Celebrities live lives that most people envy, but they are also human beings who have a desire to have fun and be entertained. This is why many of them turn to gaming as a way to detach from the noise and have an exciting experience. With this in mind, let’s explore all of the different reasons why gaming is so popular with celebs.
Firstly, over the past several years, gaming has surged in popularity thanks to technological innovations which has propelled the gaming industry to new heights. But it isn’t just ordinary people who want to get in on the action; celebrities have also began to entertain the notion of gaming. Celebrities are increasingly seeing the appeal of gaming because it is so convenient, allowing these famous figures to play games from their mobile device and on the go, which is perfect to fit in with their busy schedules. There are also many types of games available on the market that don’t require too much critical thinking such as slots which allows celebrities to engage in quick, fast-paced gaming sessions in-between running errands.
Additionally, celebrities are becoming more open and proud of their love for gaming and the positive effects it has had on them. This has helped to deconstruct the stereotypes around gamers as celebrities are typically seen in mainstream media as motivated individuals. As well as this, more celebrities are inclined to try gaming if other famous people have revealed that is has helped them detach from their work.
With celebrities, their desire to bring entertainment and joy to their fans springs forth in everything that they do. This is even the case with streaming which has become more popular in recent years. For example, Twitch and YouTube have completely transformed the way that people watch gamers, closing the gap between creators and audiences. On top of this, more people are engaging in Esports tournaments with some being dedicated exclusively to certain games or types of games. This has caught the attention of many famous faces who hate to miss out on all the fun. For instance, Ninja has become a gaming influencer, creating his own army of followers. Similarly, Michael Phelps has his own Twitch channel where he live-streams his gameplay for his fans.
Of course, there is a strong relationship between some celebrities’ line of work and gaming as both are seen as forms of entertainment. For example, the film industry and the gaming sector share many similarities as they rely on audience / player satisfaction as well as high quality graphics, sounds and interesting plots. This means that many actors who enjoy their work are more inclined to try gaming as being a gamer and an actor requires a lot of the same skills. This has been exemplified by actors such as Henry Cavill. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 he told fans that he pushed his agent to get a meeting with The Witcher’s showrunner, Lauren Schmidt, before the series had been greenlit. His interest in acting and gaming overlapped to create The Witcher series which has been successful in terms of viewership and ratings.
For celebrities, maintaining privacy is something that they have always struggled with. Gaming offers a means to get out of the public eye. As they can play under different names, celebrities can communicate with others and role-play as a different character without worrying about being recognised and criticised. This anonymity allows them to relax and enjoy the game, giving their brain the much needed rest it deserves. In a virtual world, they are treated as an equal, and their success in the game is based solely on their skills and capabilities rather than any preconceived notions other people have of them.
The gaming industry is the perfect place for endorsement and sponsorship opportunities. Celebrities have begun to partner with famous gaming brands to get revenue and visibility. Some are tasked with promoting new games, consoles, or accessories, and taking part in live-streamed events or tournaments. This can be beneficial not just for the gaming company who will get more engagement and sales but also for the celebrity who will be on the receiving end of more attention and income. It is common to see celebrities use their social media channels as a platform to promote new games as they have already cemented a large following there.
In conclusion, it is clear to see that celebrities are more interested in gaming than ever before. From famous people streaming themselves gaming to actively opening up about what types of games they play, there is no shortage of celebrity gamers. As the relationship between gaming and celebrity culture continues to flourish, we should see more famous individuals become more interested in gaming activities.