Looking back on pandemic-time play Courtesy Illustrations Editor Bridget Tokiwa By Mahnoor Raza March 14, 2021 Last week, I spoke about the music that brought us together this year, even as we were 6 feet (or more) apart. Music in 2020 also ventured into previously uncharted territory — namely, video games. For starters, players hosted massive virtual raves and music festivals on Minecraft, featuring artists such as 100 gecs, Charli XCX, and American Football. Even more remarkably, 2020 saw Travis Scott release his single “The Scotts” and perform a 15-minute set within the popular game Fortnite for over 12 million live viewers. Video games, more than ever, also connected people who were in search of a sense of community, with the World Health Organization even partnering with popular gaming companies to launch a #PlayApartTogether campaign last April. The pandemic popularized gaming apps such as “Houseparty,” “Skribbl.io,” and Jackbox games, all of which enable users to join a private room from anywhere in the world and play classic party games like Heads Up and Trivia. As live sports were cancelled, 7 million new gamers took up FIFA, and NBA 2K20 saw an 82% increase in players. Other notable games that occupied old and new enthusiasts alike included “Call of Duty: Warzone,” “World of Warcraft,” “The Last of Us 2,” and the controversial “Cyberpunk 2077.”