The future of entertainment is about game tech – from Hollywood special effects to cross-platform gaming

The online gaming boom is predicted to continue, PC console games sales have bounced back and ‘there is now less of a stigma to playing games’

Gaming technology is used in Hollywood, music artists will embed releases in games, and even the WHO agrees that games help with social interaction

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The highly lucrative gaming industry will play an increasingly important role in entertainment as time passes. Photo: Riot Games via Getty Images

Published: 9:48am, 23 Feb 2021Updated: 9:48am, 23 Feb 2021

What will the future of entertainment look like?

According to panellists at the Digital Entertainment World conference, which took place online in early February, it’s a case of everything coming together, and the highly lucrative gaming industry will play an increasingly central role.

Gaming technology has, for example, been adapted for use as a film production tool, and the synergy between games and Hollywood movie franchises is set to become a more integrated experience.

Music artists will develop ways of embedding their releases in games and even appear in them, like Lil Nas X in Roblox and Travis Scott in Fortnite.

Travis Scott in Fortnite. Photo: YouTube/Epic Games

The online gaming boom is predicted to continue even when users’ range of entertainment options returns after the coronavirus pandemic – gamers like the social functions that the technology has enabled and have become accustomed to them.