The internet may be almost ubiquitous in the Western world now, but it is a long way off reaching that status in Africa. Online access is spreading gradually across the continent, though, and many people are discovering the internet for the first time.
This has led Africa to be described as one of the next frontiers for the web. It has the potential to boom over the coming decades, and this could all begin with the entertainment industry. To boost interest in the region, game, television, and film production companies should leverage the continent’s greatest asset – its wildlife.
Wildlife Content is Hugely Popular
Having so much natural beauty and wildlife on the doorstep may be normal for people living in Africa, and it’s something that many take for granted. However, people from other regions are hugely intrigued by the continent’s diverse landscape that’s home to thousands of amazing species. In a typical year, Africa attracts around 68 million tourists. For people who can’t take the trip to the region for any reason, the next best option is to consume content that provides insight into the wildlife in the region.
There have been countless documentaries about African wildlife over the years, with BBC’s Planet Earth showcasing some amazing scenes involving lions, hyenas, and all the other great animals that live here. It captured the true essence of the continent through incredible camera angles and technology that has brought viewers closer to the action than ever.
Wildlife themes can also be found in other areas of entertainment. For example, there are immersive mobile games like WildLife Africa – My Reserve. One of the top ten progressive jackpot slot games also uses an African wildlife theme. Microgaming’s Mega Moolah is one of the biggest slot franchises of all time, and it offers jackpots of more than £3 million.
African Production Companies Can Offer Innovative Wildlife Experiences
As the world looks to Africa as the next place for the internet and technology to boom, there will be a lot of intrigue about whether the region can bring anything new to the party. There’s no doubt that it should look toward its strengths and try to capitalize on the fact that so many people are in search of African wildlife-themed content.
With documentaries now more advanced than ever, it could be time to take the experience to the next level. This is where new platforms like virtual reality could come into play. African production companies could strive to develop their own type of documentaries that put viewers right at the center of the action. The person sitting at home may be able to put on a VR headset and find themselves right in the middle of a safari chase. This could even be combined with fictional elements, offering a new type of interactive series experience.
There’s no doubt that African production companies have a much-coveted gem at their disposal when it comes to wildlife in the region. If these businesses can use this to their advantage and create innovative wildlife-themed content, it will boost interest in the growing entertainment scene on the continent.
