From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Australian esports has changed drastically over the last five years. While major teams have declared bankruptcy, dozens of smaller, community-level events have sprung up around the country. Is this a short-lived recovery or a sign that the scene is transforming but becoming stronger than ever?

Promises of new virtual frontiers are ramping up, and the gaming industry is leading the charge. While media and entertainment brands get ready for these possibilities, people are already using games to enhance how they live, play, and engage in society. As tech advancements push experiences forward, people are looking to gaming to open up their worlds.

Online gaming has become saturated by toxicity and negative attitudes that permeate digital spaces. As new role models such as Hasan Piker challenge conventional conceptions of masculinity in gaming, how will the sector move forward to become more inclusive and welcoming?

Valued at almost $200 billion globally, the gaming industry is growing fast. Yet while 48% of gamers identify as female, pervasive harassment is seeing the industry lose a fifth of female online gamers. How can brands contribute to the cultural shift the gaming world requires to become more equitable?