Streaming videos may not sound like the latest cutting-edge technology for most of us, but it is if it’s interactive video streaming. Today’s world isn’t just about streaming content and watching videos. There are now ways to interact in real time with the streaming videos and images that we see. This type of technology is becoming more and more prevalent, not to mention a game-changer for several industries. The use cases for interactive video streaming are growing, making now a good time to take a closer look at some of them.
Social Media Watch Parties
There is nothing new about people interacting on social media platforms during major sporting events or other important occasions. But interactive video technology has taken this to another level. Live streams and watch parties on social media can now be overlayed with social media posts and key information happening at the event. It takes the experience to another level, creating a bonafide watch party from within a social media platform for people who can’t be at the event or at an actual watch party.
Employee Recruitment
Businesses trying to hire new employees have started to utilize interactive video streaming to help them hire the right people. Some employers have used this technology to essentially create a first-player role-playing game that imitates what an employee at the company does. They can experience the workplace culture of a company while also making decisions within the interactive video based on what the stream is showing them. This type of interactive streaming can teach companies what type of employee a person will be while giving prospective employees a taste of what the job will be like to see if they’re a good fit.
Betting on Horse Races
Off-track betting on horse races has been around for a long time. The good news is that people no longer have to watch on grainy, 13-inch TVs anymore. In fact, live streams of horse races are being combined with social media channels to create a new experience for those betting on horse races away from the track. This creates a digital overlay of live odds and other pertinent information about the horse race during the live stream. Therefore, anyone betting on a horse race or considering a bet on a race has everything they need to know while also being able to watch the race as it unfolds.
Education
There has certainly been a need for interactive video education since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Fortunately, the technology for this is finally starting to come around. Educators are now able to put together video streams on any topic that enables students to interact with what they’re seeing. In fact, students are forced to pay attention and stay engaged to keep the video moving forward. This isn’t like a teacher putting on an educational video and hoping students pay attention. They are forced to interact with the video and absorb the information, making it an effective educational tool.
Online Casino Gaming
The world of online casinos is exploding with popularity, largely due to technological advancements. With interactive video streaming, it’s possible to play card games at an online casino using video streams of your cards being shown to you in real-time. These aren’t the low-quality graphics of a few years ago. These interactive video streams make players feel like they’re actually in a casino, making the experience of playing online blackjack or poker feel realistic.
Keep in mind these are real money casinos offering live deal games in a secure, online setting. They need to have top-notch technology to create a realistic experience for players.
User-Selected Camera Angles
Most live-streamed events have just one camera angle. Other times, the camera angle being shown is chosen by a director the same way a live television broadcast would. However, with interactive live streaming, users are finally getting a chance to choose their perspectives. Content providers, especially those broadcasting live sporting events, are giving viewers a choice of how to watch streams. Stats and other data are also being incorporated into the feed. But viewers can finally select their preferred camera angle or vantage point.
Esports Streams
For esports players and streamers, interactive video has been a game-changer. They can add tickers, scoreboards, and any other elements they want to the live stream while also enabling an overlay of comments and social media posts from viewers. All of this makes the livestream look more professional and helps viewer engagement, which has helped the world of esports to grow.
