As Facebook’s most popular in-app game,FarmVillepromised to bring players together over the collaborative act of virtual farming. But as more people rely upon virtual worlds for their dose of socialising, games with less meaningful social components – likeFarmVille– are getting the boot.

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?

The popularity of video games reached new heights amid the pandemic, as housebound Americans found entertainment in virtual worlds. But they also found companionship via gaming, sometimes at the expense of IRL communication, creating room for brands to help gamers find balance.

After a period of rapid digitisation, in which people relied heavily on the internet to facilitate meaningful connections, modes of visual self-expression have moved far beyond the performative selfie. In this new era of metaversal living, how do people want to curate their virtual identities?