Gaming Through Lockdown
When people think about lockdown, they often remember being stuck indoors and missing out on seeing friends and family. For me, although it was a strange and difficult time, it also created some of my favourite memories. Gaming became much more than just a hobby—it was a way to stay connected, have fun and make the most of a situation that nobody expected.
I was ten years old when the first lockdown happened, and like everyone else, I suddenly found myself spending almost all my time at home. With schools closed and football cancelled, there was very little to do. Thankfully, I had my Xbox, my friends and a game that was at the absolute peak of its popularity: Fortnite.
Gaming Through Covid-19 Pandemic
Fortnite was the game that brought us all together. Every day, after doing a bit of school work, I would jump online and play for hours with my dad, his best friend Ted and my best friend Zac. We even had our own little group called the “Hot Marat Crew”, named after one of the dances in Fortnite that we all thought was hilarious.
Looking back, it is crazy how much time we spent online together. We would play every single day, dropping into match after match and trying to get as many Victory Royales as possible. Gaming became the highlight of every day because, at a time when we could not go outside or see many people, it gave us something exciting to look forward to.
Lockdown was difficult for everyone, but gaming helped make it a lot easier. It gave us a chance to laugh, compete and forget about everything that was happening in the world for a few hours.
The Best Memories
Some of my favourite memories from lockdown are actually very simple. I remember waking up, getting my school work finished and then spending the rest of the day having the time of my life on my Xbox with my friends. There was never any pressure or stress, just lots of laughs and good times together.
Fortnite was definitely the game we all loved the most. We spent countless hours playing squads, working together and celebrating every Victory Royale we managed to get. None of us were professional gamers, and I did not achieve anything particularly special, but that was never the point. The fun came from playing together and creating memories that we still talk about today.
One of the moments I would love to relive is one of Fortnite’s live events. Staying up late with everyone online, waiting to see what was going to happen next, was such an exciting experience. It felt like the whole gaming community was sharing the same moment, and being there with my friends made it even better.
Why Those Moments Matter
Looking back now, I realise that gaming was about much more than just playing a video game. It allowed me to stay connected with the people who mattered most when we could not meet in person. Even though we were all in different houses, it felt like we were together every single day.
As we have all got older, things have changed. We still spend plenty of time together, especially playing football, but those long gaming sessions have become much less common. In a way, that makes those lockdown memories even more special because they remind me of a unique time that we all shared.
When I think back to lockdown, I do not just remember staying indoors. I remember laughing with my dad, Ted and Zac, celebrating Victory Royales and being part of the Hot Marat Crew. Those evenings were some of the best days of my childhood, and they are memories that I know I will never forget.