People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

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?

As lockdown measures have kept people cooped up at home, video gaming has emerged as a vital source of entertainment and connection for Australians across age groups. How might the pandemic influence the way people engage with this leisure pursuit (and tech more broadly) in the future?

Sales of video games and video game hardware are continuing to grow in 2021, despite the fact that people are spending less time at home due to the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions. In fact, pandemic-related supply chain issues mean that demand is outpacing supply.

As the pandemic continues to upend the experience economy, nostalgic collectors' items have become markers of luxury, as well as a source of comfort and familiarity. Some people have been flocking to the toys of their youth, turning items like Pokémon cards into sought-after luxuries.