The NHS has opened up a clinic aimed at treating children and young adults with gaming addictions. The new service comes in an era when young people face increasing mental health pressures in a digital world, and there’s a demand from the public for such issues to be addressed.

The sociability of online gaming, and increasing dominance of video game streaming, has seen gamer culture cross over to the mainstream. In-game clipping service Medal is looking to harness the social power of this lucrative consumer group, to become the next big name in social sharing.

With environmental protection at the forefront of public discussion, even the gaming industry is getting involved to appeal to an increasingly discerning consumer base. Now Sony has joined the UN’s Playing for Planet alliance and is releasing a PlayStation 5 that uses less energy.

Now touted as a multi-billion dollar industry, e-sports has brands queuing up to tap into a highly engaged audience and the players that are capturing their hearts and minds. What transformed a relatively niche entertainment model into a sporting leader?