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.

Between a pandemic, social unrest, and political uncertainty, stress is abundant in everyday life. Yet while some people are escaping the reality of 2020 with light-hearted entertainment, others are indulging in fear-inducing films and TV. Why is horror proving so popular among critics and viewers?

Faced with months of lockdown, life simulator video games have surged in popularity, offering escapism, catharsis, and a supportive community. But The Sims Spark’d – a reality TV show that blurs the line between players and in-game avatars – confronts the uglier elements of gaming culture.

Is gaming set to take over people’s free time? What are the limits of virtual reality? How have media producers adapted to pandemic-inspired needs? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to four experts about how people are finding both solace and escapism through screens.