Virtual Identities in Video Games

Today's generation of gamers have been altered a significant amount over the years. The advancement in video games has had a tremendous impact on popular culture as a result. Among these advancements have been the ability to play games with people online, or across the world. I remember a time when the only type of multiplayer games were local, which meant you had to sit around on the couch with your friends and play on the same television and console. It seems as though that this type of social interaction and competition among friends locally has and is continuing to become abandoned as games get more and more complex. However, achieving these advancements and reaching these plateaus has not had only a positive impact on gamers, because some gamers use different identities in games creating an socially awkward or dangerous atmosphere.

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Most people would believe that the creation of a character or avatar in a online multiplayer game should be a reflection of that person's real identity to a certain extent. However, Online multiplayer games have come to such an extreme point that this is no longer the case. For some reason, gamers in these worlds have felt the need to deviate their gaming character to an extent to which the comparison with that person in reality can not be recognized. Popular culture as well as the media have had something to do with this by labeling people that play these games as nerds or geeks associated with a negative connotation, to a degree where people that indulge themselves in these games take that to heart and feel the need to alter themselves in an alternate reality I suppose. With the advancements of technology, such as in videogames have had a huge impact on society in terms entertainment purposes, but is not entirely true in terms of social factors of society to the point where people can receive all the entertainment behind a screen and not have to interact face to face with a single person, thus creating a general decline of social skills in today's society and future generations to come if something is not to be done about the insecurities, people such as the gamers with virtual identities in pop culture.

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Tolkien's Literature in Pop Culture

Tolkien's works of literature such as the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings, and many other works based on his middle-earth universe have had a monumental impact on the world of literature and as a result have had an impact on pop culture as well. This has to do in part because of how complex this universe of his actually is. Not only did Tolkien create his own world and universe, but he also created his own languishes such as Elvish and Dwarvish, as well as his own geography of middle-earth, and other cultures of people in this universe. When taking all of these things into consideration, it is easy to see what distinguishes his works of literature apart from other authors at that time as well as today. It is almost as if he created another reality in terms of complexity rather than just another fantasy to be enjoyed. With all of this in mind, Tolkein is regarded as one of if not the most influential writer of adventures and fantasies, and will forever be reknowned for his works and contributions in pop culture to this day and for the rest of the forseeable future as well

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The works of Tolkien have been so influential on the fans and filmakers, that even today they are a primary source of entertainment to be enjoyed and can be seen as some of the most successful movies in the box office due to how high grossing they were when they were released. This would not have come to pass had it not been for the influnces his writing has had. Tolkein passed away September 2, 1972, and his movies are still being created at this time and will be continued to be made and enjoyed in the future for many generations to come. This goes to show how significant of an impact he has had in literature, because they are still being enjoyed and are advancing in popularity after all this time. Tolkien's works of literature have stood the test of time, not only for his epic tales and adventures, but for the more complex meanings and symbols behind his writings as well.

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Entertainment in Pop Culture

Growing up in the 1990's, reading comic books was not always considered the cool thing to do. More often than not, reading comics was more likely associated with a negative connotation, rather than it is perceived today in positivity. Beloved comics grasped the attention of the media and popular culture influencing film makers to recreate the vast universes captured in comic book fantasies. The way people perceive comics today rather than in the past has transformed dramatically and comic books have had a huge impact on popular culture as a result.

Movies that are made based on comic books have turned out to be some of the highest grossing movies of all time in the box offices, partly because of the action packed scenes as well as the intense plot lines in the movies, but for the most part, it has to do with the huge influence that the media has on the audience. The comic book industry has always been successful, but has never been as recognized as it is today. Among these industries are Marvel Comics and Detective Comics which are the most well known by fans, as well as the most sought after by the film makers as a source of entertainment. Marvel movies such as the Avengers and Captain America for example, are some of the more popular movies in the box offices and are widely appreciated by the fans.

Although comics have affected the film industry greatly, they have also influenced television shows such as the Big Bang Theory, the Simpsons, and many other TV shows depicting fans in a negative connotation. The media's influence on entertainment such as this is very significant. It is almost as if there is a new breed of comic book nerd today than in the past. In the past, before the media and popular culture got its hands on comics in the film industry, it was not always the way it is today. However, not only has the media had a huge influence on comics, drawing more movie fans to the actual comics out of interest, but comics have had a large impact on the world of entertainment in popular culture as well, creating sources of entertainment in film for a larger margin of an audience to enjoy than only the comics can provide. Had it not been for a film maker becoming intrigued with comic books as a kid perhaps, this may never have come to pass.


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