WijmanT. (2019) The global games market will generate $152.1 billion in 2019 as the U.S. overtakes China as the biggest market. https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/the-global-games-market-will-generate-152-1-billion-in-2019-as-the-u-s-overtakes-china-as-the-biggest-market/ (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
2.
Statista. (2020) Increase in video game sales during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide as of March 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109977/video-game-sales-covid/ (accessed Dec.3, 2020).
3.
WiederholdBK. Violent video games: harmful trigger or harmless diversion?. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, & Social Networking, 2021; 24:1–2.
4.
RichtelM. (2021) Children's screen time has soared in the pandemic, alarming parents and researchers. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
5.
BBC Newsround. (2021) Lockdown: has playing video games helped you stay in touch with your friends? https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56068020/ (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
6.
EspinerT. (2020) Covid-19: Nintendo profits triple as games boom continues. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54813841 (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
7.
WhalenA. (2020) People are having their birthday parties in “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” to maintain social distancing. https://www.newsweek.com/animal-crossings-new-horizons-multiplayer-birthday-party-social-distancing-1495608 (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
8.
PaulK. (2020) Dating, a talk show and a dominatrix: Animal Crossing gamers explore new horizons during pandemic. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/may/09/animal-crossing-nintendo-game-coronavirus-pandemic (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
9.
AntonelliW, HaaschP. (2020) A couple held a wedding in “Animal Crossing” after coronavirus forced them to cancel their real-world ceremony. https://www.insider.com/animal-crossing-wedding-coronavirus-social-distancing-2020-3 (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
10.
StraussE. (2020) Why now is the time to embrace video games for kids. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/27/health/video-games-socialization-pandemic-wellness/index.html (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
11.
JohannesN, VuorreM, PrzybylskiAK. (2021) Video game play is positively correlated with well-being. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.202049 (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
12.
Kovess-MasfetyV, KeyesK, HamiltonA, et al.Is time spent playing video games associated with mental health, cognitive and social skills in young children?. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2016; 51:349–357.
13.
KnorrC. (2020) How video games can help kids socialize during this isolated time. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/article/video-games-might-be-good-for-kids-now-coronavirus (accessed Mar.1, 2021).
14.
LenhartA. (2015) Chapter 3: video games are key elements in friendships for many boys. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/08/06/chapter-3-video-games-are-key-elements-in-friendships-for-many-boys/ (accessed Mar.1, 2021).