Although entertainment platforms have been around for a long time, the fact is that the internet has raised their quality. Also, with the help of the internet, new forms of entertainment and, consequently, new platforms have appeared.
So, modern people can enjoy audio and video streaming services, social media, gaming platforms, online casinos, etc. Of course, the ability to use such options online does not mean that the influence of technology in this regard has stopped. On the contrary, there are technological trends that have a significant impact on entertainment platforms. In this article, we will look at some of the most exciting trends in the industry.
1. Growing Interaction In Online Casinos
In the past, users were forced to consume entertainment online passively. Today’s online casinos are looking for a variety of ways to increase the level of engagement and bring a realistic experience to their users.
For example, online casinos like Bovada offer live dealer casino game sections. Here, you will find titles where you are not just passive observers, but rather active participants in games, such as blackjack, roulette, and poker, where you can communicate with other players and the dealer/host in real-time. This breathes a new life to the old 1-1 gameplay, where the user faces the computer, instead reinvigorating it through immersive elements of socialization and semi-virtual experiences.
Furthermore, there are also games in which you will find interactive stories. These are mostly slot releases where you can influence, at least partially, the story. So, you choose where the free spins you won will take place (the background image of the slot game changes). On the other hand, we also have crash games in online casinos. They slowly started helping players create communities, given their multiplayer character.
While discussing the growing interaction in casino games, we’ll mention streaming services like Twitch, where real-time audiences participate in slots or other casino streams.
2. Blockchain and Decentralized Gaming Ecosystems
Even if you’re not a fan of cryptocurrencies, you’ve probably heard of blockchain technology. Of course, this technology is not exclusively related to cryptocurrency. On the contrary, it is known in expert circles for its secure and transparent data management capabilities.
Lately, this has had a massive impact on the gaming industry. Every month, we see a presentation of newly formed decentralized gaming platforms powered by non-fungible (NFT) tokens and crypto. With their help, players get legal ownership of their assets obtained in the games. This is how whole micro-economies are created, and we still don’t know in which direction they will go.
Decentraland is an excellent example of that. It is the first decentralized metaverse that has attracted public attention with its unique concept. Namely, all users can explore, buy, and build in this virtual world. You can expect a huge virtual space with many options. All these activities are enabled through NFTs.
Some users already own virtual plots but also develop games and organize events. It is all under the supervision and organization of Decentraland DAO. The Sandbox and Axie Infinity are other such examples.
Read Also: Guide to Stay Safe While Online Gaming in 2024
3. AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Until just a decade ago, artificial intelligence was primarily mentioned in science fiction movies and books. But since a few years ago, and especially starting from 2023, we have also seen this technology’s direct and widespread application.
Undoubtedly, AI is slowly but surely making its way into entertainment platforms. Again, the most significant benefit is that AI enables experiences that are more personalized and adapted to the specific needs of users. With that, the things entertainment platforms offer become far more engaging.
When you search for content on the platforms, artificial intelligence helps the engine find precisely what you want using data from previous experiences and searches.
Instead of choosing the difficulty level in a game you play on your favorite gaming platform, let the AI assistant do it for you. This technology may rely on your previous results in similar games or let you play for a period before giving you a final recommendation.
Instead of regular NPCs in video games, you can find AI characters in a particular title based on your choices. An excellent example of using artificial intelligence on entertainment platforms is Netflix, with its search engine. It uses artificial intelligence algorithms that suggest what to watch next based on your viewing history and preferences.
4. VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality)
We cannot talk about the impact of technological trends on entertainment platforms without mentioning virtual and augmented realities. They allow you to experience all the things the platforms offer on a higher, more realistic level.
The digital world overlaps with the physical world to help you experience something new. That’s the whole point of these technologies. So, AR overlays digital elements into the real world. For example, in Pokemon GO, you hunt imaginary creatures hidden in different places in the real world using your mobile device.
If the physical world is not interesting to you even when enhanced with augmented reality, maybe virtual reality will help you. With VR, you go to entirely new environments. For example, with a VR headset, you can visit a sports match and watch it from the front rows.
In addition, you can visit any famous city (be it existent or ancient city), simulate airplane flights, or fight against aliens without leaving your home. There are countless possibilities, and from what we see, the quality of VR and AR technology is constantly increasing.
Apple Vision Pro can serve as an example because it brings elements of both technologies. Initial reviews are pretty positive, especially for the entertainment part. Gamers say they are satisfied with playing games through this device. It goes without saying that we need more time to analyze all its features and many experts point out that this device should serve as a prototype for other so-called mixed-reality headsets.
Conclusion
Entertainment and technology have become inseparable partners. The latest technological trends show us the potential of this partnership. Of course, the trends we analyzed in our article don’t mean they will all gain momentum. Still, we believe that some will leave a lasting mark and serve as a springboard for innovations and, of course – even more fun regardless of the platforms you use.
