Two-thirds of Americans, 227 million, play video games. For many games were an escape, stress relief in pandemic

Yes, we did play more video games during the coronavirus pandemic. Hey, when you are asked to stay at home and social distance as a way to stop or at least slow the spread of COVID-19, who could blame you for bingeing on "Animal Crossing," "Call of Duty" or "Fortnite." More than half of players (55%) said they played more games during the pandemic, and most players (90%) said they will continue playing after the country opens up, according to a survey of 4,000 U.S. adults conducted by market research firm Ipsos in February 2021 for the Entertainment Software Association. For players during the pandemic, video games were a source of stress relief (55%) and distraction (48%), the survey found. Video games also served as an escape and a break for children, 71% of parents surveyed said.