Jess Morrissette, a professor of political science at Marshall University, is undertaking a bizarrely captivating project that revolves around a well-worn and symbiotic partnership: video games and soda. Aptly entitled the 'Video Game Soda Machine Project,' Professor Morrissette is collecting hundreds of video game screenshots that contain fictional soda machines.
The impetus behind the project is nebulous. It's entirely unrelated to Jess Morrissette's work as a professor, and her website only says that "it seemed like a good idea at the time." Regardless of the reasoning, though, the project is fascinating to scroll through.
The video games included in the project span from small indie titles to massive blockbusters, united only by their incorporation of soda dispensers. The machines themselves need only to resemble real-life vending machines, with the fictional sodas displayed on them being part of the project's appeal.
Virtual Soda Machine Collections
Jess Morrissette's Project Screenshots Video Game Soda Machines
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Object Collections - As the trend of collecting virtual objects in video games continues to grow, opportunities arise for businesses to create platforms or services that facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of these items.
2. Nostalgia Marketing - The incorporation of familiar objects from popular media, such as soda machines from video games, can evoke feelings of nostalgia in consumers and be used as a marketing tool to connect with audiences on a personal level.
3. User-generated Content Curation - Projects like 'Video Game Soda Machine Project' demonstrate the potential for businesses to tap into user-generated content as a means of curating and showcasing a unique collection that both engages and entertains consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Video game developers can incorporate unique and collectible virtual objects into their games to increase engagement and provide new revenue streams through in-game purchases.
2. Marketing - Brands can use nostalgia marketing as a way to create emotional connections with consumers and differentiate themselves from competitors by incorporating familiar objects from popular media into their advertising campaigns.
3. Social Media - Platforms like Instagram or Pinterest can feature user-generated content collections that showcase unique and niche interests, providing both entertainment and inspiration for their users.