The online space has opened up entirely new worlds when it comes to shopping, working, socialising, and more. Perhaps the most notable thing that the internet has changed is our relationship with online entertainment. Here, take a look at the ever-changing world of online entertainment, whether this is with viral trends, gaming, or streaming.
The beginnings of online entertainment
While we might imagine that online entertainment is fairly new, the first multiplayer game to appear online was Multi-User Dungeons all the way back in 1978. While it was nothing like the games of today, it was one of the seeds of online entertainment. Later, in 2003 MySpace became a social media platform where musicians could share their work with a new audience, and the first YouTube video was uploaded in 2005! The early 2000s really was when people began to bring the internet into their homes properly, and this was reflected in rising online entertainment options.
Online gaming as entertainment
As an offshoot from social media, certain platforms have lent themselves well to those who love gaming. Widely known brands such as PlayStation and Nintendo often have online content available for gamers to access so that they can connect with others rather than playing in isolation. Online Dungeons & Dragons games have taken over from the traditional, in-person game model. Meanwhile, social sites such as YouTube let gamers stream their play-throughs, and Twitch has become the home of both professional streamers and more casual gamers.
The online space is also utilised by big brands to create excitement and anticipation for new releases, some of which can take many years to actually become available. For example, beloved game The Last Guardian took ten years to be release-ready and is legendary for the teaser trailers shared from 2009 until its release in 2016 – when it quickly outsold its predecessor, Shadow of the Colossus. Even updates on the latest slot game releases informs many players about new and upcoming games, and where they can go to play Reactoonz, Starburst and more, which are popular titles from developers like Play ‘N Go and NetEnt. As new slot games are released by the biggest game developers, more adults are taking their gaming entertainment online.
Social media as entertainment
MySpace was one of the earliest social media options that gained true traction while also having an entertainment element available. Going forward, YouTube allowed for musicians, artists, comedians and even actors to post videos to a wider audience and gain recognition. It also allowed easy access for audiences without creating an account.
As for the present day, platforms such as Instagram and Twitter are well used by artists and writers, as well as photographers and more. In 2020, the already popular platform TikTok began to take over, where creators specialising in everything from music to healthcare can make short videos and build an audience. Social media has also been the home of viral trends, where everyone can get involved and create connections.
Worldwide streaming domination
It may be a surprise to learn that Netflix started life in 1999 as a subscription-based service – where customers could rent DVDs online which would then be mailed to them. In 2007, Netflix began to offer streaming content and its rapid rise meant that by 2013, it was able to release original programming.
Now, popular streaming services have become the norm, with several different platforms and nearly 500 billion hours being spent watching streamed content in 2020. Similarly, music streaming services like Spotify have changed the music market for good, with over 400 million users worldwide, meaning that many music lovers are trading in more traditional CDs and even owning MP3 versions of their favourite songs for the convenience of streaming!