Post 4: Future of Convergence

            The future of technology is rapidly changing. Through the power of media, the world we live in has become completely digitized. Radical developments in the ways we consume have shaped the economy and various societies. Of the utmost importance however, is mobile media.

            In whatever form this comes to be, mobile technology is the future of convergence. We live in a world where virtually anything we need is at the tip of our fingers. The concept of consumerism has changed in large part due to not only social media, “It is ironic that we have a world of information at our fingertips through the Internet and greater communicative power than ever before for the public, yet we often squander it on pop culture trivia and an incessant need to keep in contact with others.” (Pavlik 214) but the Internet’s availability as a whole. People are able to shop, watch their favorite shows or movies, communicate with people on the other side of the world, or simply just share their thoughts.

            Corporations have capitalized off this notion, and began catering to this shift in consumerism. One particular example in regard to gaming is Madden NFL. The game began as a 2D experience on low quality gaming systems. However, over the years it has began catering to a more general audience. You no longer need a major gaming system in order to play it. Although it is still advertised traditionally via television and print, it is now largely advertised online.

            The game has taken on a life of its own. There are ads and promotional trailers found on sites like YouTube, and also largely endorsed on social media. The introduction of online gaming also plays a very big factor. In fact, being able to compete with someone digitally enhances the interaction of the fanbase.

           

Recently, the developers of Madden have released a mobile version of the game for free. For a free download, users are allowed most freedoms they would from the console version. However, to gain the same console features like better players and features the user must pay money in order to achieve the same type of interaction.

            Although the game is advertised as “free,” the aim is that the user will make in game purchases. Thus, the user is influenced to buy more. This is just an example of what convergence has become. You take something like Madden, which is a traditional console game, and expose it on television through NFL games, and mostly on social media.

            The future of convergence lies in mobile devices, where that will take us no one knows. Society was dumbfounded by touch screen technology. But soon the Internet will be plugged into our brain like The Matrix. Laugh now, but we’ll see.

Citation

Pavlik, John V., and Shawn McIntosh. Converging Media: A New Introduction to Mass Communication. 4nd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 2014. P 214