According to PwC’s latest Global Entertainment & Media Outlook, M&E revenues are expected to hit $3.5 trillion by 2029, led by advertising, live events and video games. The report also offers a positive outlook for streaming video, OTT, subscription VOD, theatrical box office, with numerous M&E areas impacted by the adoption of artificial intelligence. Streaming video is expected to jump 33 percent to more than $112 billion by 2029, while global revenue for video games is forecast to reach $300 billion in 2029, up 29 percent from $224 billion in 2024. Of three major categories analyzed — connectivity, advertising and consumer — advertising is expected to grow the fastest. Continue reading PwC Eyes Growth for Ads, Events, Gaming, Streaming Video

Virtual reality startup Nomadic is integrating real-world physical objects, such as a flashlight, into its VR experiences. Among the other physical objects are leaky pipes that let off real hot air, a file cabinet that has to be opened to retrieve a real gun replica, and a virtual door with a real doorknob. The idea, according to Nomadic chief executive Doug Griffin, is that such real objects can add a feeling of magic to virtual reality. The company demonstrates these capabilities with an Oculus Rift VR headset. Continue reading Bringing Modular Sets and Physical Objects to VR Experiences