The use of virtual reality and augmented reality particularly in the games and entertainment space is rising rapidly in South Africa. The Film and Publication Board, mandated to regulate media content for purposes of protecting children from premature exposure to potentially harmful content in South Africa, is watching these developments with interest, and some trepidation.
A mere decade ago the world of virtual reality would have seemed to the average South African like a scene from Star Trek where Captain Kirk hangs out on the Holodeck on the USS Enterprise to escape the stress of the real world. Yet the uptake of the virtual reality (VR) format of entertainment saw a rapid growth of 168% in 2017 – the first year of the platform’s availability in the country. So popular has VR gaming been in South Africa that it garnered R48 million in its first year in the local market. It is predicted to grow to R314 million by 2022. VR video revenue, on the other hand garnered R23 million in 2017, and is expected to rise to R351 million by 2022.
The popularity of VR follows a high uptake of formats such as 3D, 4XD, D-Box and IMAX. Collectively, these accounted for 65% of the overall gross of entertainment and media revenue in 2017. VR video and gaming current and projected revenues strongly suggest an appetite for immersive cinema and gaming experiences. This has implications for the regulatory bodies in South Africa and across the continent, when it comes to classifying content with elements such as violence and ‘graphicness’ (this is not an existing formal consideration currently); and ‘competitive intensity’.
These are some of the reflections drawn from a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)’s Media and Entertainment Outlook, which looks at South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania.
The study points to relatively slower uptake rates of fixed broadband in South Africa, as consumers are weary of data costs and also due to infrastructure challenges. Mobile Internet on the other hand is on the up and up. Mobile Internet devices are the devices of choice among young people and their online activity is driven mainly by social networks accessed conveniently through smartphones. The appeal of this mode of Internet access spreads beyond the youth market, as more people avoid high data costs associated with traditional entertainment and media platforms, and seek to circumvent broadband limitations. This is exemplified by the consumption of Internet-based gaming, which is predicted to grow by 35.7% in South Africa; a growth surpassing that of videos (35.1%). A similar pattern is predicted for Nigeria and Kenya.
The Film and Publication Board, mandated to regulate media content for purposes of protecting children from premature exposure to potentially harmful content in South Africa, is watching these developments with interest, and some trepidation.
For example, what controls do parents have over which games their children are playing? As it is, studies have shown that children choose games with minimal (if any) involvement of a parent. And children are fond of games with high levels of violence. Game developers, for example, are watching these developments, and will be keen to churn out more of the good stuff (read more graphic content) in order to attract traffic. And violence is not the only concern.
Researchers and regulators are also concerned about addiction and possible impact on brain development, especially among children and adolescents. Of course the FPB also acknowledges the educational benefits or potential of video gaming. Also, it is important to point out that, while some studies have recorded a positive correlation between games containing violence and levels of aggression, a causal link has not been found. What should concern everyone though is the repeated exposure to violent content, which tends to desensitise people to violence, and to normalise violence.
This growth in mobile traffic means there are more chances of inappropriate content that individuals, particularly children, could be exposed to.
The challenge for regulators in South Africa and Africa broadly is to consider carefully the implications of these developments on the continent’s respective markets. Coming up to speed with the rapid changes in technology and content creation and consumption patterns is a challenge that requires innovation and resources. Importantly, however, the need for a strong regulatory regime is critical, as is the cooperation of important stakeholders, from content producers to Internet Service Providers and distributors. Every player in the entertainment and media space should see themselves as a part of, and not a hindrance, to the imperative of protecting our children from harmful media experiences.
I’m now not certain the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time studying much more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.
A person essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish amazing. Wonderful job!
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for novice blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
My husband and i ended up being really peaceful Albert managed to round up his web research through the precious recommendations he acquired from your very own weblog. It is now and again perplexing just to find yourself releasing things which usually some others might have been selling. And we do understand we now have the writer to be grateful to for this. The most important explanations you made, the easy web site navigation, the relationships you can make it possible to create – it is mostly great, and it’s helping our son in addition to us believe that this content is amusing, and that’s wonderfully vital. Many thanks for the whole lot!
I just couldn’t depart your web site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often in order to check up on new posts
I have read several just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you put to create any such excellent informative site.
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad to be a visitant of this unadulterated web blog! , regards for this rare information! .
Thanks for this post, I am a big big fan of this web site would like to keep updated.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Many thanks
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Some really prime posts on this website , bookmarked.
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks However I’m experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical rss downside? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Some truly interesting details you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was looking for : D.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a huge portion of people will miss your great writing because of this problem.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
There’s noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice factors in options also.
I besides believe therefore, perfectly composed post! .
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with almost all significant infos. I?¦d like to peer more posts like this .
Wohh precisely what I was looking for, regards for putting up.
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its aided me. Good job.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
It?¦s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I?¦m happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
As soon as I discovered this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
I am constantly searching online for ideas that can benefit me. Thx!
Admiring the hard work you put into your blog and in depth information you provide. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a perfect website.
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
You can certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, thanks.
Merely wanna input that you have a very nice site, I enjoy the style it really stands out.
As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling great , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
Thank you so much for giving everyone an extremely wonderful opportunity to read articles and blog posts from this website. It’s usually so ideal and also stuffed with a lot of fun for me personally and my office colleagues to visit your blog not less than 3 times weekly to find out the fresh secrets you have. Of course, I’m so always fulfilled considering the incredible suggestions you give. Some 2 areas on this page are completely the most efficient I’ve ever had.
I truly value your work, Great post.
Magnificent site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your sweat!
Great site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos!
Its superb as your other blog posts : D, thanks for putting up. “You can’t have everything. Where would you put it” by Steven Wright.
fantastic submit, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector don’t realize this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
A lot of thanks for all of the effort on this web page. My daughter delights in getting into investigation and it’s easy to see why. Most of us know all regarding the dynamic form you give invaluable strategies on your web blog and as well as encourage contribution from some other people about this theme plus our own child is truly understanding a lot of things. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the year. You have been conducting a useful job.
I genuinely prize your work, Great post.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any approach you may remove me from that service? Thanks!
I was looking at some of your articles on this site and I conceive this web site is very instructive! Keep on posting.
There is apparently a lot to realize about this. I believe you made some good points in features also.
Some truly nice stuff on this site, I love it.
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Simply wanna remark that you have a very decent website , I enjoy the style and design it really stands out.
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
Thank you for every other fantastic post. The place else may anybody get that type of info in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for such information.
Dead composed written content, thankyou for entropy.
Useful information. Fortunate me I discovered your site accidentally, and I am shocked why this coincidence didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
Sweet website , super design and style, rattling clean and apply friendly.
I believe this site has got some very wonderful info for everyone : D.
Thanks for another excellent post. The place else may just anybody get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such info.
I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I do accept as true with all of the concepts you’ve introduced on your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are very quick for newbies. May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Some truly superb content on this internet site, appreciate it for contribution. “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” by Benjamin Franklin.
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
Its great as your other posts : D, thanks for posting.
Thanks for another informative website. Where else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I’ve a undertaking that I’m just now running on, and I’ve been on the glance out for such info.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Would love to constantly get updated outstanding blog! .