I’ve watched some here and there, but having to try to catch them when they stream has put me too much in the mind of old tv and catching shows when they air. Watching the recording afterward is maybe good for some white noise, but it’s clearly not the intended experience I think.
Lots of people watch live sports, reality TV, talk shows. It’s just an extension of that genre depending on what type of streamer you’re in to.
Lots of people don’t care for that stuff, sounds like you’re in the second group.
Lots of people watch live sports, reality TV, talk shows.
Oh, maybe that explains why I don’t like streamers. I don’t like any of those things.
I like some sports, but can’t stand game streamers. Athletes train for years to become the best in their sport/position/etc, streamers are usually mediocre at the games at best. I rather just play the game myself. Much more of a personality cult around streamers, and I have no interest in.
But well, people are different. If some people enjoy it, go ahead just explaining from another point of view why I don’t like it
The most popular streamers aren’t popular because they are good at games, it’s because they are entertaining. The game might be used to draw people in, but it’s not really about the game itself.
I would say watching sports is about the game. No one is watching NFL because Madden was casting it (I know he’s gone, but I don’t know any famous sports casters/commentators).
The most popular streamers aren’t popular because they are good at games, it’s because they are entertaining.
Exactly, that is my point. I just don’t think they are entertaining though, which is fine. There are lot of tv shows and movies I don’t like either.
Not sure what you mean with commentators. But even if I don’t particularly enjoy a certain sport, I can see if someone is talented at it and appreciate their effort they put into it. But most likely I still won’t watch much of it. There is so much content, I see no point in seeing anything I don’t enjoy.
I don’t like any of those things but I LOVE watching Twitch. The ability to have your chats read, watch something you like eg gaming and have someone ramble on about whatever is a fun experience for me.
I was a pretty heavy Twitch user for a while, even streamed for a couple years myself. The biggest draw for me was the community. Most of the time I couldn’t care less what the person was playing, I was there to interact with them and their communities. It was about the only social/entertainment outlet I had at the time.
Background noise. Also, I can’t do the cool shit that they do.
I don’t personally, but I’ve read that the appeal is that sometimes you want to play a game, and sometimes you want to watch television, and sometimes you don’t want to do either but vaguely want an experience that’s halfway between the two (i.e. watching someone else play a game).
Also, you can’t interact with a host on your tv. You can on streams.
And sometimes you’re stoned and watch streamers thinking its a movie (yes that happened, once tho :))
I think parasocial relationships are a big part of it
Yup, this is a huge part of the draw. People like to feel like they’re in the same social circle and class as their favorite streamers
For the most part, they probably are. It’s just the top ~5% that are actually making decent money from it.
Though, I’ve noticed that already having money and comfort is the starting point for some streamers. Because they have the luxury of being able to do whatever they want without consequence.
10 years ago I was like “why tf would I want to watch someone play a video game when I could just play it myself?”
Now I’m like “why tf would I play this game when I could just watch someone else?”
I guess I’m still interested in what’s going on in gaming in general, but I don’t have any desire to go through all the bullshit of a modern AAA game with a huge repetitive open world, dozens of half assed shallow mechanics (rpg/perk system, loot, crafting etc.), homogenized design, predatory DLC/mtx, and all that. I’d rather play Factorio and watch a streamer play whatever hot new game people are into.
This is another huge aspect of why I watch streamers. I love games, but some just aren’t for me. It’s great to get to experience something I normally wouldn’t with a community hyping it up and what not. Great point.
I like their personalities and their commentary.
https://moonpiedumplings.github.io/blog/twitch/
I like to watch people program on twitch. Seeing people suffer with code reminds me that I am not alone.
I legitimately never understood the draw of watching sports, on any level, until I watched people playing hard video games and was fascinated by checking out what they could do and got to share in their vicarious enjoyment of their accomplishment when they overcame.
I was like oh, I get it. That’s why people watch football. Makes sense now.
So you share the sense of pride and accomplishment!
Watching the recording afterward is maybe good for some white noise, but it’s clearly not the intended experience I think.
Same reason why you might DVR a TV show, to watch it later when you get home.
