Navigating reality has become an almost constant shock to the system. With the ongoing cost of living crisis, wars, political polarisation, and global environmental issues, life’s stresses are becoming increasingly difficult to escape. With individuals and collectives in a perpetual state of disturbance, peop...

A budding online community is forming around cozy gaming – a genre of low-stakes, non-violent video games designed for relaxation. As myriad global crises drive stress levels to new heights, people are retreating into calming hobbies and re-centering their pastimes around community and wellbeing.

TikTok creators are cosplaying as NPCs (Non-Playable Characters) with formulaic phrases and movements on live streams. Performing generic catchphrases and reactions in exchange for cash, the fad points towards a decline in conventional influencer status and the ubiquitous nature of gaming culture.

Gamification makes app use a habitual part of daily life, but as people spend more and more time within app ecosystems, the lines between escapism, ease and addiction are beginning to blur. Our Spotlight on gamification asks: how can brands use gamification to create new value and purpose for customers?

Anime-style gaming – what was once meant to appeal to a subculture of people during the pandemic has since exploded into the mainstream, redefining the whole gaming industry. With a myriad of companies already in line to ride this great wave – how significant will this shift be?