The explosion of Let's Play gamers on YouTube is no secret to anyone. Currently the most subscribed to channel on YouTube belongs to a Let's Play channel; they are well known and tremendously popular. I think it would be interesting to see if anyone could explore the question of why this is the case. What happened that made this genre of video uploaders so popular? Why are people so drawn to it, even though some don't play video games themselves? The answer could be simple, or it could be more complicated; I personally don't have enough knowledge on the topic to know. But regardless it's a question I find interesting, and haven't heard discussed often. I'm curious as to what others may think.
Looking at the personality of Let's Play producers/creators is a key factor I think. The top producers of Let's Play content stand out from others in terms of their acting behaviour/spin they put on it. The Angry Video Game Nerd or the Game Grumps use emotion to point out flaws in a game in a review style, while others like Rooster Teeth's Achievement Hunter simply play and illustrate points gamers can follow in their own playing or just sit and watch someone else play a game rather than buying it themselves. I think it's one of the biggest factors in which Let's Plays become more watched and why Let's Plays took off, games people wanted combined with not having to worry about wasting time playing themselves and guaranteeing enjoyment at the performance of another. Like the childhood experience (if like me you had older siblings) of watching your brother play games and cheering him on during the interesting parts. An adventure right at home. – smartstooge9 years ago
I think of it more as entertainment. A lot of these gamers are comedians and always crack jokes while playing. We might find humour in their failures, or just enjoy their commentary. The audience can play these games themselves, but it's more interesting to see a funny person play it. – YsabelGo9 years ago
I agree with the above commentators that Let's Play is a form of entertainment. I would even say it is a form of performing arts due to its entertainment-centric production. It would be interesting to see what are the criteria for the Let's Play to be widely entertaining, and what similarity they share with other form of performing arts, such as improvisation comedy. – idleric9 years ago
It's a great way to look at the gameplay before deciding to buy a game. I think that might be one reason people are watching these videos. – Sierra Throop9 years ago
I would like to see an article on whether or not web-based cartoons or shows like "Bee and Puppycat" and "Video Game High School" are successful, and if they will mean anything in terms of competition for TV cartoons and shows in the future as a result of their success/fanbase, etc.
By web-based do you mean just you-tube or sites like Crackle, Netflix and Rooster Teeth all who provide original content in some form or another? – Tyler McPherson10 years ago
I meant YouTube. Thank you for asking and allowing me to clarify. – BethanyS10 years ago
I'm not sure if this is going to be outdated, but a few weeks ago a new Twitter and Instagram trend has emerged, called the "Don't Judge Challenge." This consists of videos of teenagers with glasses, drawn on acne and uni brows making faces at a camera. It then transitions into beautiful, made-up girls with their hair and makeup perfect, and boys with pearly white teeth and their shirts off as music plays in the background. This challenge has quickly turned negative, as it is only doing the opposite of it's name. These teenagers, who appear to be flawless, are taking common and normal things- glasses, acne, and ungroomed eyebrows- and turning them into "ugly" and "undesirable" traits, which millions of teens struggle with and are insecure about. There have been many videos criticizing this challenge, which have generated millions of views across all social media platforms. This article/ topic can explore the challenge, why people are doing it, the backlash, and how it has spread negativity across the Internet.
I think that the time may have passed for an article based around this trend on its own, but a piece could perhaps discuss how web video culture naturally rejects those who may not be seen to adhere to typical aesthetic beauty and how this could be helped into the future, by using these videos simply as a major case study/example. – Matthew Sims9 years ago
Analyze this Pride and Prejudice adaptation, which was the first YouTube series to win a primetime Emmy. What made it click? This article could also look at the accompanying book: The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet.
Could go from the angle that theatre shows, films etc. often 'update' the original to modern times (think Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet as just one example). YouTube is a very modern platform, perhaps this has something to do with the success of an updated version of a classic? – Camille Brouard9 years ago
Youtube is a very unique video-sharing website. The mainstream media predominantly looks down on this specific platform, brushing it off as dense and invaluable. There are a great deal of stigmas due to concerns about the quality, credibility, and accessibility of Youtube which leaves us asking- does Youtube really deserve the reputation it has, or is there something of substance that most overlook?
The world of YouTube is quick growing power and virtual dimension with it being a platform free to all individuals. It not only allows you to converse with your viewership on a more personal level but shares a part of your life with them adding something unique to YouTube compared to movies and TV shows. It is definitely not only a big money mine but also something that has given birth to new trends, talents and creativity. Individuals learn from YouTube and are entertained at the same time. – Radhika10 years ago
The fact that people can now have an occupation being a full-time Youtuber just shows how important this platform is. These Youtubers have not only become micro celebrities, but also get paid to be flown to events. I think what makes Youtube interesting is that there is so much more content than traditional platforms, because you do not have broadcasters shutting down ideas. Everything is free game in Youtube, and it gives people an opportunity to either show their creativity, state their opinion, or just entertain an audience. – YsabelGo10 years ago
I kind of feel like a couple years ago this topic would have been more relevant. Youtube has really taken off and is a powerhouse of entertainment like Netflix. It's become so synonymous with internet videos that its impossible to ignore. Any music video is now on youtube, along with talk shows like Last week tonight. That stigma is kind of just lingering in the minds of people who refuse to change, and nothing is really going to change their perspective at all. Can youtube be taken seriously? Yes, it currently is being taken VERY seriously by thousands of content creators and people whose careers live and die off of their youtube channel. – Cojo10 years ago
YouTube is an incredibly powerful platform, also a business that is harder to break into at this point in time. YouTube has launched careers for a lot of its content creators, propelling them into an area of "stardom," if you will. Other media took notice of YouTube's power a while ago and there have been substantial changes to the way the site operates in the past few years. Shows are produced and uploaded specifically on YouTube now. Big-name film production companies offer many of their movies on the site for purchase and streaming. Until 2010-2011, YouTube users had to have a specific high number of views and subscribers to become a partnered member, but that is no longer the case; because of this, more and more people are joining, partnering and trying to kickstart their YouTube careers. I don't think it's an underestimated platform, but I do think that the impact it leaves on our society is something to look into. – Parisa10 years ago
A good idea regarding the impact the youtube has on todays society. – ehtisham10 years ago
Are there any examples of alternative news media online, and how does it reflect contemporary media on the internet?
Interesting to note is how news media online caters to a shortened attention span (I'm looking at you, Buzzfeed). Long blocks of text are no longer acceptable: things must be categorized and subdivided so the eye has something new to read. – Nicola10 years ago
