Online gaming has ballooned in popularity during the pandemic, offering a social outlet amid lockdowns. By making gaming-friendly streaming service Twitch a key pillar of its Prime subscription service, Amazon is appealing to a broad landscape of mainstream and niche interests.

At the start of the pandemic, Niantic – the makers of Pokémon Go – introduced new rules to make sure players could still take part while social distancing. Some players are pushing for these rules to continue, to keep the game inclusive for cautious players and maintain accessibility benefits.

As the pandemic continues to upend the experience economy, nostalgic collectors' items have become markers of luxury, as well as a source of comfort and familiarity. Some people have been flocking to the toys of their youth, turning items like Pokémon cards into sought-after luxuries.

As lockdown measures have kept people cooped up at home, video gaming has emerged as a vital source of entertainment and connection for Australians across age groups. How might the pandemic influence the way people engage with this leisure pursuit (and tech more broadly) in the future?