The world has gone digital. The world wide web makes it possible for most of us to access any information or entertainment with just a few clicks of a button. It is true that the internet became widely available in the late past century. But it wasn’t until the modern era that new digital landscapes were opened to the general public.
There was certainly an adjustment period for those who were anxious about this new technology. But with new generations growing up online, digital leisure has become a key part of modern life. Customers today don’t just want a digital option for their entertainment; they expect it. But how has this new era of digital leisure come to pass?
Online Gaming Played a Huge Role
The success of the gaming industry is plain to see. Games were once considered little more than children’s toys. Nintendo and SEGA systems were a huge hit among kids, but rarely if ever could one see an adult playing titles like Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog. But that has obviously changed in the decades that followed. There are now games being made with every demographic in mind. The growing popularity of gaming culture has had a profound influence on the realm of digital entertainment.
We see the effects of gamification are most present in the growing iGaming sector. The global popularity of slots online at Casino Days and similar platforms is undeniable. But would these platforms have been as big a hit if it weren’t for the inclusion of gaming tropes like leaderboards and competitions? It is difficult to say to what extent gaming culture influenced the success of internet gambling. But there is no denying that it has greatly contributed to its immense growth.
Games themselves have also greatly contributed to the growing success of digital leisure. The introduction of online multiplayer was a real game changer in the industry. Players no longer had to be present in the same room, or even in the same nation to play together. Fans of a particularly notable video game could meet and interact even if they were an ocean away. The sense of community played a huge role in developing the personal and immersive aspects of the industry, leading to a balanced social life.
Streaming Services Were Instrumental
The success of gaming was certainly key in creating the modern home entertainment market that we often take for granted. But if the average person were to say which industry was instrumental to the creation of the industry as we know it, they would almost instinctively point to the streaming sector. Netflix revolutionized the way we engage with entertainment and television when they went from a video delivery service to a streaming platform. What is most fascinating about the transition is that not many believed it would work out. It came as a shock to some to see how far Netflix would rise.
The success of Netflix quickly led to other services spawning in hopes of getting a slice of the pie. There are too many streaming services today to count all of them. But quite a few have risen to the top of the industry to rival the original. Hulu and Amazon Prime seem to be the two most prominent ones outside of Netflix. But companies like Disney are also doing their best to break into the streaming market. The launch of Disney+ may not have been the best. But the service has come a long way in a few short years.
The most fascinating thing about streaming is that it isn’t restricted to just the top entertainment companies. Online entertainment markets are also thriving because of this new technology. The DIY spirit needn’t be reserved for transforming your bedroom alone. There are plenty of independent creators who have found success streaming on YouTube and Twitch. These services provide hours of free and exciting entertainment that manages to attract billions of viewers every year. Some YouTube stars have even grown so big that they’ve broken into Hollywood to star in hit films and TV shows.
Why Digital Entertainment is a Hit
We’ve talked about how digital leisure became a staple of the average household. But the more interesting question to ask is why it has come to this. We are far from the first to tackle the subject. Think pieces and scientific dissertations have been written on the subject of home entertainment and why it is a hit. But what we would like to do is deliver some very basic reasons in a digestible format. It is easy to understand why digital entertainment is such a massive hit at the end of the day.
The main reason that online leisure has become most people’s go to is because it is easily accessible. Fans can get their fix of a TV show or a movie at any point during the day. They needn’t wait for a specific time slot or a theatric release. Convenience and accessibility is the name of the game when it comes to digital leisure. But it is less about the convenience and more about the control that fans get over their entertainment. The modern consumer controls not just what show they watch, but the pace at which they watch it. That sense of control is instrumental to the success of digital entertainment.
How Digital Entertainment Will Change
The biggest question that people are asking today is how the online entertainment market can possibly change in the future. There is a lot to love about streaming and online gaming of course. But the one thing that people may miss is the immersion and social aspect of it all. That is why so many are convinced that virtual reality is going to be the future of entertainment.
Virtual reality combines the convenience of digital leisure with the joy of face-to-face social interaction. Imagine a multiplayer online game that you can truly immerse yourself in. But you wouldn’t be alone in this hypothetical vast plain. There would be like-minded players from all over the world to interact with. The technology may not be at a point where this is a possibility just yet. But it will come sooner than most believe.