Interactive mediums have a much greater impact on media users than passive mediums by immersing the viewer, and using semiotics in a greater way.

I believe that interactive mediums, such as video games, have a much greater impact on media users than a passive medium, such as television. Interactive mediums allow the user to put themselves in a scenario that they could never reach without the interactivity. Television allows viewers to visually witness depictions of events and scenarios, but there is a connection that you don't get the full effect of with television. Using interactive media gives the user a personal connection to events that are happening. For example, television can explain what war is like, and can show footage of what war looks like, however people can't get the full effect of what war really is like. Video games that allow you to experience a war give you a much deeper understanding of what it is actually like. It still isn't an exact replication of what war is, but it is pretty close. Video games also allow users to enjoy the media. Some people don't like watching the news, they find it boring. Implementing news into an interactive source allows people, especially a younger demographic, to get in touch with what is occurring in the world.
Interactive and passive mediums both use semiotics to convey their message. I feel that interactive media has a broader and more effective use of semiotics rather than a passive medium. Video games allow symbols and signs to directly influence your interpretation of what is occurring. A passive media can only give you the signs, while video games make you interact with the signs first hand. Video games put you in particular scenarios and require you to act accordingly to events. In order to respond to what is happening, you must rely on your interpretation of symbols and signs to complete the task given to you. Several key themes of semiotics in video games are explained in-depth at http://bruchansky.name/exhibitions/the-semiotics-of-video-games/. This website was created by several people, which include a PhD student for semiotics, a person with a semiotics PhD., and a professor of philosophy. Themes such as empathy, narratology, immersion, and intelligibility in video games are all discussed.
Video games have the ability to submerse the user in a very deep and engaging way. They have the potential to give off a great amount of information in a fun way. I strongly believe that video games have a greater impact on media users than passive mediums.