Gotta say, Animal Crossing during Covid was a god send. I spent a lot of time in that game just putzing around and taking in the world. I'm not traditionally a person who enjoys those types of games, but the routine of hopping in every morning while I had coffee and every evening while I was winding down really lowered my stress level during an exceptionally stressful time in everyone's lives.

As much as it was a meme, I really did see a split in what folks enjoyed between Doom and Animal Crossing during covid, and they basically boiled down to the same thing: yeah, this game is so relaxing, I just turn my brain off and play.

Doom: all flow state, no thoughts, just execution.

Animal Crossing: cozy, comfortable, routine.

Funny how both accomplish similar things despite being so different on the surface.

Warzone became my friend groups defacto 3rd space during covid, and I don't love shooters but the game loop had considerable down time where you were just exploring the massive map with friends while preparing, and able to chat like you were at a cafe or a pub. We had lockdowns here, so that social interaction was so important.

After the lockdowns people slowly drifted back into normality, full time work etc, and we all stopped playing together.