Why Video Games and Esports Will Thrive Post-Pandemic

The gaming industry hit record high sales and viewership in the first quarter of 2020, solidifying its place in mainstream culture as an essential entertainment option. Industry leaders looking ahead at a post-COVID world say they expect demand to level off from current quarantine highs but agree that the pandemic has permanently shifted the trajectory of gaming. “The esports spike will correct and return closer to the norm, and some ratings will drop as we get life back to normal — but we have permanently increased the ecosystem’s economic and cultural relevance,” said Jason Lake, chief executive of Complexity Gaming, the sister esports organization of the Dallas Cowboys.