by Onakoya Toluwanimi

Social media went into a frenzy when Sony released a demo video, earlier this week, displaying sneak peeks of the graphics of the highly anticipated PS5. The latest edition of the Playstation series is projected to be the most powerful gaming console yet.

Nigerian men wasted no time in tweeting jokes about great lengths they would go to get their girlfriends to buy them the console upon release. The loud cheering and chatter about video games highlighted the shift of attention that’s occurred in the media industry. People receiving no content from the sporting sector have looked to gaming for recreational activities.

Me laughing at all my girl jokes so she can get me the PS5 pic.twitter.com/YP3eCHGcFp

— Saiyan Prince (@VegetaBurner) May 21, 2020

“So baby, when are you going to get me the new Ps5” pic.twitter.com/DDlhOnAzU3

— Aros (@Damii_aros) May 21, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic halted the world, putting several industries on pause. The resulting quarantine situation has resulted in the cancellation of several outdoor activities such as sports. Sporting bodies took the incentive and began to cancel and reschedule planned events to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. One of such sporting activities is football; the favourite viewing pastime for many Nigerians.

After she buys me the PS5 pic.twitter.com/ko1MetPWca

— Cryptic (@CrypticNoOne) May 21, 2020

Ever since the cancellations, Nigerians have whined about the draining boredom and their eagerness for football to return to their screens. In the time being, many have turned to video gaming for recreation and entertainment.

Gaming serves as the perfect source of indoor type entertainment for millions of people that have been forced to stay home. It is in turn recording flourishing sales as a result of this sudden attention. Although the industry has not escaped unscathed by the current pandemic. Production of gaming consoles and gadgets has been made difficult due to stay at home orders while trade events and expos had to be rescheduled or cancelled.

Despite this, the gaming industry still boasts of a sturdy inflow of new audience members. BBC reports that companies such as Microsoft and Steam have recorded major increases in gaming user numbers. Nigerians are actively substituting physical soccer games with sport video games like Fifa to engage themselves during this period.

On the FIFA platform, individuals are given the opportunity to manage their favourite football teams, build teams, construct formations, and strategically place players in positions that could give the team an edge over the opponent – every football fan’s dream.

Although they continue to search for other alternatives to sate their desire for some sporting action, nothing can replace the real deal. Nigerians continue to longingly hope for when things would eventually return back to ‘normal’ and many can go back to cheering football players on the TV screen.