Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, losing count of the number of injured Lakers, attempting (again) to master rebuildable dripping atomizers, or cheesecloth, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
My friend Paul and I were talking about the popularity of videogame live streaming…and how we don’t get it. Since both of us are out of the target demographic (he’s Statler, I’m Waldorf), there’s a very real chance that it’s simply a generational thing that’s beyond our understanding. Hopefully, you guys and gals can help me understand why millions of people enjoy watching someone playing a single-player game, because I don’t see the appeal. Right now, I’m all Edwin Starr when it comes to live streaming: “What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.”
Where’s the fun in watching a person play through a single-player game? Wouldn’t you rather…oh, I dunno…play the game yourself? Do people use live streams to make purchasing decisions? That’s somewhat understandable. I could almost buy the argument that watching a live stream can give a gamer a more honest view of a game. However, I much rather read a review from a critic that I trust. That seems like a more efficient use of time.
It kind of bugs me that I feel like a crotchety old man that just doesn’t get it. That’s where you come in! Please help me understand the appeal of videogame live streaming in the context of single-player games. If you enjoy them, kindly list the reasons in the comments section. If you don’t, but understand why other people do, then please explain it to me. Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.
I think it is the evolution from sitting next to someone watching them play awaiting your turn. My friend is opening an internet and gaming cafe and one of the games he will load on every PC is Minecraft. Kids will sit next to one another and watch someone create or offer their own comments during the course of creation. It’s a social thing for them.
Another guy I know watched someone play the Walking Dead game from TellTale. He said it was like watching a long movie and loved it. That makes sense.
I thought of you during a conversation I had yesterday. A fairly large videogame publisher wanted to have a big event in NOLA, but it ended up being too expensive. It ended up happening in Miami for a much lower price. That seems nuts to me.
Takes $$ to grease palms here.
Wait… what?! Who is it? Where is it going to be? Why is it nuts? That’s friggn’ awesome.
(*Have you SEEN New Orleans?*)
-M
New Orleans is great looking dude. I was just in San Francisco and while the bay and mountains are nice…the architecture and such isn’t as nice. NOLA!!
Last time I was there (NOLA), it was kind of gloomy. Also, I got so drunk, I almost puked (which would have been a first for me). A lot of it was kind of a hazy blur. I do remember some cool stuff, but it was mostly like “I-can-never-come-back-here-and-do-those-things-I-think-I-did” kind of attitude. But I’m not going to bash your town, I’m just impartial to mine.
-M
It’s cool.
In Smartguy’s defense, there is no casino in Vegas based on the architecture (or anything about) Miami. However, my wife has bowling tournaments at the Orleans every year.
Yes, I am using Vegas casinos as a model for whether or not your city looks good or not.
… That’s… just awesome. Next time I’m in Vegas, I’m going to storm into the operation managers’ office of the Bellagio and say “Venice?! That piece of shit place is an open-air sewer! What you want is to model this place after Hialeah!” (Google it. No, on second thought, google: “only in Hialeah”)
-M
My kids watch people play Minecraft, Walking Dead, and something called Slenderman (wtf?). For Slenderman (wtf?) the person usually has another camera setup showing their reaction of being scared by Slenderman (wtf?).The past few months they seem to be watching games being played then actually playing games themselves.
They had those where I live, but they all got shut down for being fronts for online gambling operations.
I’m with you on this one. I didn’t know that was a thing these kids are doing today. I can see the benefits for review purposes or for a literal walk-through, but is it any different from watching a buddy play a single player game? Seeing as how we are the internet generation.
Ray I thought about this story today while at lunch today. I went to the Zurich Classic and noticed a lot of people were there by themselves watching guys play golf. I don’t think this is any different than watching single player video games. Lots of people watch golf. I don’t think this is new necessarily just video games instead of golf.
Do you mean they were watching guys just practice? Or were they watching the tournament? The latter I understand because it’s a competitive scenario. The former sounds insanely boring to me. Plus with golf galleries, there’s a sense of community unless you’re the only guy following the player. I’ve gone to Yankee games by myself, but I was never alone.