New trends are constantly shaping and reshaping industries. The entertainment scene is no exception to this rule. The United States media market is one most affected by change. Because of its status as the leader in global entertainment the US market is under a lot of pressure to innovate.
It is no wonder then that a lot of entertainment trends have spawned in Hollywood. That was just as true in the past as it is today. We don’t predict that much will change in the years that follow. But what trends are going to affect the industry in the future?
Digitization is the Name of the Game
The age of digital technology has brought about a consistent move towards digitalization. It is why streaming is now the primary way to consume media. Netflix really did change the game in the late 2000s when they launched their streaming service for the first time. Close to two decades later, and the streaming market is now overwrought with different services that each offer different features.
But it isn’t just the movie industry that has been the subject of digitalization. The gambling market has also greatly benefitted. Online poker rooms are all the rage right now. Fans only need to find quality websites in order to play their favorite card game. Many of the top-tier poker sites come with extra games as outlined in recent research by LegalUSPokerSites.com. The iGaming industry is thriving in this era of digital entertainment.
Video games as a whole are thriving in fact. It makes sense considering a lot of the games today rely on digital technology. The online multiplayer feature has elevated gaming to a whole new level. League of Legends and mobile gaming have taken over the sector, and have reached players that otherwise would not have even been involved with gaming at all. Digital technology has completely re-invented the entertainment market. It is unlikely that digitalization is just a passing fad. We predict an ever-more digital future in entertainment.
Immersive Content with VR
Virtual reality has been fascinating to think about for a long time. Even ancient myths discuss the possibilities of dream worlds in which the dreamer can interact with the illusory objects. That sort of fantasy seems like an obvious precursor to the concept of VR that became so prominent in the 20th century. But nowadays VR is less of a far-off fantasy and much more of a reality. Games for VR consoles have already been released. Some are even receiving positive feedback. The new Deadpool VR game has largely been received with open arms by both fans and critics.
Virtual reality is often associated with gaming. There is a good reason for that. The possibility to interact with fictional characters as if they are right there in front of you is the perfect vehicle for immersion. But the technology could be used for so much more. Museums the world over are already incorporating it in their tours. Virtual tours are growing a lot more popular among those who are incapable or unwilling to travel to a necessary destination. Establishments can use VR to blend education and entertainment which is always a good thing.
Sports could also greatly benefit from virtual reality. Some have proposed the idea of a VR audience. Virtual reality brings the stadium to you. The tech is not at a point where it can achieve many of our wildest dreams sadly. But who knows what could change a decade from now. Many are confident that the success of the Metaverse is going to change a lot about the way we view virtual reality. We could even see VR and AR being implemented in retail or online shopping.
Social Media and Online Content Creation
Studios and streaming services are constantly competing against one another. But the 2020s have elevated a new challenger to their level. Online content creation has been around for a long while; steadily growing in the background. Few of the big brands in entertainment took platforms like YouTube and Twitch seriously. Those that did managed to create superstars out of some pretty well-known YouTubers.
Online content creation may just be the next stage of entertainment’s evolution. YouTube is getting more monthly traffic than ever before. Experts expect to see 2.86 billion global users on the video sharing platform by the end of 2025. It is no wonder that creators on the website have become the new celebrities. But the precedent for YouTubers getting international success and breaking through into the old-school entertainment industry was set a long time ago. Some of the most popular actors and musicians today started their career on YouTube.
Justin Bieber for example was discovered as a YouTube sensation. Many forget that the young singer likely would not have had the opportunity to become a multi-millionaire if he had not shared his music online as a teenager. Donald Glover is known as both a singer and an actor today. But he began as a YouTube comic who would share skits and jokes on his platform. Online content has proven to be a gateway to greener pastures.
