Riding On The Games Self-Quarantined Filipinos Play And Tweet About

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LIFESTYLE, GAMING | August 19, 2020

Animal Crossing: New Horizons avatars wearing traditional Filipino outfits including the barong Tagalog for gentlemen and baro't saya for ladies (Image Source: Ungeek.ph)

The implementation of strict lockdown and quarantine measures due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in many parts of the globe has forced residents of all ages, more particularly the most venerable ones, to stay safe within the comforts of their own homes and distance themselves from others whenever there is something to do such as purchasing basic goods and performing banking transactions among anything else. While many of them keep themselves entertained with their loved ones by keeping an eye on their own online businesses and even binge-watching their favorite TV series and movies, there are those who spend part of their time playing their favorite video games and eventually sharing their best and fondest moments via social media.

Since the start of the lockdown periods in most countries during the near end of the first quarter of 2020 including the Philippines, gaming is slowly becoming part of the new normal for those who are playing and staying safe inside their homes. This is strongly evidenced literally by the growing demand for video game consoles, video games, gaming-centric smartphones and accessories complementing one's home console or mobile gaming experience and the presence of online stores and merchants that sell these aforementioned products. The Philippines, in fact, is no stranger or no different from gaming in the time of pandemic as Filipino gamers are browsing on the likes of DataBlitz and Game One PH to see what games are available in the market and can be availed without the need to go to any of their branches within the neighborhood.

Many Filipinos also consider gaming as a way to interact with others who have also confined themselves inside their own homes for their safety and well-being and share their experiences on the games that they have been playing during their free time after a hard day's work and crammy to their friends on social media, more particularly on Twitter. Speaking of Twitter, it would be surprisingly intriguing for us to learn that the Philippines is now listed among the top ten countries with the most number of tweets about gaming. In the case of the most tweeted about games in the country since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and Luzon last March, it would obviously be Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch, DOTA 2, PUBG (Playerunknown's Battlegrounds) and Final Fantasy according to the microblogging giant.

If you're asking me which of these most tweeted about games is considered to be the video game of the new normal, my most obvious and essential answer would be Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the third highest-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time. Why? Check out how many times the game has been featured in various local and international news outlets where gamers and government employees showcase their creativity and motivation in their own grounds such as a reimagining of a memorable spot from real-life such as KFC or the secret garden from Howl's Moving Castle. Then there are times when self-quarantined compete against each other in DOTA 2 and PUBG for pride and proving grounds while others tend to gander at the marvelous storytelling while playing Final Fantasy and other related RPG games. Yes, gaming at the time of pandemic is something we need to ride on in these challenging times and this could be shifted into one amazing effort not only to keep yourself active and good, but also to inspire others clamoring for what is best for now.