Some thoughts on where we go during & after COVID-19.

Mostly Gaming. Also Tech & Govt.

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- Lockdown & self isolation leads to a surge in gaming and video time / spend. 1- Is safe. 2- Pass the time / escapism. 3- Offline retail, entertainment, tourism are not options.

- Primarily boosts online competitive and live service games. 1- AAA experiences. 2- Stay in touch with friends. 3- New content to drive engagement.

- Also boosts non competitive games with social/online elements. 1- Metaverse concept 2- Explore game worlds with friends.

- Continued shift from physical to digital in terms of full game sales and add on content. 1- Retail disruption. 2- More convenient 3- ISP's remove caps.

- Physical has a short term boost through retail games and peripherals. 1- Games for lockdown. 2- Home office / gaming setup.

- Streaming to become more popular in terms of both viewership and number of streamers. 1- More people at home watching streams, tipping, subscribing. 2- Traditional media / sports / other industry figures move to game/non-game live streaming on platforms such as Twitch/Youtube.

- Short term impact on esports as offline events are cancelled and an online format is created that maintains competitive integrity.

- Switch to online format will only partially solve the issue and offline events for fans are still needed to grow the esports industry.

- Esports can easily adapt to the online format given the digital nature of video games. Traditional sports cannot easily adapt but we will see virtual sports takes off soon enough. e.g. Nascar iRacing / F1 virtual grand prix.

- User generated content boom in video games.

- Gaming will survive a recession.

Shift to F2P / subscription = More affordable.

Cloud + Mobile + Cross Play / Save = More players / platforms.

Online + Content drops = Increased engagement/ spend / longer lifecycle.

Gaming ecosystem is low investment vs other entertainment

- Shift to remote work, online meetings and online classrooms. Hybrid approach will be taken in the future as these tools become fully integrated into workplaces/schools.

- 5G to enable more online connectivity worldwide + rise of super apps for all aspects of life + payments.

- Physical distancing + stricter hygiene measures become the new normal as the global nature of the pandemic becomes apparent.

- Travel restrictions not just between countries but between cities and states will be imposed.

- Demand for certain non essential goods drops.

- New technologies and advancements in medical health sector. e.g. remote diagnosis and treatment.

- Continued exploration of robotics and automation to carry out manufacturing or warehouse jobs.

- Realisation that localised supply chains are a must for certain sectors.

- Health concerns used as a reason for expansion of state power and surveillance. National security focused.

- The response of the government to COVID-19 will shape the response of the people and will influence the direction of countries for the next decade and beyond.

- Governments will take one of two approaches.

- An authoritarian and nationalist approach, scapegoating the most vulnerable in society.

- Or democratic socialism with an expansion of welfare states.

The people of the country playing a large role in whichever is embraced.

- The above will lead to a shift on how each country views each other on the world stage, with some rising in power whilst others crumble.

- This will be a world changing year for many, not even directly because of the virus, but because of what it brings indirectly.

In summary.

2020 will be a year of massive change because of COVID-19. Yes, gaming, streaming, esports and other digital entertainment will continue to grow and see benefits.

But that is only one aspect and we shouldn't forget just how impactful everything else could be.