We often think of the current era as the easiest time to be alive in all of human history. There is a lot of truth to the claim. Modern technology has been a great convenience, improving our daily life, and raising our standard of living.
We often think of the current era as the easiest time to be alive in all of human history. There is a lot of truth to the claim. Modern technology has been a great convenience, improving our daily life, and raising our standard of living. Medical technology is better than ever, the financial industry operates on an unprecedented scale, and food production all but ensures abundance. However, the system we built does not leave a lot of time for simple relaxation.
Without rest, work becomes tedious. That is why it is important to take a break once in a while. The great thing is that modern tech can even allow us to do that. Digital leisure is a big part of entertainment in the 21st century. It is why Canadians have been embracing online entertainment for the past few years. Streaming, gaming, and free online content are now a big part of the Canadian entertainment market, so let’s take a look at how digital leisure is changing the times in Canada.
Streaming
Netflix’ success truly did have an incredible impact on entertainment. The company may have started as a video delivery platform, but they soon adapted to the new age, and became pioneers in their own right. Without Netflix, who knows if the streaming market would be anything like it is today. Of course, the service now has a lot of competitors. In fact, it almost seems like most entertainment companies have their own version of a streaming platform, with Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV being the most popular.
Though most people think of film or television streaming, that is not all that there is to the market. Believe it or not, it is also possible to stream gambling. The iGaming industry is one of the fastest growing entertainment sectors in the world, and in part, live casino games online have greatly contribute to the industry’s popularity. By using streaming services, online casinos have managed to blend the interactive elements of land-based casinos, with the convenience of internet gambling platforms, to create something wholly new.
Interactive Games
Speaking of interactive gaming, we would be remiss if we did not bring up the new trend in online entertainment. Interactive games may not be most people’s go-to when they are looking to have fun. But, they are beginning to pick up some steam. Some are predicting that these sorts of games might even become a staple of online entertainment in the future. Though, with the gaming industry being more popular than ever, it is unlikely that interactive games will replace RPGs, action/adventure titles, or first-person shooters.
That being said, there is a chance here of creating a whole new genre, and it all starts with streaming sites. For the unaware, interactive games are story-based games in which players get to make decisions during the story. The player’s decisions will alter the course of events, which will result in different endings. It is a relatively experimental approach to gaming, combining aspects of different mediums to create something new. The fans seem to love it, but some doubt if there is an opportunity for broader appeal.
Online Gaming
The discussion of interactive gaming brings us to the next point; online gaming. As we said before, the gaming industry is now bigger than it has ever been. Games are selling at an incredible rate, and the online community surrounding them consists of millions of people. The medium is also inspiring creatives outside of games, as we can clearly see with the release of successful films based on popular titles. Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario Bros, and most recently, Minecraft have all amassed a huge audience. Unsurprisingly, online gaming has seen a huge surge in popularity.
For most, online gaming is synonymous with competition. Gamers from all over the world doing their best to outperform each other, and get the high score. However, a lot of online gaming engenders co-operation as well. MOBA is one of the most popular genres right now. In DOTA 2 and League of Legends players must work together to overcome obstacles. The rivalries that most reviewers focus on certainly help. But, we can’t help but think that it might be the sense of camaraderie that truly makes multiplayer games a success.
Free Online Content
Finally, we would be remiss if we did not bring up the seemingly endless free content than people of all backgrounds can find and enjoy online. When discussing free content on the internet, one must bring up YouTube, a video-sharing platform where one can find videos on any topic imaginable. While the YouTube Premium option does require fans to pay for some extra perks, the vanilla version of the site is just as reliable, and has mostly the same content as you would find on the pay-walled option.
The gaming sector of YouTube is thriving, of course. But, that isn’t all that the site is about. Here you can find content relating to film, underground cultures, music genres, and even DIY videos that can help you in your home makeover or any hobby that might involve using your hands. Cooking videos are especially popular, in part because many people are rediscovering the joy of homemade meals.
Though YouTube was the first video-sharing platform on the internet, it is far from the only one. Twitch and Tik Tok are two incredibly successful platforms. Twitch is geared towards long-form content, as it is a streaming service where independent creators can discuss their thoughts with a global audience. Though it began as a website geared towards gamers, it has evolved far past that niche.
Tik Tok on the other hand specializes in short-form content, giving fans the option to watch several videos at once, and spend a few minutes, or even a couple of hours having fun. What is also worth bringing up is that all three of the video-sharing platforms we’ve discussed have launched the careers of many Canadians, who’ve gone on to become internet legends, or even celebrities proper in their own right.
