshi178]

probably just a bunch of shit getting delayed.

like the rumoured Nintendo March Direct is meant to happen this week. they'll probably just focus on digital release dates and push physical release games back a few months without a specific release date to avoid comitting to a release date they can't promise right now.

 

[dscross]

Life will go on as usual after all this blows over. Not much else.

Think you are living in cloud cuckoo land if you think things society won't be affected in lots of different ways by this, in every country.

 

[BrawlMan]

Life will go on as usual after all this blows over. Not much else.

Think you are living in cloud cuckoo land if you think things society won't be affected in lots of different ways by this, in every country.

I didn't say society won't be affected. All I said was life will go on. Hopefully they'll be major changes, on how to take epidemics seriously. Or actually doing your fucking job to make sure to stop an epidemic before it starts. Hint: the leader of China (Winnie Pooh) & dumbass Trump. Those who won't learn a damn thing, but everyone else will. Most of everyone else anyway. Obama actually did his job and whenever there was a new type of virus or strain, he and his administration tried to make sure the stop before it starts.

 

[Trunkage]

So far videogame releases are the only things not getting delayed.

As far as working in the industry goes:

I doubt sleep would have been allowed. I've heard of companies requiring employees to allow them access to their webcam to prove that they are working. Naughty Dog can just implement their strict regime online now.

 

[Hawki]

I doubt sleep would have been allowed. I've heard of companies requiring employees to allow them access to their webcam to prove that they are working. Naughty Dog can just implement their strict regime online now.

Sleep is for the weak, Trunkage!

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

I doubt sleep would have been allowed. I've heard of companies requiring employees to allow them access to their webcam to prove that they are working. Naughty Dog can just implement their strict regime online now.

Sleep is for the weak, Trunkage!

You can sleep when you're dead! At least until we perfect technology that reanimates your corpse so that you can work when you're dead.

 

[Elfgore]

Any confirmed delays yet for either consoles or games? Only thing I can think of that. Maybe also being the nail in the coffin for Gamestop.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Life will go on as usual after all this blows over. Not much else.

20,000 people are dead.

 

[BrawlMan]

Life will go on as usual after all this blows over. Not much else.

20,000 people are dead.

I'm aware of that. Do note, I am not trying act aloof or cold of the crisis going on across the globe. Did you not read my previous post when responding to dcross? I know tensions and stress are high right now, but I am not trying to start any pointless bickering. Because of incompetent and insecure leaders, over 20K people are dead. The best we can do right now is slow the spread and use some actual common fucking sense. And when I last checked, Mr Pooh Bear ain't do nothing, but jacking off on his pathetic throne.

We all have our own shit to deal with, cuz of this pandemic. I gotta deal with panicky (mostly justifiable) residents in a large apartment. Yet, some of these people continue to leave trash in various halls inside the, because their too dumb or lazy to pick up after themselves. Yes, leave your filthy opened trash bags where the virus and other possible germs can spread. I'm sure that will be a great look for the inside, and matches with the decor. You fucking dumb asses. Luckily, most of the residents have the decency to clean after themselves. Me, and other maintenance guys are constantly out on the front lines constantly steritlizing the building, and only going in residents apartments for emergencies only, and only emergencies. I went out of my way to find extra disposable gloves with my own money, because my supervisors waiting for something they had no idea when they were going to get due to shortages. And you know what, everyone was highly appreciative of what I did. So much my boss personally paid me back. And I was not expecting reimbursement. That is the good of human nature in a moment of crisis. Thank you and good night.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Whatever the outcome, the state of videogames industry will be the least of our worries. It's going to get real shit for a lot of people, and those directly responsible for ideological neglect will never ever reap the consequences an average citizen immediately would.

 

[stroopwafel]

Probably some delays in production and higher sales of new releases because people spend more time at home.

In general I think the economic damage of government's response to the virus will prove to be more severe than the virus itself. Espescially the government spending and increase in national debt and state obligations by federal banks. That will cast a long shadow. Italy might rob an entire generation of it's future if besides a health crisis and an economic crisis it will also have a liquidity crisis b/c financial markets lost all confidence. America in a recession with China owning almost the entirety of that pile of debt and the E.U. risking disintegration due to currency devaluation it's not difficult to see where this is going. If you contrast that with the death toll of the virus consisting mostly of the elderly with already underlying health or age related disorders one can wonder if it's all worth it in the end.

Poverty and mass unemployment also costs lives. It's not like covid-19 is like the plague that offed 1/4 of the world population(on a total of 350 million people) and more than half of all people living in Europe. Speaking of plague they should probably also take the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria that scientists have been warning about for years now more seriously(Spain just sold it freely at pharmacies until recently). Just like the wildlife markets and outbreaks of severe respiratory viruses. Lest it will give governments even more ammunition to permanently implement a police/surveillance state and end democracy and civil rights.

btw please don't say scary things like RE3 Remake being delayed. It's only a week and I really want to play that game. xD

 

[dscross]

Probably some delays in production and higher sales of new releases because people spend more time at home.

In general I think the economic damage of government's response to the virus will prove to be more severe than the virus itself. Espescially the government spending and increase in national debt and state obligations by federal banks. That will cast a long shadow. Italy might rob an entire generation of it's future if besides a health crisis and an economic crisis it will also have a liquidity crisis b/c financial markets lost all confidence. America in a recession with China owning almost the entirety of that pile of debt and the E.U. risking disintegration due to currency devaluation it's not difficult to see where this is going. If you contrast that with the death toll of the virus consisting mostly of the elderly with already underlying health or age related disorders one can wonder if it's all worth it in the end.

Poverty and mass unemployment also costs lives. It's not like covid-19 is like the plague that offed 1/4 of the world population(on a total of 350 million people) and more than half of all people living in Europe. Speaking of plague they should probably also take the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria that scientists have been warning about for years now more seriously(Spain just sold it freely at pharmacies until recently). Just like the wildlife markets and outbreaks of severe respiratory viruses. Lest it will give governments even more ammunition to permanently implement a police/surveillance state and end democracy and civil rights.

btw please don't say scary things like RE3 Remake being delayed. It's only a week and I really want to play that game. xD

How ironic regarding China. If this was a Hollywood movie people would be forgiven for thinking it was all part of the plan. Then again one quick trip to YouTube with a search of ?Wuhan market? reveals in no short measure how revolting and out of control that country and its population base really is. When this is all over (if it ever is) we?re going to have to think bigger than mere economic concerns. This is a social issue of the highest magnitude, and it will force us to reconsider how we approach any exchange on a global scale.

But perhaps even more importantly, there?s a new Jill trailer out [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Ix4eyNYps].