YouTube celebrities and eSports

[wizards8507]

I've been reading a bit about these topics and they're absolutely fascinating to me, mostly because I don't understand them. I don't know if it's simply a product of the information age, but I never thought I'd be 25 years old and already out of touch with "what the kids are doing" (not that I'm terribly upset about it). Words like "Smosh" are completely foreign to me, and I'm only familiar with Maker Studios because they were purchased by Disney. ESPN The Magazine just did an eSports issue so I figured I'd throw this out there and see what people think of YouTube celebrities, eSports, the intersection of the two, and whether it means we're doomed as a society.

PewDiePie on how he became King of YouTube

 

[ACamp1900]

I totally gave up keeping up with pop culture or the youth... when I do get tuned into anything that is 'in' I find I feel I'm being joked with because it's so unbelievably stupid it's hard for me to grasp how anyone could take it serious.

 

[IrishInFl]

I love YouTube. It gives people a big platform to create entertainment without having to go through network execs and advertisers for approval. YouTube celebrities have real dialogues with their fans, and just seem more appreciative. I've been talking with one (Wreckless Eating) for years before they got as many subscribers as they do. Our good friend Curtis Candy is a YouTube with over 20,000 subscribers.

YouTuber's can also become make impacts in the real world. One YouTuber (I forgot her name) now has a multi-million dollar makeup company because of her humble beginnings of making videos of how to use makeup. PewDiePie has raised over $1,000,000 for charities. L.A. Beast even managed to convince Pepsi to bring back Crystal Pepsi.

 

[PANDFAN]

DUDE PERFECT

 

[wizards8507]

I love YouTube. It gives people a big platform to create entertainment without having to go through network execs and advertisers for approval. YouTube celebrities have real dialogues with their fans, and just seem more appreciative. I've been talking with one (Wreckless Eating) for years before they got as many subscribers as they do. Our good friend Curtis Candy is a YouTube with over 20,000 subscribers.

YouTuber's can also become make impacts in the real world. One YouTuber (I forgot her name) now has a multi-million dollar makeup company because of her humble beginnings of making videos of how to use makeup. PewDiePie has raised over $1,000,000 for charities. L.A. Beast even managed to convince Pepsi to bring back Crystal Pepsi.

I don't doubt the supply side of the market, it's the demand side that puzzles me. If people wanted to pay me thousands of dollars to talk about ND football on a webcam, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just don't know why anyone would want to (yeah, I know nobody does, but you get my point).

 

[IrishLax]

I don't doubt the supply side of the market, it's the demand side that puzzles me. If people wanted to pay me thousands of dollars to talk about ND football on a webcam, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just don't know why anyone would want to (yeah, I know nobody does, but you get my point).

The bolded could not be more true. I simply do not get it. I don't understand how there are consumers for the product.

 

[tussin]

I personally think Twitch is a genius idea and perfectly executed. From my experience, anyone that loves video games also loves hanging out with their friends and watching them play video games. Video games at their best are completely immersive, even if you aren't playing.

 

[GATTACA!]

I personally think Twitch is a genius idea and perfectly executed. From my experience, anyone that loves video games also loves hanging out with their friends and watching them play video games. Video games at their best are completely immersive, even if you aren't playing.

Its the perfect mix when you introduce a massively popular competitive game like LoL. Imagine getting to interact directly with Peyton Manning or any other NFL superstar as they play a pickup game. Thats essentially what Twitch is offering. You get to watch and interact with the best esports players in the world for free.

 

[NDohio]

Its the perfect mix when you introduce a massively popular competitive game like LoL. Imagine getting to interact directly with Peyton Manning or any other NFL superstar as they play a pickup game. Thats essentially what Twitch is offering. You get to watch and interact with the best esports players in the world for free.

So you go to a website and watch other people(that are really good) play a video game? Is the purpose of the site?

 

[wizards8507]

From my experience, anyone that loves video games also loves hanging out with their friends and watching them play video games.

But the operative word there is "friends." I can relate because I'd hang out in friends' dorm rooms watching people play Grand Theft Auto but I couldn't imagine doing it with a stranger.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

 

[ACamp1900]

... but I couldn't imagine doing it with a stranger.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

Often times, that's the best way to do it....

 

[greyhammer90]

I don't doubt the supply side of the market, it's the demand side that puzzles me. If people wanted to pay me thousands of dollars to talk about ND football on a webcam, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just don't know why anyone would want to (yeah, I know nobody does, but you get my point).

People watch what's entertaining. Even if it's not your cup of tea I don't think you're giving the people who make a living doing this sort of thing enough credit. There are millions of people who try every day to start a money-making channel and fail. The one's who do usually have something to say or hit a chord with an audience.

I'm not a fan of Pewdepie (sp?) but I know I'm not his target audience. His audience is middle school boys who laugh at Adam Sandler movies and watch First Take. (I don't say that in a bad way, that's a valid audience and I probably would think he was hilarious if I was in 6th grade.)

I am a huge gamer though, so channels like:

Extra Credits
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERR1F-zoTVg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Matthew Mitosis:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UScsme8didI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

and SuperBunnyHop
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iMK-kajdgMA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

are all great for me and I watch them extremely regularly. For movie reviews the RedLetterMedia guys are my go to, and for tech reviews I look to Marques Brownlee. Do you like interesting facts about linguistics? Check out Tom Scott. And that's just scratching the surface of my Youtube subscriptions.

All in all, Youtube is like any other form of extremely popular entertainment. It can be as dumb or as smart as you want it to be.

 

[greyhammer90]

The bolded could not be more true. I simply do not get it. I don't understand how there are consumers for the product.

There would be many people who would be baffled at why anyone would ever want to spend 365 days a year discussing a 3 month long amateur sport with a bunch of online strangers.

The answer is because it's fun for you. It's the same answer for them.

 

[NDPhilly]

BroScienceLife is the only YouTube channel you need.

 

[greyhammer90]

BroScienceLife is the only YouTube channel you need.

Do you even lift?

 

[ulukinatme]

Surprisingly I know who Smosh is and I'm subscribed. That's probably not right given the fact I'm 33, but I do like the gaming related stuff they do, some of it's pretty funny.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mO1QBTG6EXs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-xiNaTXZV8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dshans]

But the operative word there is "friends." I can relate because I'd hang out in friends' dorm rooms watching people play Grand Theft Auto ...

Amazing (ain't it a kick in the teeth) how things change. On late night study binges I'd take a break, wander the halls, and sit in the peanut gallery on impromptu Bridge games.

After a while the guys got tired of my incessant questions and commanded that I learn the game and sit in on a rubber or two to gain entry. Four players, no controllers. No console or video screen.

It was immersive and addictive.

 

[ulukinatme]

GameSocietyPimps are the guys I usually watch play video games. They're the same guys that created Chad Vader on Youtube.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s3bjhmLAm2Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They do a lot of other "Lets Play" series on Youtube including Fallout, GTA V, 7 Days to Die, and they have a new one just for ACamp with Red Dead Redemption.

 

[wizards8507]

People watch what's entertaining. Even if it's not your cup of tea I don't think you're giving the people who make a living doing this sort of thing enough credit. There are millions of people who try every day to start a money-making channel and fail. The one's who do usually have something to say or hit a chord with an audience.

I'm not a fan of Pewdepie (sp?) but I know I'm not his target audience. His audience is middle school boys who laugh at Adam Sandler movies and watch First Take. (I don't say that in a bad way, that's a valid audience and I probably would think he was hilarious if I was in 6th grade.)

I am a huge gamer though, so channels like:

Extra Credits
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERR1F-zoTVg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Matthew Mitosis:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UScsme8didI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

and SuperBunnyHop
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iMK-kajdgMA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

are all great for me and I watch them extremely regularly. For movie reviews the RedLetterMedia guys are my go to, and for tech reviews I look to Marques Brownlee. Do you like interesting facts about linguistics? Check out Tom Scott. And that's just scratching the surface of my Youtube subscriptions.

All in all, Youtube is like any other form of extremely popular entertainment. It can be as dumb or as smart as you want it to be.

I don't know, maybe the celebrity aspect is the part I don't understand. I get the content part. I enjoy Honest Trailers and Movie Fights from ScreenJunkies, but I wouldn't stand in line for hours at a convention to get the dude's autograph.

Amazing (ain't it a kick in the teeth) how things change. On late night study binges I'd take a break, wander the halls, and sit in the peanut gallery on impromptu Bridge games.

After a while the guys got tired of my incessant questions and commanded that I learn the game and sit in on a rubber or two to gain entry. Four players, no controllers. No console or video screen.

It was immersive and addictive.

Super Smash Brothers and Rock Band 2. God's gift to man's dorms.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

 

[ACamp1900]

Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Soul Caliber were the big dorm room games in my day

 

[IrishLax]

There would be many people who would be baffled at why anyone would ever want to spend 365 days a year discussing a 3 month long amateur sport with a bunch of online strangers.

The answer is because it's fun for you. It's the same answer for them.

That's not the point. WHY is it fun for them?

I can easily define the reasons why I like posting on here.

I cannot understand why someone would rather watch someone play a game and comment on it than play it themselves.

 

[greyhammer90]

That's not the point. WHY is it fun for them?

I can easily define the reasons why I like posting on here.

I cannot understand why someone would rather watch someone play a game and comment on it than play it themselves.

(1a) Don't have the money to purchase the game
(1b) Don't have the computer specs/console necessary to play the game
(2) Enjoy the commentary because oftentimes the people who play it are entertaining (some of them are practically stand-up comedians and the game isn't really the focus of the stream)
(3) Can't play the game because they are currently doing their taxes/homework/housework but want to watch something they're interested in
(4) Enjoy the commenting community. They all meet up at the same time and talk about shit.
(5) Seeing people who play something like Hearthstone or Starcraft or anything at an extremely high level so that they can understand the meta-game better or just marvel at the skillz.
(6) (This one is from my personal experience) sometimes you just come home from work and there's nothing on TV, and you're mentally spent, and you don't want to actually get into a competitive mindset to play Madden/Hearthstone/Total War, but you want to watch a football game/card game/battle.
(7) Want to see how the game really plays before laying down $60 for it.

 

[wizards8507]

I can easily define the reasons why I like posting on here.

Because of me, right?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk.

 

[Rack Em]

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

 

[TheRealLynch51]

(1a) Don't have the money to purchase the game
(1b) Don't have the computer specs/console necessary to play the game
(2) Enjoy the commentary because oftentimes the people who play it are entertaining (some of them are practically stand-up comedians and the game isn't really the focus of the stream)
(3) Can't play the game because they are currently doing their taxes/homework/housework but want to watch something they're interested in
(4) Enjoy the commenting community. They all meet up at the same time and talk about shit.
(5) Seeing people who play something like Hearthstone or Starcraft or anything at an extremely high level so that they can understand the meta-game better or just marvel at the skillz.
(6) (This one is from my personal experience) sometimes you just come home from work and there's nothing on TV, and you're mentally spent, and you don't want to actually get into a competitive mindset to play Madden/Hearthstone/Total War, but you want to watch a football game/card game/battle.
(7) Want to see how the game really plays before laying down $60 for it.

This is a great list, and I especially agree with points 6 and 7. It's just mindless and easy to watch. And since game demos seem to be few and far between anymore, it's the best way to figure if you want to buy a game with (usually) an unbiased opinion.

Edit: I'm talking about twitch.

 

[IrishLax]

This is a great list, and I especially agree with points 6 and 7. It's just mindless and easy to watch. And since game demos seem to be few and far between anymore, it's the best way to figure if you want to buy a game with (usually) an unbiased opinion.

Edit: I'm talking about twitch.

5 through 7 all make sense to me. I mean, for stuff like Clash of Clans I watched videos for strategy. And I saw eSports on ESPN the other day and it looked watchable. I get all that. Watching people perform at the highest level in competition for entertainment makes sense.

What I don't understand are points 1 though 4. Watching someone else play a game on Youtube because you can't afford a (good enough) computer doesn't make sense. And the most popular games for viewing are all free to play, so while 1a doesn't apply at all to the majority of what we're talking.

3 doesn't really make sense because then you're not talking about the merits of watching it... you're talking about the product as background noise you don't have to pay attention to. Saying "people watch it because they don't have to watch it" isn't really answering the question.

4 and 2 are the ones I just think are so stupid. Games are meant to be played. If all they are is a conversation piece that seems like a waste. It's not like a football game where people get together to watch/discuss because they physically can't be out there playing in the NFL... I have younger cousins that all things being equal actually prefer to watch someone play LoL than play it themselves... and they're not really in a minority. That's the part I'm saying I don't understand. I don't understand WHY there is a huge group of younger people that would rather watch someone else play a game than do it themselves. Not one has been able to explain it to me besides "I just like watching more than playing"... is it because of a fear of losing or something?

 

[MNIrishman]

5 through 7 all make sense to me. I mean, for stuff like Clash of Clans I watched videos for strategy. And I saw eSports on ESPN the other day and it looked watchable. I get all that. Watching people perform at the highest level in competition for entertainment makes sense.

What I don't understand are points 1 though 4. Watching someone else play a game on Youtube because you can't afford a (good enough) computer doesn't make sense. And the most popular games for viewing are all free to play, so while 1a doesn't apply at all to the majority of what we're talking.

3 doesn't really make sense because then you're not talking about the merits of watching it... you're talking about the product as background noise you don't have to pay attention to. Saying "people watch it because they don't have to watch it" isn't really answering the question.

4 and 2 are the ones I just think are so stupid. Games are meant to be played. If all they are is a conversation piece that seems like a waste. It's not like a football game where people get together to watch/discuss because they physically can't be out there playing in the NFL... I have younger cousins that all things being equal actually prefer to watch someone play LoL than play it themselves... and they're not really in a minority. That's the part I'm saying I don't understand. I don't understand WHY there is a huge group of younger people that would rather watch someone else play a game than do it themselves. Not one has been able to explain it to me besides "I just like watching more than playing"... is it because of a fear of losing or something?

I've never played football in my life but love watching it. Does my fandom make sense to you?

 

[NDPhilly]

I used to watch other people game online. Then I decided not to be a faggot and watch sports instead.

 

[MNIrishman]

I used to watch other people game online. Then I decided not to be a faggot and watch sports instead.

I'm not sure why you can't do both. It's a pretty simple process:

1) You think an activity is interesting.
2) You decide to watch people who are very, very good at that activity do it.

I play an instrument and like going to the orchestra. I know people who enjoy driving who watch Formula 1. There are professional chess players because people like watching people play high level chess. My friend played tennis in high school and watches tennis matches on TV, even though I find tennis an interminable sport to watch. Same thing for my grandfather and golf. I'm not sure I understand where the logical disconnect is coming from just because the activity is "video games" instead of [insert sport here].

 

[IrishLax]

I've never played football in my life but love watching it. Does my fandom make sense to you?

Yes. For the reason I said above.

Why do people watch the Master's on TV? Because there are barriers to them playing in it... and it's people playing the game at it's highest level... and etc. etc. etc.

But all things being equal with no barrier to participation, given the option of playing a round of golf on a given course... or watching some amateur dude play the course talk about how he's playing and then discussing the amateur dude playing a round of golf with other people who opted to watch him play golf rather than playing themselves... I do not understand how anyone thinks the latter is a superior/more enjoyable option.

And that's what I don't get. This movement has MASS APPEAL. There are thousands upon thousands of people who would rather watch a guy they don't know who isn't a superior talent play through a game than play it themselves with their friends. Seems ridiculous.