The rise of video games and video game culture has been nothing short of monumental in the world of pop culture. Moving beyond the 1980s arcade fad, video games have infiltrated every facet of popular culture. From music to movies to drama to literature, video games have impacted how art is created, how it’s consumed, and how it’s shared. In recent years, the gaming industry has consistently beaten Hollywood in terms of revenue and shows no signs of slowing down. So what is it about gaming that has made it so popular? And what role has it played in almost every aspect of culture?
Why Has Gaming Become So Popular?
Games have become a significant part of society. They are no longer just for kids, but for adults too, with titles specifically aimed at people of all ages, from kids on their smartphones to adults playing on a souped-up gaming PC. The gaming industry has become so popular because of its ability to provide players with an escape from reality and a sense of achievement. Games allow people to experience something new while still feeling safe and secure in their own world; this is why they are so popular among teens and adults alike. Gaming has become so popular in recent years because it is an escape from reality. It is a way for people to get away from the stress of everyday life and be able to relax and enjoy themselves. The gaming industry has also been proliferating, which has allowed games to become more realistic and interactive. This will give gamers a more immersive experience playing games, cementing its position as an innovative and disruptive industry.
This has led to the rise of the gaming industry and its impact on other sectors, notably gambling. As more and more people become aware of the fun gaming can provide, many have wondered if they can make money from it. This has led to an enormous uptick in high-quality games where winning cash prizes from games is the norm. These games range from traditional casino options like poker and roulette to more esoteric ones that resemble conventional computer games. Nevertheless, video games have had an even more significant impact on society than most people realize. So let’s look at the industry’s effect on modern society.
Film
It used to be a trope that as soon as a movie was released, a terrible game would follow shortly after. They used to be treated as a tool to promote the film, with the quality being an afterthought. However, nowadays, the tables have turned somewhat. When you look at the big screen and see what kinds of movies have emerged in the last decade, you can see a pattern emerging. Some recent films based on video games include:
- The Angry Birds Movie (so popular they made two. It’s also interesting to note this is based on a smartphone game)
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Pokemon Detective Pikachu
- Mortal Kombat (they’ve been making these films for decades with varying success. However, the latest version includes renowned Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada showing how mainstream these films have become)
- Tomb Raider
- Uncharted (featuring Tom Holland, fresh from his blockbuster Spiderman films, and Hollywood action man go-to Mark Wahlberg)
- Resident Evil
- Warcraft (based on the hugely popular World of Warcraft MMO games)
- Assassins Creed (featuring critically acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender)
The list goes on, but as you can see, video games have moved away from childish entertainment and into the realm of blockbuster movies. While many of these movies received varying reviews (mostly erring on the negative side), it is still interesting to see how Hollywood has picked them up as potential future tent poles.
The Arts
It is fair to say that games can now be considered a form of art. As you saw in the previous point, film studios have also seen this rise and tried with varying success to capitalize on it. While their success may be variable, most people under the age of 40 would consider some games to be works of art. Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is the one game that comes to mind and has always managed to capture the zeitgeist, is Grand Theft Auto (GTA). Through its various incarnations, GTA has always managed to capture the widespread sentiment at the time (even if these sentiments have been exaggerated for the sake of making an exciting game). While technology has expanded the canvas on which artists can paint and tell their stories, it has not changed how artists tell their stories. Video games are truly a collision of art and science as an art form only existing in the digital realm. This has enabled creators to run wild with their imaginations and create games that allow players to participate in everything ranging from space battles to simply growing vegetables on a digital farm!
The Metaverse
The metaverse has yet to arrive in any practical guise, but it promises to revolutionize how you interact with the world, with gaming playing a prominent role. WIth behemoths like Facebook (now called Meta to give you an indication of their intent), Google, and even Apple putting their weight behind the idea, it is only a matter of time before things move into this new realm. However, one thing is sure; it will be gaming that leads the charge. While things like virtual real estate or education are all viable and interesting reasons to engage with the metaverse, only gaming will provide the thrust that gets the public genuinely excited.
More Companies See The Value Of Games
More and more businesses are beginning to see the importance of games as part of their portfolio. You can see this with Microsoft’s initial purchase of Minecraft and then monster Activision Blizzard acquisition which they aim to integrate heavily into their ecosystem. Moreover, movie and TV show streaming giant Netflix has also invested a significant amount into creating original games based on their IP. Finally, Apple has also worked diligently over the past several years to develop a service that consolidates its services into a monthly subscription, with Apple Arcade being a fundamental component of that effort.
It’s no accident that video games are taking over the world. Video games are a way to escape from the daily grind, a way to indulge in your passions, and a way to express yourself. Video games are the new pop culture and art forms and will only grow in popularity in the next few decades.
