The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with several major video game publishers to promote the #PlayApartTogether initiative, which encourages people to play video games together while staying home and practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is this again? This is the same global organization that recently pushed the idea of “gaming addiction,” so you know things are changing when they partner with gaming companies like Activision Blizzard (Overwatch, Destiny 2), Riot Games (League of Legends), and Pocket Gems (War Dragons), along with streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming.

The big picture: The idea here is to encourage people to follow WHO guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing, washing your hands, and practicing good coughing and sneezing etiquette.

What they said: “Physical distancing shouldn’t mean social isolation! Let’s stay physically apart — and practice other public health measures like hand hygiene — to help flatten the curve and #PlayApartTogether to get through this crisis,” Riot Games CEO Nicolo Laurent said in a statement. “For Rioters, playing games is more than just a game; it’s a meaningful life activity. And now, for the billions of players around the world, playing games can help save lives. Let’s beat this COVID-19 boss battle together.”