Introduction:
When it comes to the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, I believe video games fit perfectly into that curve, and are extremely well represented. This blog will cover this topic, and answer some questions about video games in relation to said theory, in which I will discuss my thoughts.
Overview:
First, we must define what the Diffusion of Innovations Theory is, before we start discussing it. The Diffusion Research Institute defines it as theprocess in which "a new idea is adopted very slowly during the early stages of its diffusion process. Then, if the innovation is perceived as relatively advantageous by its initial users, its rate of adoption takes off as early adopters share their favorable experience with their peers." The theory is also commonly represented by a bell curve, which is shown above. The innovators slowly start the adaptation, the early adopters create the popularity, the early majority catches on as the popularity reaches its peak, the late majority pick it up, and finally, the laggards adapt.
So how does this apply to video games? Well video games were invented around the 1960's, which has given them the past 60+ years to make it through the diffusion curve, which it has done well. The innovators of video games, which can be seen through the games "Tennis for Two" and "Spacewar!", and companies like Atari, were responsible for lifting up and pushing the industry towards the early adopters, by building up on the ideas.
The commercial success of the early video game innovations helped spread the new technology to both adults and children alike. Early adopters came in the 70's and resurged in the 90's after the video game crash, where Nintendo came in to save the videogame industry, and thus lifted it into the early majority.
I believe we are now in the late majority phase, as people are beginning to mistrust triple A game development companies due to a few years of disappointing releases, upsetting business practices, and major scandals. However, we may see a rise in Indie developers, which may keep us in this age of late majority.
Finally, the laggards are those who either distrust the entire video game industry, those who never got in to the business, such as people who are of older age, those who prefer more outdoor activities, and those who cant access the technology due to other restrains.
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