Video games transforming old media
How the game industry is breathing life into traditional entertainment
Hello,
Today we’re looking at how Twitch game shows, video game operas, and games written by authors are adding fresh twists to traditional media. Sounds fun right? Let’s jump right into it.
Twitch as a game show platform
Twitch gives people interactive tools so that they can directly affect the content that they’re tuned into. Usually, that content is a video game stream, but there’s no reason they couldn’t be watching a game show. There are a couple of smaller video game themed game shows on the platform, but there is the potential for a much wider appeal.
Take American Idol for example. What if when contestants get to the live stage of the show the audience had to vote while the episode was airing to decide who moves on. Or if a chat feature decided what songs contestants sang. It would give a strong incentive for people to watch the show as it airs.
Live stream platforms’ interactivity could give audiences a way to feel more invested in game shows than ever before. It could get more people to tune into the broadcasts and help build a sense of community around the shows.
Video game orchestras
An orchestra performing an iconic Final Fantasy track.
As I said in an earlier post, video games are starting to permeate in culture more heavily, because many adults spent their childhoods playing them. One unexpected place that this has manifested itself is in concert halls.
More gamers grew up listening to classical music than one would think. A lot of iconic video game tracks were made by orchestras, not programmers. It makes sense. Epic adventures need epic soundtracks. Who better to make that than a team of ultra-talented classical musicians who are used to playing long, ambitious music.
Orchestras are recognizing that gamers have more disposable income which has created a market for live concerts that celebrate games’ musical scores. It’s a great way to connect younger people to an industry that many consider dated.
Authors storytelling through video games
George R. R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, is writing the mythos for Elden Ring, a video game being created by FromSoftware, the company behind some of the best action video games. It combines his knack for world-building with FromSoftware’s top-notch gameplay. On paper, this game should be very, very good, and expose George R. R. Martin’s world-building to a whole new audience.
It speaks to a broader trend where video game companies might work more as production companies in the future where artists and brands come with visions that they want the game company to build for them. It could be a lucrative business opportunity for some entrepreneurial developers.
What to take away:
The qualities that make games so engaging synergize with a number of other media formats. It can be concrete things like actual features games have or more emotional things like the nostalgia a game brings to a group of people. When thinking of your next activation think about the type of game features you could take inspiration from.
Gaming news that caught my eye:
Unreal Engine: Epic Games released the first look at their new game development engine. While the graphics are great; the thing that has me most excited is that they are waiving royalty fees on the first one million dollars in profit for game developers.
Twitter: Video Game Art and Tidbits is an account that features retro video game ads, articles, and reviews. It’s a great place to get a dose of nostalgia and inspiration from.
Nookazon: Animal Crossing fans have created a fully functional e-commerce site where people can buy popular in-game items. Fans of this game continue to impress me.
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