Pixel P&L: Video Games and Mental Health Innovation

Good morning. It's Friday, June 28. Today, we explore how video games have evolved into mental health tools, highlight Mortal's nomination for Esports Personality of the Year, and cover Philips' latest BGMI tournament. Read on for more updates in gaming and youth entertainment.

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The relationship between video games and mental health has always sparked intense debate. Traditionally viewed as a source of concern, particularly among parents, recent studies are offering a more nuanced perspective. Emerging research indicates that video games may not only be a benign pastime but could also provide surprising mental health benefits.

While some reports continue to emphasize the potential risks of excessive gaming, especially among adolescents, a noteworthy shift is occurring. Video games are increasingly being utilized in therapeutic settings to address depression and anxiety, demonstrating promise in mental health treatment.

In our latest feature, Surya engages with a leading mental health professional to delve into how the gaming industry has evolved over the last few years and what these developments signify for the future of mental health. 

Popular Battlegrounds Mobile India star, Naman “Mortal” Mathur, has once again been nominated for the Esports Personality of the Year Award 2024. This marks the third consecutive year that Mathur has been recognized in this category at The Esports Awards, highlighting his sustained influence and popularity within the esports sphere.

Last year’s winner, Jeremy “Disguised Toast” Wang, and Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag, who won in 2022, are also competing in the category. Other nominees include Tarik “tarik” Çelik, Seth “scump” Abner, Ibai “Ibai” Llanos, James Banks, Marc “Caedrel” Lamont, and Bruno "Nobru" Goes.

This year, for the first time, the Esports Awards has split its ceremony into two separate events. The first will take place on August 24th as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the second will occur later in the year in London. The London ceremony will focus more on the Pro categories, including fan favorites such as Esports Player of the Year and Esports Team of the Year.

The decision to host part of the event in Riyadh has sparked criticism, with concerns about sportswashing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its treatment of women and other vulnerable communities. 

Conor McGregor Enters Hitman World

MMA fighter Conor McGregor steps into the digital arena today as a new Elusive Target in Hitman World of Assassination, IO Interactive revealed. This special mission, developed with McGregor's input, casts players in the role of Agent 47, tasked with eliminating The Disruptor—a millionaire fighter entangled in a corporate feud. The mission, available for a limited time, is offered free to both new and existing players through the Free Starter Pack and Elusive Target Arcade. 

Web3 Gaming Raised $160 Million Last Year

Helika, an analytics platform, unveiled a report today in collaboration with Pantera Capital, showing that Web3 games secured over $160 million in funding from February 2023 to February 2024. The report also highlighted more than 200,000 weekly gaming transactions across various blockchain networks in 2023. It examined the use of artificial intelligence in game development, noting improvements in both speed and player experience. Additionally, the report indicated that 70% of leading Web2 studios, including Square Enix and Ubisoft, are exploring Web3 opportunities. 

Philips Reveals OneBlade Cup 2024

Philips has announced the OneBlade Cup tournament, aiming to identify India's next top BGMI team. Open to all, the tournament will see teams of four players competing in qualifiers, with the top 16 advancing to the Grand Finale. The winner of the Grand Finale will secure a sponsorship deal with Philips and a spot in BGMS 2024.

Roblox Announces “4D Generative AI” for Enhanced Interactivity

Roblox is introducing "4D generative AI" to enhance interactivity in character and object creation. This technology allows players to use text or voice prompts to create dynamic 3D objects, such as drivable race cars. "With 4D generative AI, Roblox has opened up a new frontier for experience and asset creation," the company stated, emphasizing their innovation process involving internal R&D, university collaborations, and community-driven prototypes.

Did you know that in the early 1980s, long before digital game distribution became mainstream, a revolutionary service called GameLine allowed Atari 2600 owners to download games over regular phone lines. Launched in 1983 by Control Video Corporation (CVC), GameLine was an innovative precursor to modern digital game platforms like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Users could access the service through a specially designed modem that plugged into the Atari 2600 cartridge slot and connected to a standard telephone line. For a subscription fee, gamers could download a wide selection of titles from CVC's library. Each game would remain playable for a limited time, effectively renting digital versions long before cloud gaming or Xbox GamePass was conceived.

GameLine also featured an online bulletin board system, enabling users to communicate and compete for high scores, making it an early forerunner to today’s multiplayer and social gaming environments. Despite its forward-thinking approach, the service was short-lived, partly due to the video game crash of 1983 and limited consumer adoption.