Betty Ginette
The importance of entertainment is emphasized now more than ever. For most of human history, entertainment was seen as superfluous; a waste of time and an indulgence that many could not afford. However, with the growing interest in and understand of psychology we now understand just how important entertainment is.
It helps us keep steady in the face of overwhelming stress and pressure. Studies have shown that those who manage to balance entertainment with work live a healthier and happier life. Not only that, but they also tend to work harder. That is why companies are now offering free time even during work hours, at least in some places.
But, in the hustle and bustle of the modern age entertainment is difficult to come by. Rarely do we have time to visit a casino, party in clubs, or catch a film. Luckily, technological developments have given us the means to have fun while at home or on the go. Digital and home entertainment seem to be the way of the future. What kind of future can we expect to see if that is the case?
Online Gaming is Big
Video games are the fastest growing market in entertainment right now. They are the medium that is most closely tied to technology. Knowing this, we can certainly understand why they are such a hit. There have certainly been fascinating single-player games. However, most people agree that it is better to play with friends or even strangers. That is where online gaming comes in. The broad term encompasses everything from single-player games on the internet to massively multiplayer AAA titles.
What is most impressive is that online gaming has spawned several hybrid markets. The best example would be iGaming. iGaming is a catch all term that encompasses any and all forms of online gambling. Players can now get a taste of the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas or Monte Carlo while relaxing on their couch. For those who want to experience it first hand, Casino Days is a trusted online casino that hosts some of the most popular games on the internet right now.
Immersion is the Name of the Game
The goal of most creatives right now seems to be immersion. Customers value immersive experiences. They want to get lost in the world of a television show or truly become absorbed in a highly thought out video game. Even online entertainers understand that their fans are looking for some sort of immersion and do their best to play into it. But, how do these creatives achieve an immersive experience?
Virtual reality seems to be the simplest way to truly immerse an audience. Science fiction writers have been dreaming about a fully-digital world since the 1930s. The mastermind of cyberpunk, William Gibson, was the one to name cyberspace. But, the concept predates even his best work by five decades. While virtual reality is nowhere near on the level that many imagine it to be, we can certainly see a future where we aren’t far off from TRON or Ready Player One.
Social media lends another level of immersion. Online content creators especially benefit from social media interactions with their fans and followers. It manages to build on the parasocial relationship that many fans have with their creators. It fosters a sense of community and belonging. Of course, at times these parasocial relationships can grow out of hand. Many online content creators try their best to strike a balance between a healthy dynamic and feeding into obsessive behaviors.
Streaming Services Are Innovating
Streaming is perhaps one of the most important innovations in the realm of entertainment. However, the competition right now is rather steep. Netflix may be on top. But, there are so many streaming services arising that the future is not looking very cut and dry. That means that even the most innovative streaming services must continue to push the boundaries. The main direction most are heading towards seems to be predicated on three pillars; personalization, immersion, and interactivity.
- Personalization: Customers don’t want to sift through shows and films, hoping to find something they like. They want their content delivered to them. That is what the essence of personalization is. Streaming services can program machine learning algorithms to analyze a customer’s history. Based on said history they create a personal catalogue for every single user on the platform. No more hours of looking for a film just to end up re-watching the same show.
- Immersion: Streaming services are well aware of the importance of immersion. We already touched on VR. But, immersion doesn’t stop there. Streaming services have partnered with theaters to give audiences the best possible experience. For example, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia film will release on iMax before hitting Netflix. The theater experience remains one of the most immersive for film-goers. Streaming services want what is best for their customers. That is how they retain an audience after all.
- Interactivity: Not only does interactivity mean keeping in touch with fans and customers, but it also refers to the new art forms that require audience interaction. Streaming services have begun collaborating with game developers and celebrities in order to create “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories. While these stories are not new, it is interesting to see them on the silver screen with a big budget.
These three pillars seem to be the main focus of the entertainment industry right now. They’ve proven incredible successful. Shows and films now have passionate and dedicated audience, more so than at any point in history. Of course, the innovations will continue and our excitement for what is to come is quite high.
Some Final Thoughts
Entertainment markets today are more impressive than we could have ever imagined. Even two decades ago, nobody could have imagined that they would be sitting on their couch and experiencing cinema levels of comfort and immersion. What is more, new mediums of entertainment are arising online. From game streams to competitive gaming, and so much more. The future of entertainment certainly looks bright.
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