I’ll never understand how Twitch became as big as a thing as it is.
"So you’re telling me that instead of watching a fifteen minutenicely edited video of content I can watch for hours of a greasy man in a tank top play a game for four hours and get fifteen minutes of good content in the time span? "(Literally) “Take my money!”
A stream is a very different format for content, but that doesn’t necessarily make it worse - only different.
As streams are live, anything could happen, so there’s the possibility for unexpected excitement and being a part of that as it happens
Live chat can make a stream feel social and connected with other viewers
Streams give you the ability to speak to the streamer and change the outcome of the stream
I think that the way people consume content has also changed. A lot of people watch streams “in the background” just as noise while they do other things, not in a way where they are giving the stream their 100% focus in the way you would with a short and well-edited video.
This is 100% me, I just commented elsewhere a similar thing, for me I love that the streams tend to be long. I like having things playing for long periods at a time so having to stop and find a new video every 10 minutes is maddening especially if I’m at work and it’s more like background noise about a topic/game I enjoy.
From my view, I enjoy watching Twitch for two main reasons:
For the same reason I like watching live sports rather than a 15 minute cut of highlights - the feeling of experiencing events in real time, the payoff of seeing a big play unfold after all the anticipation leading up to it, watching strategies and counter-strategies unfold in real time, that kind of stuff.
For the same reason I like watching video essays, stand-up comedy, interview shows, podcasts, or other media where one particular person is the focus - that person is entertaining to me. They have a personality I vibe with, they’re funny, they have an interesting perspective, etc.
To a lesser extent, it’s also nice background noise. I can throw a stream on at the beginning of my workday and not have to fiddle with it until I’m done with work, because it’s a constant, reliable source of background noise.
You can ask questions about the game and get a direct answer, often including someone showing you exactly the thing in the game you asked about.
Some streams are genuinely entertaining, such as GTA RP streams. These people mostly aren’t slobbering fat guys (though some are) but are actually working and acting the entire time.
As a genXer I don’t get it either. The model at the moment referenced here makes much more sense to me at least.
Not understanding twitch is a real marker of shifts in generational mindsets. I think I understand tech, but I wouldnt invest in tech sectors as I clearly don’t have the instinct for it anymore.
I always did this. I let my friends play and I watched. Dunno why really. I still find it extremely hard to play single player games (or solo multiplayer), I just get bored. I need to either watch or play with a friend.
I’ll never understand how Twitch became as big as a thing as it is.
You already answered that in your comment.
You want to watch videos, not livestreams. Of course a video will be better at being, you know, a video (nicely edited, in short format, etc). A livestream is different for many reasons, none of which interests you apparently.
Nothing wrong with that tbh. It’s just not for you.
I’ll never understand how Twitch became as big as a thing as it is.
"So you’re telling me that instead of watching a fifteen minutenicely edited video of content I can watch for hours of a greasy man in a tank top play a game for four hours and get fifteen minutes of good content in the time span? "(Literally) “Take my money!”
A stream is a very different format for content, but that doesn’t necessarily make it worse - only different.
I think that the way people consume content has also changed. A lot of people watch streams “in the background” just as noise while they do other things, not in a way where they are giving the stream their 100% focus in the way you would with a short and well-edited video.
This is 100% me, I just commented elsewhere a similar thing, for me I love that the streams tend to be long. I like having things playing for long periods at a time so having to stop and find a new video every 10 minutes is maddening especially if I’m at work and it’s more like background noise about a topic/game I enjoy.
From my view, I enjoy watching Twitch for two main reasons:
For the same reason I like watching live sports rather than a 15 minute cut of highlights - the feeling of experiencing events in real time, the payoff of seeing a big play unfold after all the anticipation leading up to it, watching strategies and counter-strategies unfold in real time, that kind of stuff.
For the same reason I like watching video essays, stand-up comedy, interview shows, podcasts, or other media where one particular person is the focus - that person is entertaining to me. They have a personality I vibe with, they’re funny, they have an interesting perspective, etc.
To a lesser extent, it’s also nice background noise. I can throw a stream on at the beginning of my workday and not have to fiddle with it until I’m done with work, because it’s a constant, reliable source of background noise.
15 minutes of good content in several hours? You might not be watching the best streams ngl.
What makes sense is two things:
You can ask questions about the game and get a direct answer, often including someone showing you exactly the thing in the game you asked about.
Some streams are genuinely entertaining, such as GTA RP streams. These people mostly aren’t slobbering fat guys (though some are) but are actually working and acting the entire time.
As a genXer I don’t get it either. The model at the moment referenced here makes much more sense to me at least. Not understanding twitch is a real marker of shifts in generational mindsets. I think I understand tech, but I wouldnt invest in tech sectors as I clearly don’t have the instinct for it anymore.
If my kids were unmonitored, they’d probably watch game streamers all day, every day.
I rationalize it like watching sports, but I don’t really understand that either.
When you were younger did you ever watch a sibling or a friend play a game? Same vibe, but it’s a streamer you find enjoyable or entertaining.
Does the streamer trick you into thinking you are controlling the enemies too?
My attention wanders if I’m not playing.
I totally understand that people might enjoy it, however. It just isn’t for me.
I always did this. I let my friends play and I watched. Dunno why really. I still find it extremely hard to play single player games (or solo multiplayer), I just get bored. I need to either watch or play with a friend.
We fought because we both wanted to play. My father ended up buying two game systems.
Watching someone play video games is straight up younger sibling energy. I don’t get it at all, but I was the older brother.
Seems like a lot of them aren’t greasy men in tank tops.
You already answered that in your comment.
You want to watch videos, not livestreams. Of course a video will be better at being, you know, a video (nicely edited, in short format, etc). A livestream is different for many reasons, none of which interests you apparently.
Nothing wrong with that tbh. It’s just not for you.
Never understood concert goers.
So you’re telling me that instead of listening to 4 minutes of edited music you can watch an old fart on stage for four hours?
(Not even a twitch head by the way)