The World Health Organization decided to add video games to its list of officially recognized addictions last year, but now — with concerns over COVID-19 keeping many stuck indoors, and video games being a primarily indoors activity — it seems that now more than ever, video games are the safest way to pass the time.

There has been a lot of attention given to the negative effects of video games, but many studies have found positive aspects to playing such as an increased performance in math and science, increased self-esteem and ability to problem solve. Mark MacDonald is the senior vice president of business development and production at the game development company Enhance Experience and hosts the gaming podcast, “8-4 Play.” He believes video games are as beneficial to a person as any other artistic medium.

“They provide an escape," he says. "They help you learn about others, about yourself, and they let you try on different experiences and feel different things as an active participant in a way that maybe a book or more passive art form doesn’t.”