The world of entertainment and the internet are intrinsically linked now. Many of us rely on an internet connection to access our hobbies and entertainment fixes whether that means playing a game on the train to work or watching the latest series on Netflix.
In this guide, we’re going to delve into some of the biggest predictions for 2024 in entertainment. What will we say growing this year? Will there be new phenomena that seem to spring from nowhere and take the world by storm?
The entertainment industry is big business, and there are many billion-dollar companies striving to create new and interesting technologies, shows and media that keep people enthusiastic and excited.
The year of social casinos
Social casinos, which are also known as sweepstakes casinos, are played in more than 40 states of the US. Social casinos use tokens such as sweepstake coins to play their games, which players can then redeem for prizes or use to play more games.
These casinos tend to have a thriving social side to them and are available to play in most of the states of the US. The industry has been growing considerably in recent years, but it is expected to hit a new level in 2024 with many new games and ways to play being launched. Some big brands in the gambling world have also created sweepstake casinos.
The social aspect of casino gaming has always been something many people like to explore and these sites support this.
Even more streaming services
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the revolution of streaming video and “over-the-top” streaming services has already peaked, but it is likely that we will continue to see more. We have seen services such as Paramount Plus launching, which has shows made by the company and is often included with other subscriptions, providing a way for Paramount to monetize their content and to provide even more options for people to watch their shows. This allows them to make additional money through advertising.
There are predictions that video on demand (streaming) will hit revenues of up to $146bn per year by 2028.
While we already have services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, there are some other services that are in the works, or in the process of launching. One quietly growing site is Crunchyroll, which is dedicated to the niche of anime videos, and it has now reached around five million subscribers. That means a whole lot of revenue.
Netflix gaming to take off
Recently, a lot of people noticed that they suddenly had some new options on Netflix. In addition to streaming movies, and a lot of hit TV shows from around the world, they also had the option to play new and interesting games as well as some old classics. Netflix obtained the rights to certain games people remember from decades ago.
These technological advances have recently reached the stage where gaming can be played via the cloud. Effectively, games are now “streamed” in the same way that TV and movies have been streamed in the past. People don’t need to spend a lot of time downloading or installing games, they can simply launch their Netflix app.
It remains to be seen whether Netflix’s expansion into gaming will be successful, but there are a lot of cloud gaming platforms launching or already in existence that provide players with the chance to play via a subscription model rather than needing to buy individual games.
Korean wave or Hallyu
Hallyu is the name that has been given to the impact of South Korean culture that has become absolutely massive in certain parts of the world. In recent years, the West has caught on and started to embrace aspects of this culture. You only need to see how popular certain trends like mukbang have become, and the fact that K-Pop has even hit the charts in the UK and the US. Many K-Pop bands are now touring the US and Europe, and this is a clear sign that Hallyu is taking over.
South Korean culture has a lot to offer, and there are also many movies and television shows that are huge. Who could forget the influence of Squid Game? Squid Game: The Challenge has also begun trending, where people recreate aspects of the show in real life.
New game consoles launching
Another online gaming trend is the fact that new consoles will be launching, and this provides even more options for online play. The Nintendo Switch update that is coming this year is one such update, but there could also be a new PS5 Pro.
These are likely to be hotly debated, but they facilitate online play in many new ways for players, while pushing the boundaries of games by improving the frame rates and fidelity.
There are also new AI consoles and updates to the existing headsets launching, which could prove to be another push towards AI becoming more mainstream as people wait for it to finally hit the heights promised.
AI continuing to change entertainment
The AI developments in recent years have been stunning, but we’re only really starting to see the changes to entertainment industries online.
From gaming to videos and other forms of entertainment, AI is likely to be used in many aspects of the creation of media, making it easier for independent coders and publishers to create something that can reach the masses.
In addition, AI will help big companies to analyze huge amounts of data, and this may change the way that entertainment is made and promoted. Some people have dark predictions for how AI will change things, but used responsibly, this can be a tool for creators and change our access to online entertainment. It is already changing marketing and the world of business, and AI now promises to make games and other forms of media even more accessible.
A glut of new projects after strikes
The Hollywood writer and actor strikes are now over, and this means that many people have returned to work on movies and other areas of the entertainment industry. This means that all systems are go, and we are likely to see huge numbers of new shows and projects being released or cropping up in cinemas, and of course, online.
More direct support for creators
The creator economy is alive and well, and this means that there are a lot of different ways to support people, including Patreon. The cutting out of the middleman in the entertainment industry is not new, but it is growing and will continue to be a trend in 2024. We could see even more ways to support creators directly and connect with influencers, paying them a fair amount in return for creating stuff we love.
Conclusion
Things move quickly in entertainment and 2024 will be no different. It is likely we will see some other craze similar to Squid Game or Flappy Birds or even Wordle. The online world means that word travels quickly and the capability for a new concept to go viral is always just around the corner.
