If you were raised on a CNN-heavy diet, chances are you lean left. In the 1960s, Hungarian academic George Gerbner published a paper discussing what he called “cultivation theory.” In a nutshell, Gerbner suggested that there was a direct link between the media a user consumes and their perceptions of reality. In fact, significant changes are already occurring. Going forward, will the Chinese owners of gaming studios attempt to influence the content being created? Will the owners use video games to “sell” Chinese ideology? Changes are coming, but will they be subtle or substantial? The answers should be obvious. In a piece for CNBC, Sam Shead warns that “China’s influence is growing as its tech giants snap up gaming studios around the world.” With these acquisitions, and consequent Chinese influence, there is every reason to believe that “video games could look a little different in the coming years as a result.” Alas, as they say, all good things must come to an end.Īfter decades of American and Japanese dominance, China is on the rise. Since then, Japan and the United States have dominated the gaming space. It has been 50 years since Nintendo, the Japanese company founded by Fusajiro Yamauchi, released the Magnavox Odyssey, the first ever home video game console.
