There is no denying that we live in a golden age of gaming and that it has influenced modern culture in many ways that we may not have even thought possible.
There are so many games being made all the time, from huge multiplayer online games to slot games. When you check out the best casino deals, you will see how many casino games there are on the market and how many are being released all the time. A quick look at the Steam marketplace also shows how many games are being developed all the time.
Gaming and its culture are everywhere. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the ways in which gaming has influenced modern culture.
Games in our pockets
Most of us now have games, or the capacity to play games, right there in our pockets or bags. For example, if you want to start playing Minecraft, you don’t need to get it for PC or console, you can download it on your phone, either Apple or Android and start to play.
A lot of the more dedicated gamers out there love to play on consoles and have PC setups, but the fact that we are all carrying devices all the time that are pretty powerful means that we can play a variety of games in a variety of genres.
Almost everyone is a gamer
When you ask people if they are gamers, there is a chance they will say “no” but not really understand the term. A ‘gamer’ doesn’t have to be someone who has all of the equipment and sits in front of a huge, dedicated screen. Think about Wordle, and the huge sensation that this caused. In one survey, 14% of US adults said they play Wordle. Yes, even playing a word game makes you a gamer.
The same applies to those who love to play casino games and enjoy iGaming, as well as sports games, and of course, the many genres of games you can play on console and PC. With so many ways to play, there aren’t that many people who can say honestly that they don’t tend to play games.
The TV and movie industries
We are definitely in an age where gaming culture has worked its way into other forms of entertainment. For example, there are huge movies being released all the time, including those that take influence from games. There have been plenty of films that are fully based on games franchises, such as Pokémon Detective Pikachu and the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. There are more in the works, too, including a Super Mario film.
Gamification in other industries
Did you know that you can have an interactive avatar on your WhatsApp that looks just like it belongs in a game?
Lots of industries have taken influence from games and the way that we play games, even the learning industry has gained a focus on “gamification,” which is when they make apps and other platforms that feel more like a game than a lesson. This can help people to engage far more easily.
A lot of tasks can be “gamified” if you so wish, and this can be a smart way to get more done or make chores more enjoyable.
Changing the way we communicate
Many types of gaming also have their own communication virtually inbuilt. For example, if you were to look at the way that people play PlayStation and Xbox, many people like to log in and communicate via their headsets. This impacts the way that we socialize and even makes it easier for some people to make friends.
It is also possible to communicate all over the world, this is partially driven by the fact that games are played in virtually every country.
The way we absorb information and engage with the world may also be influenced. Some studies, including this Nesta study, have found that gamers may even be better at absorbing culture and may even be better educated. Some of the stereotypes about gaming are definitely being debunked as we learn more about it.
Summary
While humans have played some form of games for as long as we know, and the Assyrians were playing games over 5000 years ago, we only now have the technology to connect the whole world via games. While some people carry negative stereotypes, gaming is something that most people enjoy in some form, and its influence on the culture we all know and share is undeniable.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
