Gaming is Wonderful: Online Gaming Saved Me

Many of us in the modern day world struggle to find a purpose in life. With social media and news streams in our face most of our waking moments, it is hard to switch off. Many of us get lost and feel displaced in a society as we gradually feel less and less connected to the world around us. For some this is just an annoyance, perhaps a frequent disappointment and mild pain. For others it can lead to much darker roads, end in perpetual torment and even death.

The media is full of such stories, but as always it lacks the positive. Now, especially with all the social distancing measures going into place, it is important to reflect on the positive. Here is a gamer's story on how online gaming allowed them to cope in their times of hardship.

May it enlighten you and hopefully inspire you to focus on the good that you have going on in your own life, no matter how small it may seem.

Throughout the article the writer chose Luna.vp as their inspiration within the virtual photographer community. 

Most of my social life at school went from good to downhill as time went on. Too many turned away from me and only thought that my presence was never worth their time and effort. I figured that I needed to find something to make me happy at least just a little bit. I then discovered Video Games. All the homework, assignments and projects that needed to be worked on were always thoroughly done and completed at my earliest convenience, just so I could get to gaming. The good grades were a good thing, but when I was relaxed and gaming, that was truly me feeling okay emotionally. This was true even during my school days that always deterred me from wanting anymore social contact. The digital world behind the screen was there for me, always.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

Eventually, I randomly ventured into Instagram after graduating in 2016. An Xbox One was gifted to me by my Mother. I didn't expect much, I assumed I'd be doomed with no friends, but I did find a player as I played Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3 and we have remained in touch to this day. Some time after there was a new announcement for a game. It was a game changer in the online world. This caught my attention greatly. I can't remember how I stumbled upon the community following the game, but I ended up making more and more friends throughout my time in that community. I was finally experiencing what I missed out on for many years: friendships

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

To be honest, video games saved my life. Even though I've still lost many online friends since 2017, I don't feel lonely. I'll never drop gaming, ever. Like I said... it saved me from what I could have gotten myself into and eased my depression and loneliness, which could have led me down a very dark path. Video games are indeed magical. The adventures you can embark on, the visuals you can enjoy. The friends you can meet through it all.

Red Dead Redemption 2 by Luna.vp

Feelings of happiness and contentment is what these digital worlds have given me and I am grateful for that.

Horizon Zero Dawn by Luna.vp

COVID-19 aka Corona Virus an Update

Right now we are living in unprecedented times, as a Global Pandemic sweeps the nations we all sit in uncertainty and worry about what the future holds. As of the moment I write this I am also going into self isolation. My partners work colleague who she spends most of her days with has been diagnosed with COVID-19 along with his wife and child.

The UK so far has not put measures in place quite like Germany, Italy and Paris, but we are getting there. I have had cold symptoms and a temperature for a couple of days but today it has developed into a sore throat, muscle and ear pain. Maybe it isn't COVID-19 but obeying government guidelines I have decided to stay away from the population for two weeks. 

However, I do not write this in despair. For the majority of the population the illness is no more than a mild cold or nasty fever, some people seem to show no symptoms at all. Regardless, we will be going out less and having to be inside more. We need to be responsible and think of others, as nothing could be worse than infecting the sick, elderly or infirm. 

While some companies and people are profiting from our misfortune and misery, it is nice to know others care. Today both Rockstar Games and CD Projekt Red posted announcements onto their social media.

Rockstar Games in their announcement says that it will continue to roll out their usual schedule as planned but also is hoping to have an extra few surprises in store for gamers due to the self isolation a lot of us will experience. 

CD Projekt Red promises to not shift their release date of Cyberpunk 2077. Their team are working remotely to make sure the work still gets done. Despite prior delays the team know how to work the media and appease their fans. I was won over by the reversible cover featuring V, the female poster girl of the series, leaked on International Woman's Day. 

Also with cinemas closing, concerts cancelled and all other public meeting places being avoided, we are seeing many streaming services bringing forward their releases. Frozen 2 is being pulled forward by 3 months and hosted on Disney+, while Universal is to make Trolls World Tour, The Hunt and the Invisible Man available early on home entertainment.

With everyone so worried it would make a nice change for the media to present us with hope and joy instead of increasing our worry and causing our wallets to empty. Panic buying all over has led to shortages of many essential products and some people going without. 

Take care of those around you, stay inside if you are unwell and most of all spread the positive, as we all could do with a dose of it right now.