Watching video games

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

So, is this a real form of entertainment? You're not playing.. you are watching someone else play. Maybe they are playing a game that you are okay at, but this person is better, and you are seeing what they are doing in areas you were never able to get to. Or they are playing an older game that you've never heard of.

So, do you enjoy watching someone else play. Is it as fun, or even more fun, than playing it?

 

[Kelthaz]

The entertainment isn't derived from the game. It's from the commentary by the player during the game. Essentially you're watching a comedian entertain you while playing a game.

Although, with that said, 99% of Let's Plays suck. Game Grumps is really popular, but I have no idea why.

 

[Joel_Kirk]

It depends.

If I'm curious about a game and don't feel strongly about buying it, I may go on Youtube and watch a player go though a few levels.

 

[FistyTristy]

Yes, it is. Some people go and watch a youtube video on how to pass a certain level for a game. Others go and watch them as if they were a TV show. They enjoy the video, the commentary, and the personalities behind them. There are many "Youtubers" with millions of fans watching them intently and who are making latinum left and right.

 

[Jono]

I've watch videos of people playing games for several reasons. There is the purely entertainment factor of seeing people doing funny or crazy things in the games I play. I'll watch people play betas of games I don't know much about, but sound interesting. I enjoy dev streams of a couple of games because I get to see what they have planned or to get a preview of new content. Then there's getting tips on how to do things in games like Minecraft and its major modpacks.

So it can be fun or informative.

 

[martok2112]

I had a room mate one time who had no use for playing video games, but enjoyed watching other people play them...in fact, he often contributed to the hilarity that might ensue.

Example: One time, I was playing Dino Crisis on my PlayStation (no bloody One, 2, 3, or 4...lol ). At one point in the game, when we first meet the T-Rex, my character was eaten shortly after entering the room. When I went back to that save point, and walked up to the door where I would meet T-Rex again, my room mate shouted "Shoot 'im now! Shoot 'im now!" (in the vein of Daffy Duck). I had to pause the game and put down the controller as my living room (I and my two roomies) erupted with laughter.

And I enjoy watching others play games....as long as they don't act like the punkasses you usually hear in online multiplayer games.

 

[Blamo]

Depends.

1. I want to re-experience an RPG or an action adventure game with a decent story, but don't have the time or drive to grind my way through it. In this case I REALLY don't want to hear commentary.

2. I've recently played a game I loved and want to see someone else enjoying it and make quips.

3. Be introduced to a game and have it demonstrated. This is infact how I got introduced to how awesome Oculus Rift and modern VR as a whole will be.

4. The final reason I watch a gameplay vid is as sport. Seriously, it becomes pretty evident when one player is more skilled than another and it's a joy to watch.

 

[SPCTRE]

I like to watch.



Wait, wrong forum.

 

[martok2112]

I like to watch.



Wait, wrong forum.

Giggity giggity giggity giggity!

 

[TheGodBen]

So, is watching sport a real form of entertainment? You're not playing.. you are watching someone else play. Maybe they are playing a sport that you are okay at, but this person is better, and you are seeing what they are doing in arenas you were never able to get to.

 

[RoJoHen]

I used to watch my younger brother play GTA3 (and Vice City) when we were younger. It was fun. He'd always hand the controller over to me if he got to a part that he couldn't beat.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

So, is watching sport a real form of entertainment? You're not playing.. you are watching someone else play. Maybe they are playing a sport that you are okay at, but this person is better, and you are seeing what they are doing in arenas you were never able to get to.

I would say that watching sports on TV is different than watching video games being played. Other wise, ESPN would have the EVGN as another channel.

I enjoy it sometimes.. but watchmaking someone do a first or third person game for over an hour bores me to tears

 

[SPCTRE]

So, is watching sport a real form of entertainment? You're not playing.. you are watching someone else play. Maybe they are playing a sport that you are okay at, but this person is better, and you are seeing what they are doing in arenas you were never able to get to.

/thread

 

[Owain Taggart]

I watch for different reasons. For example, I'll watch the DeadworkersParty play Minecraft to see what they're up to, given that gameplay experiences can be very different, and the different personalities make it entertaining to watch.

As far as Let's Plays go, I tend to look for a personality that makes it rewarding to watch. For example, I've been watching a particular LPer for awhile now who's currently in the process of playing Colonel's Bequest. He has a good voice and tends to be quite informational, and whenever he finishes a game, always gives his final impressions and the history the game has had when it was originally published. These are usually games that I don't particularly feel like replaying but enjoy the nostalgia.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Again, I believe watching video games is different than watching sports. There are no seasons, no stats, no elements of weather or athletic skill. Video game players don't have team logos, and kids can play them but there are no leagues for them to aspire to when they grow up.

It's totally different

 

[Reverend]

So, is watching sport a real form of entertainment? You're not playing.. you are watching someone else play. Maybe they are playing a sport that you are okay at, but this person is better, and you are seeing what they are doing in arenas you were never able to get to.

I would say that watching sports on TV is different than watching video games being played. Other wise, ESPN would have the EVGN as another channel.

I enjoy it sometimes.. but watchmaking someone do a first or third person game for over an hour bores me to tears

Watching people play Cricket, Snooker or Golf bores me to tears. Doesn't stop millions of others from enjoying it, or make it any less of a valid form of entertainment.

Indeed, all something needs to do to become such is to entertain people...which this clearly does. There are even people who make a living off of nothing but producing such content. That's more than you can say for most local football teams and they still draw a crowd.

Give it time. E-Sports in one form or another will become a mainstream thing within a generation. No question.

 

[Kelthaz]

Again, I believe watching video games is different than watching sports. There are no seasons, no stats, no elements of weather or athletic skill. Video game players don't have team logos, and kids can play them but there are no leagues for them to aspire to when they grow up.

It's totally different

The professional scene for StarCraft II meets all your requirements. Well, except for weather of course.

 

[Reverend]

How much of an effect does weather have on sports like Basketball, Ice Hockey and Water Polo I wonder...?

 

[TheGodBen]

I would say that watching sports on TV is different than watching video games being played.

I agree, watching sports is extremely tedious. It's just a bunch of sweaty men running around a field hitting a ball. Video games have dragons, and laser guns, and those cool wrist-blade things in Assassin's Creed. Way more fun to watch.

Other wise, ESPN would have the EVGN as another channel.

Why would anybody want to watch video games on an inferior medium? There's more variety for viewers on the internet, and greater interactivity. Twitch is a billion dollar industry now, and gods only know how much the gaming section on Youtube is worth.

To be clear, I'm not trying to make fun of you, I'm just trying to open your mind a little. We live in a society in which obsession with watching sports is considered a normal thing, and it's difficult for some people to realise just how absurd and downright stupid that whole endeavour is. Let's Plays and E-sports are new and look weird to those that aren't into them, but they're not really all that different from sports for the audience. In both cases you are watching other people play games. Some people watch for the competitive aspect, some for the strategic aspects, and some for the personality of the players.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

I didn't think of twitch. Good call.

I admit I've watched a lot of World of Tanks there