Video Games are the (NEW) Social Media

Introduction: The Social Media Hangover

Let's rewind to the early 2000s, the heyday of social media. It was the new kid on the block, full of promise and potential. It was an exciting time for the internet, with many new social platforms that you probably don’t remember now. But it all felt positive with clear purpose: to connect people and be social. But fast-forward to today, and it's like waking up with a hangover that makes you question everything. It’s become that dirty habit that you know is bad for you, but you can’t quite kick yet. As Business Insider aptly puts it in "Millennials: It's ok to mourn the death of social media" [1], we're witnessing the twilight of an era. Social media, once a beacon of digital innovation, is now crumbling and grappling with a crisis of identity and purpose.

Four Billions Players and Counting

Enter the world of online video games, the unexpected but unequivocal heir to the digital throne. The Guardian hits the bullseye: "Video games are no longer a niche, nerdy pastime. They are the defining entertainment medium of the 21st century" [2]. This isn't just about kids in basements anymore. Games like Fortnite and Minecraft are the new rock stars of the digital world. The Economist's "Ready, player four billion: the rise of video games" [3] isn't just throwing around a catchy title; it's stating a staggering fact. Well not quite four billion gamers... yet. It's just currently 3.09 billion active players worldwide. Let that number sink in. It's almost half the global population, a feat unrivaled by any other entertainment medium in history, in fact a feat unrivaled by pretty much anything in history. – these aren't just games; they're cultural titans, drawing in millions and eclipsing the engagement metrics of traditional social media.

Cultural Phenomena: The New Social Gatherings

We're not just playing games anymore; we're living in a cultural renaissance, powered by pixels and Wi-Fi. Fortnite’s in-game concerts? They're not just virtual gigs; they're the Woodstock of the digital age. When Travis Scott and Ariana Grande took the virtual stage in Fortnite, and Royal Blood rocked out in Roblox, it wasn't just a concert - it was a cultural earthquake, shaking the very foundations of how we experience entertainment. This is beyond what music means to the digital generation. Even The Guardian says  "Video games are replacing music as the most important aspect of youth culture" [4].

And let us not forget Pokémon Go: That’s not just a game; it's a social experiment that turned sidewalks into shared digital adventures, blurring the lines between virtual and actual reality. It’s not just tech; it’s cultural anthropology on steroids.

And now we can’t talk about gaming culture without mentioning Twitch – This platform isn’t just a side show; it’s the main event. Watching someone else play a game on Twitch has become the new hanging out. It's where digital natives congregate, not just to watch but to belong, to be part of a tribe. Streamers? They're not just gamers; they're the new-age rock stars, the pied pipers of the digital era, leading legions of followers not just in gameplay, but in creating a shared narrative.

On Twitch, streamers aren't just gamers; they're entertainers, influencers, and community leaders. They have the power to bring together people from all corners of the globe, creating a social fabric that's woven with the threads of shared experiences and interactions. It's a platform where viewers and streamers forge connections, not just through the games they play, but through the conversations they have, the jokes they share, and the communal moments they create.

This is the era of social gaming, where watching and playing blend seamlessly. Twitch has shown us that games are a social catalyst, a digital campfire around which stories are told, friendships are formed, and communities are built. In this world, the viewer is as much a part of the game as the player, and the experience is richer for it.

Generational Shift: A Broader Appeal

Here's the deal: the video game revolution isn't just a Gen Z or millennial playground. It's bigger, broader, and more badass than that. Video game designer Jane McGonigal (see her TED Talk as well) knows the score – "today’s digital natives crave gameplay in a way previous generations can't fathom.". But here's the kicker: this isn't just about the kids or the tech-savvy youth. Video games have smashed through the generational ceiling, captivating middle-aged desk jockeys and even the silver-haired crowd who once thought Pong was bleeding edge of entertainment.

Let's talk demographics and geography; Video games are the Esperanto of entertainment – a universal language that transcends borders and cultural barriers. They’re doing what Hollywood can only fantasize about. While Tinseltown is busy tailoring blockbusters to specific demographics, gaming is playing 4D chess, creating universes that resonate from Birmingham to Beijing.

These games are more than just pixelated escapades; they're digital campfires where stories are shared, identities explored, and connections forged. In a world where cultural exchange is often filtered through a lens of bias, video games offer a playground for genuine interaction, unshackled by the constraints of geography or language.

So, as we witness this generational shift, it's clear: video games are not just rewriting the rulebook of entertainment; they're crafting a whole new playbook. They've transformed from a fringe hobby into a cultural juggernaut, reshaping not just how we play, but how we connect, learn, and engage across the vast expanse of our digital village. Video games have become the lingua franca of the digital age, and their influence is only set to grow. Welcome to the new world order – it's not just pixelated; it's profoundly transformative.

TLDR: It’s not just the new social media. It’s the third place. The digital colosseum. The shape of all future media to come.

So, what's the big picture? Platforms like Meta’s Horizon Worlds are scrambling to replicate the immersive, interactive experience of successful games. It’s proof that Mark Zuckerberg absolutely knows where the puck is heading. Buuuut here's where they miss the mark: you can't engineer authenticity. Video games have evolved organically into the new colosseum of digital interaction. They offer a blend of entertainment, community, and a sense of belonging that traditional social media can no longer match. They're not just filling a void; they're charting a new course, reshaping the digital landscape for everyone, from Gen Z to boomers.

Welcome to the new era, where video games are the reigning champions and successor to social media, a paradigm shift in digital culture.

Brands and advertisers take note - gaming is the new social media.

References

1. Business Insider: "Millennials: It's ok to mourn the death of social media" - https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-nostalgia-social-media-facebook-twitter-dead-2023-11
2. The Guardian: "Video games are no longer a niche, nerdy pastime. They are the defining entertainment medium of the 21st century" - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/21/video-games-gaming-violence-entertainment
3. The Economist: "Ready, player four billion: the rise of video games" - https://www.economist.com/special-report/2023/03/20/ready-player-four-billion-the-rise-of-video-games
4. The Guardian: "Video games are replacing music as the most important aspect of youth culture" -https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/11/video-games-music-youth-culture