Different generations have different meanings of the world’s culture. Currently, we’re living in a digital era so we’re experiencing the rise of digital culture. As a mix of elements, it takes influence from various sources. Technology has made its existence possible and takes future generations further down the road.
Digital culture takes influence and influences films, TV shows, video games, and entertainment in general. It also helps people digitalize and automate various processes in the workplace. Another element that influences digital culture, and influenced by it is books.
Books have been staple elements of culture for many years. They are instructive and educational and were the first written elements that took people to imaginary worlds. In the digital era, some have taken the shapes of e-books or electronic books. Readers can enjoy them on various tablets meant for reading, known as e-readers.
It’s comforting to know that paper books still exist. Collectors have them on their shelves and bookstores still sell them. Although they exist in such a format, they still have a potent influence on digital culture. Below are a few examples of how books influence digital culture.
Influence on Gaming
The world of gaming has taken an online shape nowadays with various titles entertaining gamers across the globe. Popular games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends are quite popular as pastime titles and games that turn players into professional athletes. Although these seem like original titles, their core resides in books. Both types of games feature heroes with various magical abilities. Some are prone to strength, others to agility, and others to intelligence. Players enhance their heroes’ abilities with various items in the game. Both the items and heroes are inspired by creatures of myth and legend in folk tales of various peoples.
The same aspect is true for many platforms, web-browser, and indie games. Even online casino games draw inspiration from mythology from time to time. Any casino fan will confirm that there are several slot titles with themes inspired by Greek and Egyptian mythologies. Various epics also appear as themes with slots. Casino fans can play Sweet Bonanza at Casino Days and other platforms and enter a virtual world of sweets just like Hensel and Gretel. Players can enjoy these games by going for the demo version. Alternatively, they can go for the real money experience with a bonus or two. Either way, platforms offer a secure and seamless casino experience.
Aside from online games, there have been a couple of video games inspired by books, and comic books, their cousins. The best example of a video game inspired by books is the Witcher franchise. The series of books follows the adventures and misadventures of Geralt of Rivia and his companions. The games pick up where the books left off and work as sequels to the franchise. The creative minds of CD Projekt Red are avid fans of the books and continue the story of the titular character. The first one starts immediately after the last book. The second one takes Geralt on a quest to find the assassins of a king, and the third one puts him against the toughest challenge yet – being a father.
The comic book industry has a more artistic approach to telling a story in that it combines pictures and words. Comic books have inspired many video games. The Marvel Universe has several titles inspired by Spider-Man and the X-Men. The DC universe has the fantastic Arkham franchise. These are just two examples of many video games inspired by books in the digital era.
Influence on Film and TV
The existence and popularity of various streaming platforms show just how popular films and TV shows are. Creators craft originals for each platform giving the audience more content than in the past. Naturally, they’ll turn to books for inspiration. One of the most famous film franchises is the James Bond franchise. It’s a film series that has been spanning since the 70s and has had many actors step into the role of the famous secret agent. Daniel Craig was the last one who made his debut with Casino Royale, and studios are still searching for the next one. Each film follows a single mission of the agent as he tracks down friendly and not-so-friendly spies. All these adventures first came in the form of books by none other than Ian Fleming. There have been a couple of video games to immerse fans further.
So far, there have been loads of films based on true stories first appearing in novels. Alice in Wonderland has made its debut as a cartoon, only to be adapted to the screen a couple of times. There are even TV shows that focus on telling a tale from a book. The most illustrious example of a TV show based on books is Game of Thrones. It’s a fantasy series that decided to go its way since the book franchise isn’t finished.
Influence on Other Books
Aside from the elements mentioned before, books also influence other books regardless if they’re digital or not. The current top titles have influences from back in the day. The thing about authors is that they grow up reading books and mature as storytellers the more they practice their craft. The more they practice, the more they hone the influence of others and show it in their titles. Some of their books might even pay homage to authors of old and even feature them as characters. In short, old books influence new ones and help future authors express themselves. They can do so in a digital or paper format.
To Sum Up
Books are potent elements that shape digital culture. They have inspired many current authors and will continue inspiring authors in the future. Aside from them, books are inspirations for many video games, both online and single-player ones. On top of that, they’ll continue to shape the digital culture of films and TV shows on many streaming platforms.
Markus lives in San Francisco, California and is the video game and audio expert on Good e-Reader! He has a huge interest in new e-readers and tablets, and gaming.
