Are Digital Pastimes Here to Stay After 2021?

By  //  May 25, 2021

The global events that occurred at the end of 2019 and are continuing to the present day have greatly affected each facet of everyday life. Family dinners are enjoyed on the Zoom platform, wedding ceremonies are livestreamed and most forms of entertainment have slowly migrated to digital media. But will the digital revolution last?

Pew Research Center recently conducted a study with over 900 innovators, developers, policy leaders, researchers, activists and commercial leaders concerning the potential lasting impact that the events of the last years have had on digital entertainment. According to the study, most of the leaders they interviewed believe that digital entertainment is here to stay and that technological innovation and invention will continue to develop at a breakneck speed.

Many of the respondents were especially interested in the future advancements of technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, or VR and AR, along with artificial intelligence. Although only time will tell what the future holds, it does look as if society will continue to invest in and enjoy digital pastimes and the technology that makes them possible well into the next decade.

Online gambling steps up to the plate

The gambling and casino industry has made one of the smoothest transitions to the digital world. The online gambling industry has been booming for the last decade, but the past few years have showcased just how effortlessly gambling has transitioned to digital. There are now so many different online gambling platforms available that sites such as CasinoTopplisten.com are invaluable to separate the wheat from the chaff and find the best casinos available online.

Many gamblers who were initially resistant to the idea of gambling through an online platform or app found that gambling online was just as entertaining, exciting and engaging as gambling in person. Online gamblers also enjoy the convenience that online gambling brings. Instead of needing to drive to a casino to place bets, throw the dice or play the slots, gamblers can play on online casinos from the comfort of their own home, while commuting or even while out with friends.

Also, online gambling offers players more options, such as playing multiple games at once or using cryptocurrencies to play. These are really convenient options for gamblers, which brick-and-mortar casinos cannot offer their patrons. Even after life returns to ‘normal’, it is likely that many gamblers will still prefer online gambling to other forms of gambling. The experience is more convenient, user-friendly, versatile and less isolating.

New sports take over 

When all sports games had to take a break last year, there was a huge amount of upset and concern. That is when esports stepped into the collective public consciousness. Esports has grown over the last decade and their tournaments attract thousands of attendees, but they were still considered something of a niche interest. When all other sports games were canceled, esports provided a way for sports fans to capture the same sense of excitement and fun throughout the year. Many people who previously never would have considered watching esports suddenly realized just how enjoyable and stimulating the industry is.

The industry has grown exponentially and it appears that it will continue to grow as the fan base increases. There are signs that even after physical sports games and tournaments resume, many fans will still tune in for esports matches and follow teams as they make their way through competitions around the world. As esports expands, you can be sure that teams, players and tournaments will quickly become household names.

The heightened influence of social media

Now, more than ever, social media has been shown to have a major impact on societal perceptions, thoughts and behaviors. Micro-influencers are becoming increasing popular, especially since celebrity culture has begun to decline as celebrities are increasingly perceived as isolated, out of touch and ignorant.

Micro-influencers tend to be ‘normal’ people who have from 1,000 to 30,000 followers and are much more relatable than celebrities with millions of followers. These influencers are paid for posts in which they advertise a range of different products.

Although the follower counts, products and payments are small, they have been shown to be increasingly persuasive, as many followers feel personally connected to more relatable, small-scale influencers. As a result, followers are increasingly more likely to be motivated by micro-influencers, and advertisers are taking note. You can expect to see an increase in these influencers across your social media feed for the next few years.