133 - On the Subject of Watching People Play Games 🎮👀
Hey there, !
Niche content once again - I was going to write this in defence of one of the things I do (watch games on YouTube - it’s like 98% of the content I watch) but found out recently that the person who told me about this now does it too so…I mean, this was written already so let’s just use it as writing practice?
1.
I watch games. A lot.
Gaming has always been popular for single player and multiplayer games (as I’ve outlined here), and it’s always been acknowledged that, though the devil may work through video games, a certain amount of skill is required to play, and it’s pretty apparent when you get continuously destroyed in Counter Strike because you suck at aiming (👀). In addition, with things like Minecraft that have become a metaverse of its own, there are eSport championships with big prize pools, worldwide global teams that have their own drama, and AI that tries to Moneyball the shit out of games.
Which is just like “real” sports.
And just like any sport, people like to watch other people play (usually, because they’re good, but as we’ll see, that may not be the most important thing any more). On platforms like YouTube and Twitch, many people around the world directly support creators to the tune of $5 USD per pop for a month of having a slightly more interesting experience (enhanced chat features or ability to interact with the streamer). A recent subathon of a streamer I follow on Twitter just got to 30k subs - that’s 150k that people around the world are paying specifically for this guys content!
A friend of mine used to ask why I watched games, rather than play them. The thrust of the argument was that playing games is much more fun because you’re the one making the decisions, impacting the game, exploring the world and enjoying the thrill of uncovering new parts of the story. In some new games, your choices lead you down a different path, to a different ending, and you can change all of that yourself. That part of agency is taken away when you’re watching someone else make the choice; it’s something that’s less interesting because you might want to have made a different choice.
A few top-level rebuttals include:
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It’s just like any other sport (so, you like to watch soccer but not necessarily play it that often);
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It’s a way to finish your day (so, it’s lower effort than actually playing the game); and
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it’s a way to join a community (so, you got friends, kinda).
That last point, I think, is really important. Most of us are digital natives who spent a lot of our time on our phones - the world online is just as important as the “real world” that we inhabit. Spending time in a place where you’re part of the jokes, you’re part of the community, and you can watch the same stuff together at the same time is really comforting. It’s kind of like the community of people that would have watched Neighbours or Home and Away and then turn up the next day at school to talk about it (not me, I was watching TVBJ and those chinese dramas were LIT).
2.
Contrary to what I’ve just written, though I see the value in content, I don’t have any subscriptions to YouTubers or streamers that I watch - I’m a stingy dude when it comes to paying for stuff on the Internet. I grew up when everything was FREE and sailed with the ships on the pirating sea. One day I’ll tell you about the extremely suspect circumstances in which we got bootleg DVD’s in Shenzhen. All that fun is gone now :D
The thing I’ve enjoyed on top of just watching someone play games is the banter and commentary that comes from an interesting person talking about funny stuff - like a radio show cross with a gamer stream. These variety streamers have to cultivate a skill of filling dead air for like 2 - 3 hours of time, and ensure that they’re able to keep the attention of their followers / chat. When they play with their friends as well, it’s kinda fun to be a voyeur of their interactions; seeing their chats interact, seeing how they interact, joke around, tell stories - it’s very wholesome (usually).
I value authenticity, and though you don’t necessarily get the full picture of a person when you’re watching them stream, the people who do decide to share a bit more about themselves makes it really fun to listen to. Maybe it’s my own version of reality TV, but it really just boils down to the personality of the person that’s most enjoyable. In addition, in recent times, they’ve become more wholesome and more willing to call out drama for drama’s sake (or maybe just on the corners of the internet I’m in).
Whether they’re good at the game is secondary to how they react to winning, or failure. That’s way more important - I don’t want to watch someone rage about a game for 2 hours straight - I want to see them have fun, no matter what! That’s what life is about for me - and it’s just kinda nicer when you get to spend time with someone who has a happier outlook on life.
All of this to essentially say - thankyou for continuing to read this newsletter. I appreciate you greatly <3
Chat soon :)
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✔️Real Life Recommendations - Hobart edition
Hobart trip was great, here are some recommends:
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Van Diemen’s Land Creamery - an ice cream store I found while in Hobart that sits on the dock / pier area - it is FANTASTIC. They have this multi-award winning Leatherwood Honey and Pepperberry icecream that is one of the most unique, delicious flavours I’ve ever had. It looks like a tourist trap but it’s so naturally flavorful and really native to Tasmania - love it!
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Cyclo - don’t know why, but I super did not expect this from Tassie (Hobart again) - it was top-notch Vietnamese food that would rival stores in Victoria St in Melbourne. The stock was so. freaking. good for the noodle soups (I had wonton noodles, but did try the pho as well) - rich in flavour and generous with the noodle and meat. Some of the best Vietnamese food I’ve had - will be going back when I go to Hobart!
🚌 Adventures on the Information Super-Highway
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This Japanese man does nothing for money — yet he’s in high demand - I really want to write a story about this / create a business for this. It’s insanely interesting the type of culture that is cropping up in Japan - and this story illuminates a world that is so different yet extremely understandable.
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Back Of Your Hand - a fascinating Geoguessr clone that gets you to try and guess the roads around your local area. Note: I found out I know none of the streets around me - or even in the city!
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Medical student surgically implants Bluetooth device into ear to cheat in final exam - honestly, the things people do…