Video games have come a long way since the days of simple pixelated graphics and limited soundtracks. Over the decades, they’ve grown into a powerhouse of storytelling, creativity, and social engagement that now influences almost every part of popular culture. From movies and fashion to education and music, video games have inspired trends, influenced ideas, and even changed how people think and interact with each other. In this list, I’ll walk you through some fascinating, often unexpected ways video games have impacted the world around us. Let’s explore how gaming has moved beyond screens and shaped the world in ways we might not have expected.
1. Popularized 3D Graphics in Movies
Movies started adopting 3D technology for visual effects after video games popularized it in the late ‘90s. Games like Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII helped push the boundaries of 3D modeling, encouraging filmmakers to adopt similar techniques. Today, we see entire movies built on CGI and 3D graphics, with lifelike animations and motion capture that borrow directly from gaming.
2. Created New Fashion Trends
Characters in video games are often trendsetters when it comes to fashion, especially in streetwear. Iconic looks from games like Street Fighter and Final Fantasy have made their way into real-world fashion, with clothing brands even collaborating with game developers. From Super Mario tees to high-fashion collaborations with Fortnite, video games have a major influence on clothing trends.
3. Brought Esports to Global Fame
Esports has gone from niche to mainstream, with tournaments that attract millions of viewers worldwide. Video games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike have turned gaming into a spectator sport, with professional players, coaches, and even dedicated arenas. The popularity of esports has helped make gaming a respected part of entertainment and athletic competition.
4. Inspired Storytelling in Movies and TV
Video games have changed how stories are told in movies and TV by influencing nonlinear, choice-driven plots. Shows like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch allow viewers to make choices, reflecting the interactive storytelling style in games like The Walking Dead and Mass Effect. Now, traditional media is beginning to explore interactive experiences for audiences.
5. Introduced Motion Capture to the Mainstream
Many games use motion capture to bring realism to their characters, and this technology has spread to movies and TV as well. Popularized by games like Uncharted and The Last of Us, motion capture allows characters to move more naturally, creating immersive storytelling. It’s a key technique now in blockbuster films and series, where digital performances are essential.
6. Gave Rise to Live-Streaming Entertainment
The live-streaming world was kick-started by gamers broadcasting their gameplay to audiences around the globe. Platforms like Twitch were originally dedicated to game streaming, but now live streaming extends far beyond gaming, with everything from cooking shows to art tutorials. Gaming paved the way for a whole new entertainment format.
7. Created Iconic Music and Soundtracks
Gaming soundtracks have become iconic, and they’re often as beloved as movie soundtracks. From the haunting tunes of Silent Hill to the epic orchestras in Halo, gaming music has entered mainstream culture, with live orchestral performances and dedicated albums. Many fans find nostalgia and joy in these soundtracks, and they remain a beloved part of gaming culture.
8. Boosted Popularity of Virtual and Augmented Reality
While VR and AR existed before, video games helped push these technologies forward in a big way. Games like Pokémon Go and Beat Saber showed the world how fun and immersive these experiences could be. Now, VR and AR are used widely beyond gaming, from virtual meetings to immersive art installations.
9. Made Online Social Interaction Normal
Video games were some of the first platforms where people could interact online in real time, especially through MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) like World of Warcraft. Today, online social spaces are everywhere, and games paved the way for virtual friendships, online communities, and even virtual worlds like the Metaverse.
10. Popularized the Open-World Concept
Games like The Legend of Zelda and Grand Theft Auto introduced the open-world concept, allowing players to explore vast digital landscapes freely. This idea has made its way into various forms of media, influencing how people think about interactive experiences and the possibilities of digital storytelling.
11. Introduced Complex Moral Choices in Storytelling
Video games have allowed players to make moral decisions that impact the game’s outcome, as seen in titles like Bioshock and The Witcher. These complex choices have inspired movies and TV shows to incorporate moral dilemmas, adding depth to character-driven stories.
12. Paved the Way for Interactive Art Installations
With immersive experiences like Minecraft and Animal Crossing, video games have shown the power of interactive art. This influence is visible in modern art exhibits that encourage viewers to engage with the art rather than passively observing. Interactive exhibits are now a popular form of modern expression.
13. Made Mobile Games a Mainstream Pastime
Mobile games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush turned gaming into a casual, everyday hobby for millions. These games have introduced a whole new audience to gaming and have shaped how we spend our time, influencing everything from travel entertainment to quick breaks during the day.
14. Inspired Fitness and Health Apps
Games like Wii Fit and Ring Fit Adventure showed people that gaming could be part of a healthy lifestyle. Today, we have numerous fitness apps that use similar game-like incentives and challenges to keep people motivated and active, creating a fun approach to health.
15. Influenced Political Messaging
Certain games have addressed social and political issues directly, using their platforms to spread awareness and provoke thought. Titles like Papers, Please and Detroit: Become Human cover complex themes like immigration and artificial intelligence. The success of these games has led to more conversations around how games can influence political discussions.
16. Created Collectible Icons Beyond the Game
Some video game characters are so iconic they’ve turned into collectibles and cultural symbols. Characters like Mario, Sonic, and Pikachu are recognizable globally, and their influence extends to toys, clothing, and other merchandise that remain popular for generations.
17. Changed How Advertisers Reach Audiences
Brands saw the massive reach of games and started embedding ads within them. Now, we see brands collaborating with games for cross-promotion, like Nike skins in Fortnite or Coca-Cola vending machines in SimCity. This has led to a whole new advertising approach that reaches millions of gamers.
18. Made Cosplay a Mainstream Hobby
Cosplay owes much of its popularity to video games, with conventions often filled with fans dressed as their favorite game characters. Games with distinctive costumes, like Overwatch or League of Legends, have inspired fans to bring characters to life, making cosplay a global phenomenon.
19. Introduced People to Japanese Culture
Many popular games come from Japan and have introduced global audiences to aspects of Japanese culture, from food to fashion and anime. Games like Persona 5 and Yakuza are filled with Japanese cultural elements that inspire curiosity and appreciation for Japan around the world.
20. Changed How We Talk About Mental Health
Some games openly tackle mental health topics, helping to normalize these conversations. Titles like Celeste and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice address issues like anxiety and psychosis, encouraging empathy and awareness around mental health in a way that few other mediums have done.
21. Inspired Entire Movie Franchises
Many popular movie franchises, from Resident Evil to Tomb Raider, started as video games. These adaptations, while often divisive, show how impactful game storylines can be, inspiring entire cinematic worlds based on game lore.
22. Expanded What Counts as Art
Video games are often debated as an art form, with games like Journey and Shadow of the Colossus often cited as examples of “games as art.” The visuals, sound design, and emotional experiences in gaming have led to its recognition as a legitimate art form, now displayed in museums and galleries.
23. Normalized Female Leads in Media
Games like Tomb Raider and Metroid featured strong female protagonists long before they were common in movies and TV. These trailblazing characters have paved the way for more inclusive storytelling across media, leading to a greater acceptance of diverse leads in popular culture.
24. Encouraged Global Collaboration
Online multiplayer games foster cross-cultural friendships and collaboration, connecting players from all around the world. Games like Minecraft and Among Us allow people to work together, solve problems, and learn from each other, showing how video games break down borders and build global connections.
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
