DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Youtube (or Twitch)

I wanted to start a conversation on a relatively trivial matter and see what people thought. While I'm specifically asking as a parent of a toddler, the subject extends further out than that.

What are peoples' thoughts/opinions on the videos/streams where you're watching someone else play a game?

So I introduced my son (3-year old) to the Youtube rabbit-hole. Probably wasn't the greatest idea, but nobody bats 1.000. He loves trucks and heavy equipment, and there are some channels that put out good videos on the subject that he likes to watch and even some songs and stuff. Thing is, he likes to scroll through the related videos and he seems to prefer videos of kids playing with toy trucks.

For me, I can't get my head around watching a video of someone else playing a game. It's the same thing as Twitch, where people log in and watch video of someone playing a video game (many times, a game that they own). I grew up in a weird in-between time where I can remember before there were cell phones and internet and such, but born early enough that I was 'there' for cell phones growing into smartphones and the start of the internet and its own evolution. So while it's hard for me to imagine life nowadays without smartphones and internet and such, I can also put on my grumpy-old-man-hat about certain aspects of the internet and technology.

Thoughts?

I watch some when I am looking for information on a game. Like gameplay to see if I want to purchase it, or if I own it and am stuck and need some tips. But those tend to be there own type of videos, not so much "gameplay" as much as "Top 10 tips when playing XXXXXXX" type videos.

I have friends who have younger children who spend hours just watching others play video games, I liken it to that idea that sometimes you watch to see what you can't do yourself, to see things you may not see in your gameplay.

While it's not my thing, I don't really have an issue with it.

Now time spent doing such things especially at a family gathering is a different issue. My nieces sit in my living room watching their phones the whole time everyone is over for the holidays, the rest of us are sitting out back by the pool, or swimming, or playing cornhole. They used to swim a lot when they'de come over, but the last year or so not as much.

I would not encouragae a toddler to watch videos of kids playing with trucks when playing with their own trucks makes more sense.

Yeah, I definitely don't encourage it and even switch it away and tell him he could do what's in the video himself. I'm just wondering if it's that big of a deal.

I basically stopped playing video games when I got married... if I was still playing I could see watching a video of someone playing to get tips or figure it out... I use to read books or articles on how to play games when I was younger... so I get why kids enjoy watching them.... I just can't get into them...

Youtube is typically pre-recorded material that typically fall into 3 areas:
1. guide on particular piece of content
2. Informational, recapping or providing more detail on announcements made for a game
3. A discussion point on a particular topic.

Twitch is live gameplay where the player interacts with the audience. I don't get into it too much myself. Honestly, it's not all that different from watching sports. It's also a place to network. To find other people to play a game with or just discuss a particular game.

Like all things, moderation is key.

Ha! I never thought of it that way.

I use Twitch to see new games. I can't watch for more than 20-30 minutes though.

People do use Twitch for other things too. One of my favorite bands has a channel, and some of the members have used it to do dj sessions live, which was great during the pandemic.

Also Big Cat from barstool using it to play full seasons of NCAA was fun and hilarious.

I wish i could get paid to play video games, beats the crap out of what I do now

Probably not all that different than some people around here watching their porn.

yeah I had someone once explain it to me like that... or adults watching HGTV

I still don't understand watching video games but won't get on those who do...

I know it’s a huge fad for gamers/sports fans to watch another person play and/or simulate game outcomes. Heck, i even know a lot of Browns fans who are into it for our team