The newsgame, depending on the form it takes, can be considered a subgenre of immersive journalism . Appearing less than ten years ago in newsrooms, this practice is characterized by the use of virtual reality , augmented reality , mixed reality and 360° video technologies to immerse the viewer in the heart of the information, a report or documentary.
These technologies that promote immersion are rarely, if ever, used in newsgame production. However, they promise, thanks to an increased emotional feeling, “ a better transmission of information gambling data china and, in doing so, a better understanding of the receiver, a better intellection of current affairs topics ,” write Céline Ferjoux and Emilie Ropert Dupont. In their publication “Immersive journalism and empathy: emotion as immediate knowledge of reality ,” they cite a series of recent studies that show that the incarnation of an avatar by an individual has consequences on their behavior . In 2018, Domna Banakou, Sameer Kishore and Mel Slater demonstrated that , “ when they embody Einstein, subjects with low self-esteem have better results in problem solving than when they embody an average person .”
This is something to consider if we consider the metaverse as a potential future, where we could embody avatars on a daily basis. It is considered that by putting themselves in the shoes of a character, the user will be aware of what the latter feels and will thus be “ more inclined to understand the story that is being told to them ” . With immersive journalism, we no longer talk about storytelling, but about “ storyliving ” . The user “lives” the information through immersive technologies.
The recent launch of Seven Grams , an augmented reality experience exploring the challenges of making a smartphone and co-produced by France Télévisions, has shown the enthusiasm of young audiences for this format. Presented and tested at the Tours International Journalism Conference in October 2021, the application was quite successful among middle and high school students , who were clearly already very comfortable with this type of technology. Experience proves that young audiences are ready to welcome this format. Bastien Kerspern rightly believes that audiences are more demanding of innovative formats (provided that the content addresses their concerns) than editorial offices are ready to embark on their development .
Conclusion
Newsgaming should be seen less as a medium of conquest and more as a medium of information. What will matter more to the public is the information delivered, before the format used. If the subject does not interest them, there is actually little chance that the younger generations will click, no matter what form it takes.
If the audience is already fickle, it would be even more so in a virtual world such as the metaverse. It will be necessary for the media to continue to exist in this highly competitive market, by adapting their journalistic productions.
The potential of newsgames to attract a new audience is not to be questioned. However, if until now information video games have mainly been broadcast with the aim of innovation, it will now be necessary to do so with the aim of targeted and quality information. This then requires an understanding of its audience, its cultural codes and its gaming habits.