How Gaming Culture Is Influencing Movies, TV Shows, and Digital Entertainment

In business, numbers and statistics do not often lie. So, allow us to hit you with a couple. This year, the global cinema and television market has been forecasted to record revenue numbers of around $119 billion. If we switch our focus to the gaming industry on a worldwide scale, this figure increases significantly to over $200 billion. Gaming is growing. For such a long time, television series and movies overshadowed gaming of all types. However, that narrative is changing due to the progressive strides witnessed in technology and software development.

Gaming Setting the Visual Standard

When gaming culture first emerged in the form of arcade games such as Pacman and Space Invaders, the focus was on fostering a communal aspect from friends venturing down to the local arcade together to try and outscore each other on the latest title. However, as technology evolved and after a few primitive console releases such as the Magnavox Odyssey and the Atari 2600 to launch the gaming console era, the 1990’s witnessed the true arrival of video game consoles.

In the 90’s, gamers were delighted with the level of graphics produced on PlayStation One games such as Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot. However, the graphics of that era are now considered old school, such has been the progression in animation and computer programming since the 90’s. Nowadays, the modern-day game on any of the multiple consoles available is able to offer a visual experience that is getting closer to replicating real life.

Through the integration of 4K textures and more powerful graphics processing units (GPU) aided by advanced hardware, video game graphics are bridging the gap to real-life scenes captured on television and movie sets. And because of the realism of modern-day video games, television series and movie producers are maintaining a keener interest in video games to see what they can incorporate into their line of work.

First-person video game experiences seen on Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto have always produced a unique perspective. But with the benefit of the added realism, the television and cinema industry has utilised the same camera angle and visual impact with greater regularity. By incorporating this angle along with over the shoulder shots in their filming, production companies are bringing a new first-hand perspective to those on the sofa.

Digital Gaming Driving Mobile Culture

While gaming has had a profound impact on the visual front, there is a greater shift occurring in society that is being pushed by gaming companies. In another exploitation of the technology available, the gaming industry has identified the potential in the digital realm to produce versions of their games suitable for play on devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

Games such as Candy Crush first raised awareness of mobile gaming, and other new, innovative formats have built on that success. Nowadays, it is possible to play familiar board games that have been revamped digitally. The iGaming industry has also emerged as an online entertainment option in recent years, and online casino gaming for real money has grown globally. With enhanced app capabilities, even video games such as Football Manager are placing more emphasis on the mobile experience.

More Exchange in the Digital Realm

The one common trait shared between the gaming and the television and movie industries is the value of the visual experience for the user. Even in the movie industry, the development of CGI has created new visuals as demonstrated aptly in the Avengers collection. For gaming, this visual evolution has taken slightly longer, but right now, the industry is arriving at the stage where it is becoming harder to differentiate between the two. The exchange of ideas is something that will most likely occur more often in the shared digital realm as digital entertainment continues to set itself for the future.

Author Profile

Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 7 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com