The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the world and affected many lives and businesses including the gaming industry. Major public events like the PAX East event, Tokyo Con, and others had to either be canceled, postponed to 2021, or become virtual events such as the recent Game Awards 2020 event. However, gaming has been one way people have stayed connected through the pandemic.
Players have connected by playing on gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PC, or Nintendo Switch during all this time, and some game companies and developers have tried to advance programs to keep people connected through gaming. A recent example is the “Xbox: Beyond Generations” initiative that seeks to connect players across different generations with their loved ones by encouraging gaming.
According to Xbox Wire, the initiative encourages gaming between different generations to help overcome the generational divide between old and young family members. The goal is to help address the issue older adults face with loneliness within their communities and families, which has been worsened by the pandemic. Xbox: Beyond Generations aims to build vital connections between family members through gaming, which is possible with services like Xbox Live and playing games through Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox released a video earlier today that showcased this very goal between connecting old and young players with a grandfather, Howard, and his grandson Dhillon. The video shows how the two were very close in past years but slowly drifted apart as time went on. However, Dhillon introduced his grandfather to gaming on the Xbox, and the two found a way to hang out again. They’ve strengthened their bonds by playing games like Forza Horizon 4.
The video shows them playing multiplayer games such as Forza Horizon, the swashbuckling Sea of Thieves, and the ever-popular Minecraft. But they do more than gaming as Howard and Dillon tell how their days went, share stories, learn new things, and overall have fun together. The video highlights the fun of gaming and the positive effect it can have on people’s lives.
Xbox has partnered with charities before, and it will be partnering with charities around the globe to push the initiative further. Xbox will be supporting Age UK and Age International, charity organizations that provide aid to older citizens when needed, especially when they have no one to count on. Age International has been working to provide emotional, social, and physical support to older people through various programs across the world.
One such program is the volunteer program Age UK Digital Buddy, where volunteers help familiarize older people with technology including gaming. With 2020 nearly over, players of all ages have the chance to play together this holiday season.
Source: Xbox
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