What does it mean if something is considered to be pop culture? Essentially, it means that it is classed as a particular thing that tends to be dominant within society, and its features are seen to be accepted as a norm. Because of the internet, the line between what is and isn’t pop culture has been slightly blurred but is still very much visible. This is especially the case within gaming, as this has never been more popular than it is now. As such, the games we play tend to have a massive impact on the other games that are created and on our everyday lives too.
Why Is Gaming Such a Massive Part of Society?
Gaming has become such an unmistakably huge part of society for a few different reasons. Firstly, it is because of how fun it is. There is no getting around the fact that gaming is fun, and as such, there are a lot of people out there who like to do it. This is also backed up by the second reason why it is such a massive part of our lifestyle, which is its versatility.
There is a huge variety of games out there, and they dive in and out of every genre imaginable, which means that whatever you’re into, there is a game for it. There are shooters, sports games, racing games, and even online gambling games on different sites that you can play.
Gaming also evolves with the times, which keeps everything fresh and exciting. For instance, with poker, online gamblers are now able to play video poker. This is similar to regular poker but can very easily be done online, and so access to it for gamers has never been more straightforward. If you are interested in playing, then check out the video poker at Cafe.
So, which of these popular games are some of the most influential in modern pop culture?
Fortnite
Yes, starting off the list is the well-known worldwide phenomenon that is Fortnite. When it initially launched, Fortnite was nothing more than a joke, and now it is one of the most popular games on the planet. It was originally perceived as a flop, but then thanks to the success of PUBG, Fortnite was soon propelled straight into the mainstream and has not left since. It is so popular that people decide to dress up as characters from the game at different conventions.
Fortnite essentially bookends the world of gaming for people who are not into gaming. This basically means that their appreciation of gaming starts and stops with this game. It has even created its own celebrity culture, as there are streamers out there now who are very rich and popular all because they film themselves playing Fortnite.
Minecraft
This is one of the older games on the list, as its development originally began all the way back in the 2000s. That being said, the first actual incarnation of Minecraft wasn’t officially released until over a decade later. Since then, because of the huge emphasis placed on the players’ own creativity and the fact it gives normal people a chance to build their very own realities, Minecraft has become one of the most downloaded and played games on the planet.
Players all start the game on the same level, with nothing except for a pickaxe and a bit of determination. After that, it is entirely up to them what they decide to do. The world is made up of an array of blocks, and all of them can be broken down if the player has the right tools. Once they have been broken down, the player is then able to turn them into resources that are used to create different items. There are different game modes with additional features and varying intensities depending on what the player would like to get out of their experience.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls inspired a massive number of sequels as a lot of game developers seemed to take on the role of making the next one. The game appealed to so many gamers because of how extremely difficult it was. The penalties upon death within the game were harsh too, and as such, the adrenaline-inducing risk was enough to make any gamer happy. The storyline was also incredibly immersive and entertaining, as players are thrown into a dying world that is riddled with horror, confusion, and regret. If you play the game badly, then you have an absolute mess on your hands, but for many, that was just part of the appeal.
Conclusion
There are many different things that can go on to influence pop culture and mainstream society, but one of the biggest influences at the moment is the games we play. Above, some of the most influential games in pop culture are discussed in a bit more detail.
