In an interview, the CEO of SpatialOS spoke about the future of gaming. He referred to games as the next stage of human culture and expects online games to replace social media.
Who is speaking? Herman Narula is the CEO of the start-up Improbable. The company is developing the “wonder technology” SpatialOS, which aims to create huge, seamless worlds for millions of players.
The company has received over $1.5 billion in funding over time and even acquired its own gaming studio.
What was discussed in the interview? In a conversation with the website Techonomy, Narula discussed the future of gaming and presented some exciting theses surrounding video games.
Gaming as the next stage of culture?
What does Narula expect for the future? In the interview, Narula paints an interesting and somewhat romantic picture of gaming. In his view, video games are an important part of culture and can even help people:
Games are the next step in human culture. They help people understand what and who they are.
Being a player is a cultural attribute, just as being born in a certain era or speaking a different language.
Narula also sees a great opportunity for the future in gaming. Shared experiences in online games are expected to lead to more empathy and provide opportunities to learn more about humanity. He even draws a comparison to the Christmas truce from World War I, when soldiers laid down their weapons and celebrated together at some locations.
Narula also views equality of opportunity in video games positively:
In games, the most successful people are those who deserve it, regardless of their nation or race.
Will online games replace social media? In another thesis, Narula speaks about the future of social media. So far, they have primarily been a place for negative news.
The future, on the other hand, is expected to be more experiential and interactive:
The next social platforms will be interactive. It will no longer be about creating a global museum for social experiences, but about experiencing something together.
The internet of experiences.
Gaming as a place for positive experiences?
Could these ideas become reality? The gaming world is growing larger and acceptance among the general population is increasing. The average gamer in Germany is according to Statista 36 years old, and the number of gamers is steadily increasing.
It is therefore quite possible that in the future, social media will be replaced by interactive platforms or perhaps even online games.
However, whether this world will be more harmonious and positive than social media remains to be seen. Currently, there are still instances of toxic and discriminatory behavior in gaming. A study even claims that about two-thirds of all online players have been harassed.
Of course, Herman Narula also has an interest in the growth of gaming, so that his own technologies can be utilized in the future. After all, SpatialOS aims for a vast world with many players.
Yet the idea of mingling with all one’s friends and acquaintances in a virtual world sounds very interesting. Attempts have been made with games like Second Life, but it has not taken hold.
It remains to be seen whether Narula’s theses will become reality or remain just a wishful dream.
What do you think about the future of gaming and social media?
