With people spending more time at home, they’re turning to entertainment to break the monotony of the everyday and channel their anxiety into something more hands-on. But can escapism really help people feel more empowered? And how do they want brands to speak to them during a pandemic?

Board games are back on the map, with independent game-makers attracting cult followings and mass funding on Kickstarter. As quarantine sets a new leisure-time norm, it’s changing what people want from entertainment, with creative, concentration-heavy games holding more appeal.

Given that the best thing people can do to flatten the COVID-19 curve is stay inside, interest in video gaming has understandably surged, becoming an essential activity to avoid boredom and maintain mental health. How has the pandemic changed the way Aussies view this escapist hobby?

Social gaming platform Roblox, which was built by players for players, has boomed during the pandemic. Designed to connect children to their friends through fun, interactive and collaborative video games, it has become one of lockdown’s biggest success stories.