Whether powered by pixels or pure imagination, gaming offers players a way to forget the outside world. But when the stakes become real, is it really just a game?

This week on The Yarn, we’re bringing you stories about the comforts and consequences of gaming, how it helps some players cope, and how it can leave others more drained than when they logged in.

Featuring stories by Dylan Claringbold, Olivia Tan, and Bobbi Hewitt.

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