The Coronavirus pandemic is only growing larger with each passing day. Most people are staying inside, stores are closing down, transit is diminished– it seems like an entirely different world. With all the changes, it may be hard to find something positive.
While there are those who have no thoughts for anyone other than themselves, most people realise its important for everyone to work together. Politicians are putting partisan differences aside (sort of), those with jobs are working from home, and manufacturers are retooling their machinery to meet demand on things like sanitizer and toilet paper.
Now, though not nearly as ambitious or necessary, are video games. Video games seem to be what most are turning to while stuck indoors. Why wouldn’t they? They provide hours of entertainment, can help teach, allow interaction outside of the physical world and can test skills/reflexes. They transport the player(s) to a different world, more enveloping than a movie or show. At this point, if it keeps people from gathering outside, anything is acceptable.
To help do their part, the developers at Image & Form have announced that the first 1,000 to register for a code will receive a free copy of one of their games. These include SteamWorld Dig, SteamWorld Dig 2, SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition, and SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech. To register, you can use this link. You will have the option of either a Nintendo Switch or Steam version of whichever game you choose.
Square Enix has also made an announcement in the same vein, though it is probably over by the time this has posted. They were giving away free Steam copies of Tomb Raider (2013) and Tomb Raider: Temple of Osiris. They were part of the “Stay Home and Play” initiative but had an extra bonus– anyone who downloaded them got to keep them for good. Unfortunately, if you didn’t snag one, it ended on March 23, 11:59 PDT.
So, those who are staying home…you really have no excuse now. Play some video games! They’re good for the soul, and great for preserving sanity.
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