Technology has changed the world, and how we entertain ourselves has also significantly changed because of these tech advancements. Now, you can go to YouTube and watch videos you like, or go to sites like Hit n Spin and test your luck.
There are many new ways to get entertained, but all of these lean toward one thing: digital streaming. Even games today are streamed live, which makes it possible to play with other people in the world in real-time.
Movie and Content Streaming
The world has seen an influx of streaming services. The most popular is Netflix, and it is also one of the pioneers of movie streaming services.
The other big companies followed Netflix’s footsteps. Here are some of the biggest:
- HBO Max;
- Amazon Prime;
- Hulu;
- Disney Plus.
The downside of this is that all of them create exclusive content. For example, HBO Max has the rights to Game of Thrones, while Disney has Star Wars. Because of this, users are forced to subscribe to many streaming services.
It is not only movies that people stream, as there is a huge demand for game streamers today. The most dominant platform in this sector is Twitch.
Twitch is the place to be if the viewer is looking for gaming content, particularly on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation platforms. It has become so big that there are 1.5 million active live viewers on the platform per day. On average, there are 45,000 channels actively streaming content live on the platform at any given moment.
Interactive Entertainment
We have seen a rise in VR games and devices recently. This is what we call interactive entertainment.
The user’s whole body is involved in the process. While most VR devices currently concentrate on games, this platform can exploit live streaming too.
Here are some examples:
- A content creator driving and showing the road.
- One who shows an adventure that is happening in real-time.
- Interactive storytelling for kids.
There are many ways by which virtual reality can grow. The main problem today is that these devices are too expensive. Since only a few people have access to it, there is also not much content going on. The creators do not find any incentive to do so.
By the time the technology becomes accessible to the masses, the VR platform will become just like the Android or iOS platforms. Thousands of solo and corporate creators will create content for it. It is also likely that most of them will earn money from ads.
iGaming and Casinos
Many countries are now shifting their stance toward online casinos. This is why there has been a massive increase in the number of casino sites. On some sites, you can bet real cash and also win some.
The games you can play are:
- Blackjack.
- Roulette and its variants.
- Poker (against a dealer).
- Slot machines.
- Keno, bingo, lottery, scratchcards, etc.
It is not only casino games you can play. There are betting sites for sports that are also easily and globally accessible. If there is a game between the Spurs and Lakers, you can make a bet in so many ways, also known as markets.
What makes eSports and casino betting is that they also use live streaming. If you use a betting app, you can watch the game from it. In addition, you also have an option to make bets while the game is going on. There is no longer a limitation to betting only at the beginning of the game.
AI Entertainment
Finally, there is AI entertainment. These are machines that interact with the user. Here are some examples:
- Games where each decision made leads to another possible outcome.
- An AI friend, girlfriend, or boyfriend.
- AI programs that curate content for entertainment.
Of all the new technologies out there, AI is the most promising. It has practically no limit, and it will continue to grow. Right now, there are even content creators who have already cloned themselves to provide entertainment.
In these videos, they write a script and then let the AI do the “talking head” and the voiceover. The creators no longer need to film themselves. The machines help them save a lot of time and effort (no need to set up cameras, lighting, etc.). This is just the beginning. As AI grows and learns, it can certainly be used to make movies, music, and other forms of entertainment.
Streaming, be it recorded or live, will continue to be the new standard for entertainment. In the future, we should not be surprised to see a shift of this digital service to VR or AR. As of now, most VR devices are too expensive. Once this technology becomes affordable, mobile phones may become just another entertainment device—it is not farfetched to think most homes in the future will have VR sets for the family.