We live in an age of rapid technological advancements. Our world has undergone a transformative evolution that has broken traditional barriers and boundaries by redefining how we consume content. At the heart of all this is the proliferation of the internet.
Today, new entertainment channels can transport us into immersive realms and enable us to explore uncharted territories all from the comfort of our homes! Whether it’s connecting people in ways previously unimaginable or unlocking a treasure trove of captivating experiences—Digital entertainment has become an integral part of modern civilization.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the most popular forms of online entertainment that have emerged to replace traditional channels such as television or movie theaters.
Podcasts & Audiobooks
As we lost touch with the habit of reading physical books, there was a lot of criticism for modern-day technologies, from television to social media. In fact, people never shied away from blaming tech of every kind for reducing attention spans and making people lose good habits.
Now, there are a couple of technologies becoming increasingly popular that are counteracting that.
Podcasts are voice-based episodes that people can listen to when they work, go to the gym, are on the go, or during a lazy afternoon doing chores. There are podcasts for everything—From scientific discussions to political ones, and they are only going to grow further with new companies launching their podcast platforms.
On the other hand, audiobooks are vocally narrated books that don’t need people to hold a book in their hand or even an ebook-reading device! They have taken the world by storm and have already brought back many to the good habit of “experiencing” books.
Online Gambling
Online gambling has been around for a while now, but recently, we’re seeing even big names getting into sports betting, online casinos, and poker rooms.
From Michael Jordan wagering heavily on Olympics games to movie superstars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Toby Maguire, well-known to be active casino and gambling lovers, the world sees wagering money differently today.
It’s actually very easy to get started. Most gambling platforms today offer a wide variety of payment methods. It’s also very easy to find platforms serving a huge range of games, from poker and exciting live dealer casino games, where you play just like in a physical casino with a live dealer!
AR & VR Experiences
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are the next big things. All companies, from Apple to Meta, are diving headfirst into it. Both these technologies can be used to create immersive applications for work or entertainment, such as meetings and games.
Experiencing interactive and immersive entertainment through VR gaming, for example, can bridge the gap between the real and digital worlds.
Dabbling in quality AR & VR content indeed requires a respectable investment into equipment such as VR headsets and AR glasses, but that’s not going to be a problem in the future as more and more companies join the fray, thus reducing the costs.
The latest company to bet big on this new trend is Apple which recently announced its Vision Pro—Apple’s “spatial computer.” Meta’s Quest 2 is one of the most affordable and reliable VR headsets starting from $300.
Google has also invested heavily into its ARCore SDK—A toolkit for developers to build augmented reality experiences for Android, iOS, Unity Engine, as well as web applications.
Online Shows
The internet has been growing at a rapid pace, but what accelerated the shift of shows to the online medium was the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, you will find a bunch of online shows, such as game live streams, music concerts and festivals, movie screenings, comedy shows, improv performances, commentary and reactions, and so on, that happen exclusively online with no physical venue.
Online shows have become a staple of content consumption today, and they have redefined the way we think of entertainment.
Fans can enjoy live performances from their favorite artists, unwind watching their favorite Twitch streamer, or switch it up with live stand-up and sketches all at their own convenience without buying tickets or driving for hours.
Even music release announcements happen 100% digitally today, like how Nas announced Magic 2 recently.
Online Escape Rooms
Another major form of online entertainment that’s growing rapidly is the concept of an online escape room. They are just like traditional escape rooms with the same goals and progression. Everything is just happening digitally!
Virtual escape rooms have players solve puzzles and challenges in a race against time. The online nature of these rooms adds a layer of convenience as you can join a room whenever you want from anywhere in the world.
They have also become important as a popular social and team-building activity—Even in the most remote settings.
Today, you can find escape rooms online in diverse themes and scenarios that cater to people with different interests and preferences. The collaborative and immersive aspects of such rooms bring a new twist to the traditional concept of adventure. Some even like to participate in virtual escape rooms because they bring friends and family closer.
Wrapping Up
We’re living in a brave new world of online entertainment driven by technology and the internet. All of these technologies have unlocked captivating experiences that our ancestors couldn’t even dream of. Digital horizons truly know no bounds.
So, what are your favorite online entertainment technologies, and how do you use them?