"Looking back from 2026, it's almost impossible to believe that video games were once treated as a flippant, dead-end hobby reserved for burnouts and social outcasts."
"In a world where game streamers can potentially earn millions and the video game industry itself has generated a remarkable $180 billion in revenue annually since 2022, it's ridiculous to think of that there was a time when games themselves were a hotly contested cultural issue."
"Stay Alive's horror conceit is to frame video games with a seductive, dangerous allure, as a group of friends unwittingly invoke the spirit of a notorious serial killer while playing."
In 2026, the perception of video games has drastically changed from being seen as a frivolous hobby to a lucrative industry. The gaming sector has generated $180 billion annually since 2022, largely due to mobile games. Past concerns about gaming's impact on lifestyle and behavior have faded, making gaming a normalized part of society. Films like Stay Alive illustrate the early fears surrounding gaming, portraying it as both alluring and dangerous, while also reflecting on the cultural shift in attitudes towards video games.
Read at Inverse
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