Gaming has quite a few negative connotations. It can be sexist, sedentary, cause eye strain, affect sleep, trigger aggression and is addictive. However, it can also be an oasis of escapism for people struggling with chronic conditions that leave them in pain, tired, isolated and alone. Not only can the games themselves help people in myriad ways, but the communities that sprout up around the games have become havens for those seeking connections with others who share their limitations and struggles. Finding friends as an adult can be hard, but when you are chronically ill, it’s close to impossible.

Perhaps the most heartwarming story of the power of the gaming community is that of Mats Steen. This Norwegian gamer had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spent most of his time inside World of Warcraft. When he died at the age of 25, his family discovered that he had cultivated an extraordinary network of friends across the world and his story has become the subject of a Netflix documentary.