Evolution is integral to the human experience. It isn’t just that we evolve biologically, but socially as well. The pop culture of today is significantly different from what one could see a century ago. But that is to be expected when technology grows at an exponential rate. We live in what can only be described as the digital age. The tech backing up this era is changing the entertainment sector.
We wouldn’t be surprised if entertainment looks completely different in a couple of decades; given how fast technology is improving. Digital platforms are now most people’s go to entertainment source. But many are wondering how these websites and apps are going to change the sector in the coming years. That is what we would like to discuss in this article.
On the Topic of Gaming
Video games are bound to the world of tech; especially digital technology. Without advancements in tech we likely could not see improved games. It is why the market is thriving at an unprecedented rate. Video games are now a lot more popular than ever before. The evidence for that lies in Hollywood’s fascination with many of these newly-emerging video game titles. The success of The Last of Us television show is a clear example of the game industry’s success.
What is even more impressive is the ripples that the gaming industry is sending through other markets. Online casinos owe a lot to video games for example. But they’ve become so successful that they can now stand on their own merits. Platforms from Casino Days in Alberta to internationally recognized sportsbooks are now more successful than ever. But there is no denying that their surge in popularity is owed largely to the progress we’ve made in digital technology.
It is because digital tech makes online casinos safer and a lot more reliable. New encryption updates mean that player data is going to be a lot more secure than ever before. Internet providers with improve their service; making the games streamlined and eliminating a lot of the lag. All of this goes to show just how important digital technology is when it comes to the modern era of entertainment.
Music Streaming
Music affects all of our lives. Music streaming platforms are doing excellent work. They help new generations discover classic artists that paved the way. Streaming sites also elevate new singers and songwriters who might not have gotten big otherwise. The power of music is such that it can completely change our view on a situation. That is why it is so important that it be available to everyone evenly.
Hip hop has benefitted greatly from streaming. Independent artists can release their own versions of rap on various streaming sites. The emergence of SoundCloud rap and hip hop could easily be compared to the burgeoning black metal and underground punk movements of the past century. These artists bring a new attitude to an industry that they see as having sold out. But hip hop is not the only genre that is making waves on streaming websites.
Indie pop and folk music has just as many if not more passionate fans. The genre predominantly features female artists who have managed to recontextualize the negative associations we have of witchcraft and black magic as a positive and empowering symbol of femininity. Artists like Kiki Rockwell do a fantastic job of blending European folk music with modern pop and rock to create truly bewitching and atmospheric sounds.
Online Streaming
We can’t talk about the new waves in entertainment without bringing up streaming and online content. YouTube emerged as one of the first video-sharing platforms online; and today it still remains the most popular for a reason. But while many were struggling to keep up with YouTube in the past; the website has a couple of competitors today. Twitch and Tik Tok are the two most prominent platforms that serve as direct competition for the original video sharing website.
People are drawn to online video content sharing for several reasons. The first and most obvious one is that online content is free. Anyone can tune in to a YouTuber’s output or a Twitch streamer’s daily content. It costs nothing to watch hours of video footage of people discussing any topic you can imagine; from horror films to internet history. But the other reason that online videos are so successful is that there is a perceived personal relationship between the creator and the audience.
YouTubers have often been thought of as lesser celebrities. Their fame could not be compared to that of the biggest Hollywood stars. That is until many online content creators broke through in the mainstream. Donald Glover and Justin Bieber both began as YouTubers. PewDiePie overshadowed plenty of “proper celebrities” during the height of his career. With Kai Cenat now planning a film with Kevin Hart we can say for certain that the boundaries between celebrity have come crashing down.
The Future of Online Entertainment
What will the entertainment sector look like in ten years? It is difficult to predict how the market is going to evolve. New tech and visionary ideas are always going to take us by surprise. But there are certain trends that can help us make informed deductions. The obsession with virtual reality is a pretty clear indication that some game developers might be moving in that direction. But VR is not just a useful tool for video games. Museums and tour guides could use the technology in various ways to attract customers.
Blockchains are the breakout tech when it comes to the digital side of things. Many are discussing a future where the world wide web runs entirely on a blockchain. Though many tech moguls have called out this imagined “Web3” model as nothing more than a pipe dream; there are still plenty of people who are fascinated by the concept. It may not be feasible now. But who knows where the digital tech revolution will take us in a decade or two.