Combining Entertainment with Technology: New Trends and Opportunities
The evolution of technology continues to reshape the entertainment industry, introducing innovative solutions and enhancing existing formats. At key moments, technological breakthroughs have disrupted the status quo and set entirely new trends. Two decades ago, the rise of YouTube became a global magnet for creators and audiences alike. Just as impactful was the emergence of streaming platforms like Netflix, which revolutionized content accessibility and created powerful channels for promoting local stories on a global stage. Today, new technologies are once again transforming the entertainment landscape — discover which ones are leading the change.
Live Streaming Technologies
Live streaming gives the unique opportunity to witness even the most distant events in real time. Of course, it is not the only feature that has made it a global trend in the entertainment industry. The immersive effect is achieved through many effective technological solutions, such as:
- Multi-angle views that go beyond human capabilities when observing any events.
- Instant replays that allow viewers to watch their favorite moments multiple times.
- Live chats and polls that add interactivity to viewing, stimulating discussion of ongoing events.
In-Game Currencies
The development of cryptocurrencies has stimulated game developers to integrate in-game currencies. With their help, players can upgrade their heroes, gain access to unique features, etc. Such in-game currencies spur the development of strategic thinking and useful skills. Players can purchase and earn them during the game. Some types of in-game currencies cannot be bought at all, only won or earned. A striking example of such games is slots with sweeps coins. Players can get the coins using their skills, and then exchange them for real prizes.
Interactive Content
Watching TV movies makes the viewers passive observers. They cannot influence the plot twists in any way. The viewers can only regret that the scriptwriter chose some particular course of events. Interactive content technologies radically change this situation, as the viewer becomes a co-author of the film or game. They can choose the further direction of the plot, the actions of the main characters, etc. This leads to many positive consequences:
- Development of the creative imagination of viewers;
- Deepening engagement with the entertaining product;
- Creation of personalized content;
- Increasing viewer satisfaction, etc.
AR/VR Technologies
Other technologies capable of creating hyper-realistic experiences for viewers are Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. AR mixes elements of the digital and physical worlds, creating a new, unique synthesis for users' exploration. VR has great potential to engage them emotionally and physically. This technology can also be used in other industries:
- Education for mastering new skills;
- Professional training for fostering automatism in performing some important tasks;
- Sports industry for the recovery of athletes after injuries, etc.
The Bottom Line
These advanced technologies make the entertainment industry even more captivating, engaging viewers and generating revenue. This obvious advantage stimulates many companies operating in this niche to integrate them as soon as possible. The mechanism of amplification of the entertainment and IT industries is set in motion. Companies invest more resources in the development of personalized software to gain additional competitive advantages. The IT industry receives additional investments and develops at an even more rapid pace. As a result, we witness a mutual strengthening of the tech and entertainment industries, bringing tangible benefits to each of them.