When streaming services pay a fraction of a penny to artists per stream, independent artists often struggle to bank on their success. Grammy-winning musician RAC has partnered with start-up Zora to introduce a cryptocurrency that enables fans to get their hands on merchandise and artists to get paid.

While spending hours gaming might be enjoyable, being hunched over on the couch is definitely the opposite. Ikea and ROG’s gaming furniture collaboration comes as people increasingly rely on gaming to escape to pandemic-free virtual worlds during lockdown.

Video games may conjure up imagery of ultra-fantasy but can these play a positive role in mental health? Canvas8 spoke to Joe Donnelly, author ofCheckpoint: How Video Games Power Up Minds, Kick Ass, and Save Lives, to understand the benefits of gaming that transcend entertainment.

Once perceived as an anti-social pursuit, gaming now offers people a way to connect with peers around the world through streaming, forums, and social media. How do these diverse communities go beyond gameplay to support individuals in their search for escapism and creative expression?