Technology has become part of our everyday lives. One might argue that today’s technology is our real “bestie” because it has become evident that we cannot do without it.
Whether medical advancement, home appliances, or sending money to another country from your fingertips, technology is essential in our society. People say your best friend might fail you, but technology won’t.
Technological evolution did not happen in a day; it took years and decades to get to where it is now, and it’s still evolving. The graphic quality of various technological products, such as television, video games, and audio, has improved and continues to improve.
You cannot deny the significant improvements and impact of technology on entertainment, which has made way for streaming platforms and virtual reality entertainment like Netflix and Oculus to come into existence, respectively. It also influenced the gaming industry and created avenues for content creation platforms like YouTube to emerge, changing the way people engage with media. Because of these magnificent developments, entertainment has become something you can enjoy in various ways. The evolution of entertainment has steadily involved technology, which has led to digital entertainment and various entertainment technology trends; let’s look at the evolution of entertainment below.
Historical Overview Of Entertainment
The evolution of entertainment started in ancient and medieval times. Yes, you read right. It has existed from human creation to the era of Socrates and Aristotle and is still present. Below is a breakdown of it.
Ancient and Medieval Entertainment
Right from human creation, entertainment existed. Humans told stories, read poems, played local instruments for music and dances, and even had plays in their theatres in the ancient Greek era, birthing great writers like Sophocles and Aristophanes. Another thing humans did at this time for amusement was things like the jousting tournaments, amongst others.
Renaissance and Early Modern Entertainment
Entertainment evolved from storytelling and theatres to opera and ballet in the Renaissance era. At the same time, the 17th century, the beginning of the modern era, saw the improvement of entertainment from opera and ballet to public theatres, showcasing the works of Williams Shakespeare, and Circuses involving acts from acrobatics and animals.
Modern Entertainment
The modern era saw the beginning of technology in the entertainment industry. It saw the rise of digital entertainment, starting in the 19th century with the birth of cinema and ending in the television era in the mid-20th century, bringing entertainment to people’s homes.
Before World War II, entertainment technology evolved into rock ‘n’ roll music, recorded on vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs. In the 20th century, the emergence of video games became a popular form of entertainment as the 21st century saw the rise of the internet and streaming, virtual and augmented reality, digital media trends, and the gaming industry’s evolution, along with globalisation and cultural exchange.
Technology Being a Game Changer in Entertainment
The impact of technology in entertainment can be seen in various entertainment fields, which have created mind-blowing and pop culture moments in recent times. Its influence can be seen in areas such as;
Music Entertainment Technology
Technology has helped to transcend music from being something you can only hear if you are physically present to listen to it, to something you can hear anywhere in the world. You could be in America and still be able to listen to a song from an artist in Nigeria with the help of digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, etc. It also helped to improve the quality of music produced and the quantity produced, which is only possible because of the MIDI technology.
Television/Future-TV Entertainment Technology
Unlike traditional television viewing in your sitting room, streaming services allow you to watch television at your fingertips.
Additionally, through 5G technology, future TV will give a more personalised experience, as one can attend virtual events, concerts, and programs and socialise in virtual environments.
Gaming Entertainment Technology
The impact of technology in the gaming industry went from Computer Space, the first game to be released in 1972, to arcade games in the 1980s, and very advanced gaming systems are available today. Gaming in the last decade has gone from playing as your opponent in the same space to playing against different opponents from different parts of the world.
Sports Entertainment Technology
Technology advanced the sports industry with the emergence of Esports, which has become a billion-dollar industry. It also helps in sports data analysis, which helps with performances and develops the talent of sports artists alongside the improvement of sports venues and games.
Social Media Entertainment Technology
Social media platforms have become one of the many ways entertainment can be accessed, distributed, and discussed. It is also an avenue for entertainment creation and live streaming, which leads to various digital entertainment trends.
Evolution of Entertainment
The impact of technology on entertainment is undeniable. It has transformed entertainment by making it interactive, personalised, and accessible with quality graphics and unlimited possibilities. Technology will continue to evolve, further strengthening the notion that it will continue to be a game changer in entertainment and unlock many more opportunities.
Researched by: Safiya Onayi Ahmed
Learn More: Nigeria Tech Startup Ecosystem: Trends, Innovation and Funding
