The influence of Western culture has increased in many countries in the Middle East because of globalization. This phenomenon is being promoted by the media in which people consume daily, be it radio, newspaper, or TV. Although at its core globalization tries to increase interactions between various countries and markets, it is also putting in focus the cultural identities of others.Â
The issue with this phenomenon when it comes to entertainment is that it is normally Western media and trends that are being promoted to the Middle East and usually not vice versa. The West has changed industries such as film, music, and television, while also bringing over completely new forms of entertainment. Here are a few examples of those industries.
Online Casinos
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Western culture has not only had an impact on existing forms of entertainment, such as films and video games, it has also brought over new ones. The most notable entertainment industry that is spreading in the Middle East is online gambling. All types of gambling are now available online, from easy and fun games like the spin and win live game and slot machines, to classic card games, like poker and blackjack. These advancements are only possible due to the strides technology has made recently.
With the world embracing the latest developments in technology, various regions have also become more open to new ideas. To keep up with this new trend, many software developers that are based in the Middle East have started licensing their games to websites from other countries.
Films and TV
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Hollywood films, together with popular American TV programs, are widespread across the Middle East. This industry promotes the Western standards of beauty, as well as foreign trends, which may influence local cultures and values. Although it has been studied and proven that most people across the region still prefer to watch films that reflect their own culture, the impact of Westernization is becoming more and more visible.
The role of television is to presumably integrate all cultures and expose viewers to new ones. Therefore, plenty of Western-style format programs have been broadcasted and have become very popular amongst Arab viewers. Some of those, including MBC’s Who Will Win the Million? has even been ranked as number one by audience polls, despite them being against the region’s cultural values and norms.
Video Games
Source: Pixabay
The most obvious impact video games have had on the Middle East is the use of language, since almost all of them are developed in English. Although this form of entertainment is not as popular as others, those that consume it, do it frequently. According to a study, gamers are also more likely to see the benefits of being exposed to various cultures.
They believe that for Arab countries to become more innovative and to produce higher quality content, there need to be fewer restrictions when it comes to creative purposes. There has been, however, growth in the gaming market, such as with online casinos, for this region, and in the future, it is expected to witness a boom. Many game developers recognize the potential and see the Middle East as a huge development opportunity.