Once perceived as an anti-social pursuit, gaming now offers people a way to connect with peers around the world through streaming, forums, and social media. How do these diverse communities go beyond gameplay to support individuals in their search for escapism and creative expression?

From podcasts to audiobooks, spoken word audio has undergone massive growth in recent years, especially among younger age groups. As the way that people consume media evolves, there’s an opportunity for brands to meet consumers in these new audio spaces.

Riding on the success of Netflix’sBandersnatch, ITV has launched a series of choose-your-own-adventure ads forI’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!To drive engagement and capture the attention of ad-fatigued viewers, brands are exploring innovative, interactive storytelling techniques.

Best known for its vibrant settings and gratuitous violence,Grand Theft Auto Vhas been given a new lease on life online. A single mod has turned it into a community-led RPG that has as many spectators as it does players, demonstrating how open gaming worlds can foster large-scale collaboration.