{"id":336,"date":"2020-05-15T08:46:41","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T07:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.jomec.co.uk\/life360\/?p=336"},"modified":"2020-05-19T14:27:43","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T13:27:43","slug":"online-gaming-during-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/online-gaming-during-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Online gaming has seen a surge in engagement during lockdown but just how important has it been for people struggling with isolation and mental health issues?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve heard [gamers be told] \u2018there are such better things you can do with your time\u2019 or \u2018you have no life\u2019,\u201d says a player with the screen name Zamorak Soul. \u201cI have a 4<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;degree black belt in martial arts, a perfect 4.0 GPA and I\u2019ve been working my dream job already since 19 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to a 2014 study at University College in London, there is a correlation between the number of hours spent playing games per week and overall recovery from work related stress that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf enough of the outstanding gamers can show how gaming has given them better social skills, learned things like economics or time management and how games stand as a major stress reliever, people might not have such a bad outlook on gaming,\u201d says Soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jagex, the company responsible for both&nbsp;<em>Runescape<\/em>, and its legacy version&nbsp;<em>Old School Runescape<\/em>,&nbsp;&nbsp;has seen a 56.5% rise in daily players over the last two months, with this growth in active players being forecast to continue rising in the next few weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph.jpg\" alt=\"Jagex Player Count Graph\" class=\"wp-image-1151\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph.jpg\" alt=\"Jagex Player Count Graph\" class=\"wp-image-1151\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/JagexPlayerGraph-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Jagex daily player base. The pink line is total players, Blue is <em>Old School Runescape<\/em> players <br>and yellow is players for the current version of <em>Runescape. <\/em>Graph credit: misplaceditems.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as this, Xbox Game Pass, a service which gives users access to over 100 Xbox and PC games for a monthly fee, has recently reached 10 million subscriptions. There has also been a 30% rise in multiplayer gaming over Xbox Live, its online service, in recent weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people are OK stuck at home all day, with this being a common trend among gamers. However, others may be having a hard time coping with the feeling of being stuck, and the anxiety and uncertainty of the pandemic, says Luis Armando, a Clinical Psychologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople are dealing with a lot of change: their jobs, their health, family life, schooling, everything is on the line, and any mental health issues that need attention such as anxiety and depression can really come out during times like these<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think gaming is a great way to deal with some of the issues.\u201d I really think people should do whatever makes them feel safe, and gaming can be a safe, familiar thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marcus Syvertsen, a Podcast Producer and Photographer from Sweden says that for him, gaming offers brain stimuli when days are long and uninteresting, as well as social stimuli and constant chat with other people. The main benefit of gaming, he says, is that its something to do when options are limited.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>\u201cI think gaming and streaming services are an extremely vital part of a solitary lifestyle for our generation that have grown up with and been moulded by constant stimuli. As much as I\u2019m sure people can do whatever they want to pass the time, for me its this,\u201d says Syvertsen.<br><br>While many gamers find these are of great help during this unprecedented crisis, gaming companies themselves have also taken to offering what further support they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Phil Mansell, the CEO of Jagex stated that last year they raised more that \u00a3250,000 to help their three mental health charity partners-CPSL Mind, the Prince\u2019s Trust and You Are RAD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJagex Will donate a further \u00a3100,000 to its mental health charity partners. This is on top of our already scheduled&nbsp;<em>Runescape&nbsp;<\/em>Mental Health Awareness Week charity time-limited event\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Play Apart Together - A message from our CEO, Phil Mansell (Mod Pips)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nzc7Bn46GAI?start=2&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Play Apart Together - A message from our CEO, Phil Mansell (Mod Pips)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nzc7Bn46GAI?start=2&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption>The CEO of Jagex offers support to players. Video Credit: Jagex Ltd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On 29 April they also teamed up with Ukie for #GamersForCarers, offering three months of in-game membership of both versions of the game for free to NHS workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Jagex has taken these steps to aid those with suffering during the lockdown, does the player base think they are doing enough to help during this pandemic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor me personally, Jagex has helped a tonne with releasing new content and keeping new players on the edge of their seats looking forward to something new and exciting,\u201d says Tyler, an Electrical Distribution Technician from the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twana, a part 1 architect and barber, agrees with this sentiment by saying he thinks Jagex\u2019s constant updates have been enough to occupy players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Double XP event to encourage people to more game time is controversial but, in my opinion, brilliant. I wish more streaming or entertainment services would try as best they could to make this situation bearable for everyone,\u201d says Syvertsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, he also argues that the release of Runescape\u2019s new skill during the lockdown \u201cwas just a lucky break for both them and us, giving us tons of hours to waste at exactly the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Jagex, <\/em>as well as<em> Activision<\/em>, the publisher of the <em>Call of Duty <\/em>games franchise are both part of the #PlayApartTogether campaign which aims to incorporate COVID-19 self-protection messages into their games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Call of Duty<\/em> throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have hosted events like Double XP as well as releasing its Battle Royale mode for its most recent title which hit 25 million players in its first week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The player base of its most recent title has over doubled in recent months, from 18.84m players on 3 March to 46.35m as of 5 May, on the PlayStation 4 platform alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase.jpg\" alt=\"Call Of Duty Player Count Graph (PS4)\" class=\"wp-image-1158\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase.jpg\" alt=\"Call Of Duty Player Count Graph (PS4)\" class=\"wp-image-1158\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/CallOfDutyPlayerBase-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Daily Players of <em>Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare  (2019) <\/em>on the Playstation 4. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>They have also released a remastered campaign for <em>Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2<\/em>, one of its most well-known titles, on March 31 for PlayStation 4 and on April 30 for Xbox One and PC.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as this, some players still think they could be doing more to directly try to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marko suggests that <em>Call of Duty<\/em> could make a gathering pot for the coronavirus.&nbsp; \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take that much money. Some companies have donated a billion dollars, they have hundreds of that but 10 million they could\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A player who goes by the screen name Orangez9 says that he\u2019s not sure what the <em>Call of Duty<\/em> developers are doing and thinks that Call of Duty should have more online events like Double XP and community events as well as more limited-time game modes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the case of <em>Halo<\/em>, Double XP was active from the outbreak of the Coronavirus until April 29, and <em>Halo: the Master Chief Collection<\/em> experienced a 190% rise in its player counts when the lockdown started. It has since fallen to around 60% more daily players on average than before the lockdown started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as this, Xbox Game Studios are also taking part in #GamesforCarers, offering NHS staff free games during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers.jpg\" alt=\"Gaming companies contributing to #GamesForCarers\" class=\"wp-image-1214\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers.jpg\" alt=\"Gaming companies contributing to #GamesForCarers\" class=\"wp-image-1214\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/GamesForCarers-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>85 UK-based companies have contributed games to NHS workers for free.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Marko, an American student notes that Bill Gates, who owns Microsoft which is responsible for <em>Halo<\/em>, donated $100 million via the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation to help fight COVID-19 . \u201cI think Bill Gates is doing his job he donated like 50 million to helping Coronavirus which I respect him a lot for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-488x1024.png\" alt=\"Top 10 most played games on Steam\" class=\"wp-image-1201\" width=\"770\" height=\"1615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-488x1024.png 488w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-143x300.png 143w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-770x1614.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-733x1536.png 733w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-293x614.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-488x1024.png\" alt=\"Top 10 most played games on Steam\" class=\"wp-image-1201\" width=\"770\" height=\"1615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-488x1024.png 488w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-143x300.png 143w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-770x1614.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-733x1536.png 733w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819.png 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/top10mostplayed_46601819-293x614.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While the degree to which gaming companies are supported by their player base at this time may vary, many also differ on the degree to which gaming itself helps them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cadmo Melo, a Brazilian student, suggests that while playing video games is fun and makes him feel better, knowing he is playing games instead of doing something more productive has the danger of making him more depressed. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many gamers find gaming helpful during the lockdown, many also feel that the stigma around gaming also limits it\u2019s ability to help them cope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI hate it when people think games are making people violent even though it doesn\u2019t,\u201d says Dustin, who works at a cinema desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI do think that non-gamers get caught up in saying that gaming is an addiction or gaming incites violence, creating a stigma in their minds about what exactly a \u201cgamer\u201d and \u201cgaming\u201d is. In reality, gaming is a medium or a pastime just like any other,\u201d says Armando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Melo suggests that people can potentially alienate themselves with their beliefs before trying something out. He doesn\u2019t think the gaming industry has anything to prove to anyone as it is already a successful artform as it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twana says that it\u2019s a bit presumptuous to assume that games are for kids, especially nowadays where its hard to categorise gaming as a whole. Its become a world renowned industry with global tournaments and given people the potential to earn substantial amounts of money.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo.jpg\" alt=\"Call of Duty World League logo\" class=\"wp-image-1165\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo.jpg\" alt=\"Call of Duty World League logo\" class=\"wp-image-1165\" width=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Call_of_Duty_World_League_logo-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>There are various esports (online gaming) championships for different games around the world. The first prize for the Call of Duty: World League 2019 was $800,000 (\u00a3658,000).<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRespect comes with time, gaming is a form of art and I think it should be getting the same respect as the film industry, because games have evolved; conceptually and graphically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy mother complains and argues with me about playing too much almost every day because she thinks that I am wasting time doing absolutely nothing. However, she doesn\u2019t understand that when I play the game, I\u2019m not playing it to waste time or to simply have fun,\u201d says Tyler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI play games because it helps me cope with stress and helps me keep my mind active. Many of the games that I play involve intense calculations, test my reflexes\/ hand eye coordination and help keep my brain stimulated in a positive way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the lockdown having been in effect for almost two months, How is the gaming industry offering support for gamers with mental health issues?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":1193,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[13,16,34,9],"class_list":["post-336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-gaming","tag-lockdown"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Online gaming has seen a surge in engagement during lockdown but just how important has it been for people struggling with isolation and mental health issues? - Life360<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/online-gaming-during-lockdown\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Online gaming has seen a surge in engagement during lockdown but just how important has it been for people struggling with isolation and mental health issues? - Life360\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the lockdown having been in effect for almost two months, How is the gaming industry offering support for gamers with mental health issues?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/online-gaming-during-lockdown\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Life360\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-05-15T07:46:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-05-19T13:27:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/05\/Corporation-for-public-gaming-1-e1589516337708.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"950\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"534\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"alexandermelville\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"alexandermelville\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/online-gaming-during-lockdown\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/life360\/online-gaming-during-lockdown\/\",\"name\":\"Online gaming has seen a surge in engagement during lockdown but just how important has it been for people struggling with isolation and mental health issues? 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