In response to the coronavirus pandemic, people over the world are making their contributions to the health of the community by staying at home. Entertainment providers are also giving back in their own way, by providing games and content completely free of charge for those who are stuck at home. Through these unique initiatives, game providers are encouraging gamers to practice physical distancing and keep the world safe.
In another approach, many are using the extra time at home to create new web ventures. This could include using web builders to create platforms for a gaming clan or a games review site. Those that decide to make own website will find more opportunities open to them in the future.
Play At Home
Sony has introduced its own efforts to connect with gamers and promote the current stay-at-home measures. The Play At Home initiative offers PlayStation 4 users the chance to download Journey and Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for free.
The current offer is between April 15 and May 5 and is only for those with a PS4. Gamers can download the games from the PlayStation Store and then keep them for an unlimited time. Watch this space as more games may be released for free in the near future.
In another charitable move, Sony has also started a fund of $10 million to help independent game developers that are hard hit by the global recession. This is a generous measure from the games giant, who knows it is the smaller companies that keep the industry diverse.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection
The Nathan Drake Collection is a series of three games: Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves and Drake’s Deception. It is an action-adventure storytelling epic from NaughtyDog that was later rebuilt by Bluepoint Games for the PS4.
Nathan Drake is one of the best gaming franchises in the action-adventure genre, and now it is even more impressive after being remastered. The series follows the eponymous hero, treasure hunter Nathan Drake, as he makes his way around the world, uncovering historical mysteries. The games feature stunning locations, excellent characters, and a well thought out narrative. On playing the games back to back, players can appreciate the evolution and craft of the games.
In the newly remastered versions, the games have a new vibrancy at 1080p resolution. The graphical updates have been applied without flaws, and there is a consistency of mechanics throughout the games. The speedrunning modes are also more challenging, which gives the updated games a new edge.
Journey
Journey, from Thatgamecompany and Santa Monica Studios, is an indie adventure game that was first released on PS3 in 2012. It was updated for PS4 in 2015, then again for Windows and iOS in 2019.
This game has a simple gameplay that follows a robed figure in a desert environment. The story is wordless and is told only through gameplay. This leaves a minimalist effect in a backdrop of beautiful and simple graphics, and evocative sound design.
The cloaked traveller has the sole objective of reaching the shining mountain in the distance. This journey will be beset with encounters and challenges along the way, such as sand that sticks to his cloak.
The game is around 90 minutes long, and with its nuanced gameplay mechanics and beautiful aesthetics, many will want to play again straight away. Journey is an incredible and unique experience that will create lasting memories.
We all hope that the coronavirus can be controlled so that everyone can go back to their ordinary lives. But while the restrictive measures are still in place, at least gaming is one thing that we can still enjoy.