Yes, well I know that it is not necessarily the most appropriate title but it sums up a thought that came to my mind today.
Over a month that we are now confining, condemn to see the same people indefinitely (for the lucky ones who are confined with someone). It is only natural that we turned to digital entertainment. Let’s start with the streaming plateforms
Big opponent of traditional TV, these are characterized by big emblematic names such as Netflix, Amazon Prime or even more recently Disney +. Even if I am not personally a customer, I wanted, as a digital media enthusiast, to take an interest in the increase in views on these platforms in these times of lockdown, and it confirmed my opinion:
The action of the largest platform, Netflix, has seen an increase of almost 40%. Even if this trend is only ephemeral and caused by the lockdown, it is almost sure that it will have a lasting impact on the figures of the platform, already well above its direct competitors. The causes of the continuity of this trend: the laziness of new subscribers to take the initiative to unsubscribe after the lockdown, or simply the part of the audience which discovered and was conquered by Netflix during this period. We do not yet know the exact increase in the number of new subscribers (The platform having the habit of not revealing them until mid-end of the month), but it is sure that Netflix, which had 110 million subscribers per month of Mars, take advantage of this situation.
In another area, we can also talk about the great evolution of Zoom, the web conferencing company. More professional than Skype and simplier and more accessible to use than her other opponent, it also knew how to take advantage of the situation which forced the majority of companies to make their employees work from home. There is indeed, in one month, an increase of 40.75% (98.5 € on March 16 against 138.5 € on April 16). Again, I remain convinced that the evolution of this society will not be just a fad: indeed, with the lockdown, many companies have discovered and seen the benefits of working from home for their employees. I would not be surprised if some of them decide to keep, or at least partially incorporate, this type of work into their habits. To be continued then.
Finally, and to finish on a subject a little closer to my interests, we can talk about the incredible and worthy timing of Animal Crossing New Horizon, one of the last games produced by Nintendo.
Indeed, this game saw his European release date (March 20) roughly coincide with the confinement of the majority of the countries of this same continent. And this made itself impact on the ranking: it rose directly to the top of the games sold, ahead of Doom Eternals, Call of Duty or even Fifa 20. A real success so, but what are the causes?
For me, it is quite simply : his concept. A game in which it is possible to develop your virtual island by means of quests and interactions with virtual characters or even real people. He therefore had the perfect characteristics to peform during this period: the cocooning and exotic aspect of our virtual island, to counter the monotony of our apartment; his social dimension which allows many friends to progress together in the game and therefore to be able to continue talking during this lockdown period; the nostalgia side also: the majority of the former players of the last edition of this saga, Animal Crossing New Leaf, now having the age to be able to buy themselves the edition of the game and to offer themselve a bit of nostalgia ; and finally the very”all public” aspect, specific to the Japanese firm, and which had much ease to conquer this new player audience (let’s call them “players of Lockdown”) than a Doom Eternals, bloody and violent game or even than a Fifa, more focused on male players)
All these parameters leading to domination of the last Nintendo game, and for several more months in my opinion.
Simon LD
