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Can Video Games be considered another new mass media? What makes Video Games a different medium from conventional movies and music? Why are video games catching on?
Mass media by definition is described as any medium used to transmit mass communication (Lane, 2007), and in the case of Video Games, that is certainly true. Video Games have been around for a long time, and with the help of other forms of mass media like television and the Internet, it is able to spread its influence to users to a wide extent. The messages of Video Games are sent in a many-to-many fashion, especially with new technologies that enable the online gaming experiences to reach a new height; such as putting together many different forms of media into a single medium (ie. Internet, voice chat, instant messaging, visual cinematic).

Video Games are a different medium from conventional movies and music mainly because of its ability to become interactive. Users are able to control what happens in Video Games and what they want to do, whereas movies and music lead a more linear path, providing you with something that can only be seen or listened to, without the option for the audience to choose the outcome what happens next. The Video Games now also allow users to participate and engage in the games physically through sensors, ie. Nintendo Wii, creating a new dynamic and view of digital media.



Video Games are catching on as a new mass media because of its ability to integrate users' comments and opinions into the development of the games, quite similar to the structure of Web 2.0 and its user-generated products and ideas. Video Games are also improving in such a way that the contents of the games are no longer set in stone, where downloadable contents (DLC) can now modify or improve on a game from glitches or based on user reviews. Technology is constantly changing, and with Video Games adapting to such technologies, it is no wonder why this market is considered to be a new form of mass media communication.


 * Sources:

- Lane, Beth (2007). Media Studies Definitions Mass Media Terms and Concepts for Lessons and Discussion. Retrieved online at  **

- "Nintendo Wii helps stroke victims recover." Ubergizmo. 1 Oct. 2007. Web. 24 Sept. 2009. .