Which media type is characterized as linear?

The media type characterized as linear is books. Linear media is experienced in a sequential manner, where the content flows in a specific, predetermined order from start to finish. In the case of books, readers engage with the narrative, ideas, or information in a straight path; they read one page after another, following the author's intended sequence without diverging or altering the order of the content.

In contrast, other options such as websites, video games, and virtual reality environments are often designed to be non-linear. Websites allow users to navigate through pages in any order they choose, often using hyperlinks to jump around based on their interests. Video games can provide different story paths and player choices that lead to various outcomes, enhancing interactivity. Likewise, virtual reality environments often allow users to explore scenarios at their own pace and direction, creating an immersive experience that does not follow a fixed sequence. Thus, books stand out as the only purely linear medium among the options given.