{"id":4373251,"date":"2023-02-24T17:18:20","date_gmt":"2023-02-24T15:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dept.global\/insight\/the-last-of-us-the-metaverse-and-why-gaming-is-the-gateway-to-engagement\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:38:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T11:38:11","slug":"the-last-of-us-the-metaverse-and-why-gaming-is-the-gateway-to-engagement","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.dept.global\/en-in\/insight\/the-last-of-us-the-metaverse-and-why-gaming-is-the-gateway-to-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last of Us, the metaverse, and why gaming is the gateway to engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\n\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBack to all articles\t\t<\/span>\n\t\n<\/button>\n\t\tThe Last of Us, the metaverse, and why gaming is the gateway to engagement\t<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\n\t<\/div>
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\n\t\tAnyone doubting gaming\u2019s impact should consider the newest smash hit from HBO: The Last of Us.\u00a0<\/em>

This PlayStation game was downloaded 20 million times<\/a> in six years and won several \u201cGame of the Year\u201d awards before becoming the critically-acclaimed show starring Pedro Pascal.\u00a0

Our lives are increasingly impacted by gaming culture, and brands should take note. As of 2023, there are more than 3 billion<\/a> active video gamers worldwide. It\u2019s no surprise that the video game market is worth a massive $197.11 billion<\/a>.\u00a0

The ability to socialize and play is the biggest value driver for gamers today, and immersive gameplay will be a way for brands to build stronger connections with their audiences, boost brand awareness, and stand out while making truly creative and engaging content.

At the same time, brands should also take note of the fact that their audience\u2019s lives aren\u2019t the only thing being impacted by gaming: so are emerging, experiential technologies.
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