I don't understand Twitch?

[Nograts]

So a friend of mine got me hooked on twitch recently, I have 2 monitors so it's not a big deal to stream someone playing and at the same time play your own game or the same game. What I am blown away about is...some of these streamers who have like 3k+ viewers?

Holy, sweet jesus, oh my god. Like. These dudes make 200+$ per hour. In tips. For playing video games. WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH SOCIETY.

I mean good for them, I'm not mad at them. If I could make money doing crap like that then, by all means, join me on my gaming binges. But to get paid for it...and have to entertain a crowd, where they tip. WTF!?

I guess I'm old, and I don't understand it...but good god all mighty, the things people waste their money on. Bleh. Anyways, /rant. If you guys want to tip me for wiping my ass I'll be @Elevenpog. Tips always appreciated. Good luck!

 

[mnewsham]

If I spend a good bit of time watching a stream I will subscribe to it, I figure like anything else it's part of my entertainment, I was entertained and it occupied my time, I should pay for it if I want to get more content like that and encourage others to create more content I will like.

I'm only subscribed to one stream right now, but I can see why people give money to streamers.

 

[sandorski]

It's a changing world. Just a new form of Entertainment, not too different from Street Busking in a way.

Speaking of Twitch Tips though, I have seen some people give Tips in the hundreds of dollars range. The great thing about Twitch is that Poor and Rich people watch it and sometimes a Rich person just really likes the Streamer's content.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I guess it's kind of like youtube in some ways. People like a certain personality and subscribe. I'll never personally pay anything to someone playing video games but if someone wants to spend their cash like that then have at it.

 

[datalink7]

Not just anyone can do that. Tons of terrible twitch streams out there that don't make jack. It requires something more than just playing video games. Have to have the right presentation or personality that people enjoy watching.

It's just a form of entertainment. It's like watching sports. Are you super surprised that people pay for cable to watch sports?

 

[Nhirlathothep]

i don t understan it, i can t figure out why pple pay em, but twitch is a good thing, not a bad thing.

if u re rich you can give em money, if u re not u can watch for free.



it s the horrible content i see there that is embarassing.I won' t comment it, it s disgusting, but i think tv is the about the same (i can only assume this, i don t watch tv from 20 years)

 

[mmntech]

Congrats Mr. Pogs. You're officially old. Welcome to the club. We meet in Olds' basement every Friday night.

Best thing I saw on Twitch is when they played Pokemon. Still can't believe they got out of Pallet Town, let alone beat the game.

 

[PrincessFrosty]

It's pretty easy to understand, some people have interesting personalities and have interesting things to say about games and so gain a fanbase who is interested in hearing that opinion and watching them play. It really started on youtube and live streaming over twitch is really just the next evolution of that.

 

[Red Storm]

It's pretty easy to understand, some people have interesting personalities and have interesting things to say about games and so gain a fanbase who is interested in hearing that opinion and watching them play. It really started on youtube and live streaming over twitch is really just the next evolution of that.

Yeah, even though I personally don't watch anything on Twitch (when I would watch Starcraft 2 videos, I preferred to watch post-edited videos on Youtube, not live streams), it's perfectly understandable why there is a market for it.

 

[tential]

People paid over $50 a month for Cable TV and look how much that sucked? I mean the internet makes sense paying for, but Cable TV is highly over priced for what you get.

For Twitch? People are paying to watch something they like and are supporting that content. Because if they don't, they'll have to watch something they DONT like. Some people prefer to watch a game of Dota, than an episode of how i met your mother.

I dont pay for Twitch, but I understand the appeal, and you do too apparently since you now watch it a LOT and are "hooked" on it.

 

[xantub]

It's a changing world. Just a new form of Entertainment, not too different from Street Busking in a way.

Speaking of Twitch Tips though, I have seen some people give Tips in the hundreds of dollars range. The great thing about Twitch is that Poor and Rich people watch it and sometimes a Rich person just really likes the Streamer's content.

I saw someone give a $1K tip last week.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Love twitch. Hoping to stream one day.

I've seen some massive tips even $1k+. I couldn't imagine getting that from a stranger. I've tipped $150 or so to random people. I usually try to find people in intense games(DayZ) and tip them right when they are in the thick of something to scare them. Some people have awesome tip alerts(message pops up on screen once they receive donation) and it scares the shit out of them sometimes

 

[Midwayman]

It's just a form of entertainment. It's like watching sports. Are you super surprised that people pay for cable to watch sports?

Surprised, no. However, I don't understand the appeal of paying for that either. I'd much rather play. Same deal with twitch. Its e-sport.

 

[Aikouka]

So a friend of mine got me hooked on twitch recently, I have 2 monitors so it's not a big deal to stream someone playing and at the same time play your own game or the same game. What I am blown away about is...some of these streamers who have like 3k+ viewers?

Holy, sweet jesus, oh my god. Like. These dudes make 200+$ per hour. In tips. For playing video games. WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH SOCIETY.

It's a misconception that their job is "to play video games". That's what they're seen doing, but their job is to entertain the people watching. Twitch streamers essentially form communities with their own little memes, and those communities generally support the streamer. Once the streamer is large enough, they'll get invited to some sort of team that usually has sponsors that provide monetary supplements and/or gaming-related gear (that you are usually required to use).

Now, while I get what Twitch is about, I do find the really high tips and pandering to the streamer to be... weird. In some sense, they've attained a mini-celebrity status. I've also seen others that are good at using people's narcissistic tendencies against them. For example, streamers that have tools to automatically read donation text on stream? They get money (there's usually a minimum donation amount required to read on stream) and the person gets their "voice" heard by thousands!

To note, I usually watch Hearthstone stuff on Twitch.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yeah, even though I personally don't watch anything on Twitch (when I would watch Starcraft 2 videos, I preferred to watch post-edited videos on Youtube, not live streams), it's perfectly understandable why there is a market for it.

Yes I too prefer edited content on YouTube over live streaming. I've only used twitch a few times.

 

[imaheadcase]

I watch twitch every day. I've donated a couple hundred last year. Its very good entertainment. I don't actually care for the chat, just the live unexpected events in games that happen.

Its also a great way to watch new games being played before you decide to buy them.

The top twitch streamer is a millionaire by the way. One guy makes over $1000 a HOUR with twitch.
Some people have got donations over $5k..one person got a $30k donation.

Twitch is no different than going someplace else and getting entertained.

I don't understand the appeal of gambling, why waste all the money, but people do..billions a year.

 

[SlitheryDee]

If you like something, you want to try and make sure it stays around. If a twitch streamer has to go get a day job to support themselves, that will definitely mean less streaming time and may mean the end of the stream altogether. I donate to my favorite streamers to try and do my part to make sure they stay around.

 

[Aikouka]

I watch twitch every day. I've donated a couple hundred last year. Its very good entertainment. I don't actually care for the chat, just the live unexpected events in games that happen.

I may watch and subscribe to channels, but I have a hard time justifying donating money. I don't mind doing it if they don't have a sub button yet, but if I wanted to donate say... $20, my mind would just say, "What else could I do with $20?"

Its also a great way to watch new games being played before you decide to buy them.

To be fair, YouTube usually works quite well for that too.

 

[ImpulsE69]

When you consider how PewPewDie is so popular and how annoying he is in his videos, it kinda blows out the 'entertaining personality' perspective.

 

[DigDog]

i've seen a girl get a $6000 (yes) tip for playing a video game. not even naked.

 

[Red Storm]

When you consider how PewPewDie is so popular and how annoying he is in his videos, it kinda blows out the 'entertaining personality' perspective.

The world isn't made to conform to my or your standard of what is or isn't entertaining. People have different tastes, and they get entertained by different things. That's the beauty of humanity, we're all similar but also very different in many ways.

What you see as annoying, someone else sees as hilarious and fun. This isn't something new that only came around with the Internet, it has existed for as long as entertainment in general has.

 

[SlitheryDee]

The world isn't made to conform to my or your standard of what is or isn't entertaining. People have different tastes, and they get entertained by different things. That's the beauty of humanity, we're all similar but also very different in many ways.



What you see as annoying, someone else sees as hilarious and fun. This isn't something new that only came around with the Internet, it has existed for as long as entertainment in general has.

True. If you want proof you need look no further than your parents and grandparent who probably think a good deal of what you find entertaining is valueless tripe.

 

[HumblePie]

The people that draw in the bigger crowds on twitch are just better at showmanship as well as being "top" or near it at what they do. No different than a youtuber or other social media spotlight outlet person making money through entertainment. Hell, not really different than a stage musician at your local bar getting paid money for their entertainment of others. The difference is just in the scale. Those that play to bars don't get paid as much as those that play to world tour concerts. Same with youtube and twitch entertainers.

The vast majority of those who stream on twitch do not have a huge following. Only a select few got lucky by various means. A combination of a bit of gaming skill, showmanship skill, being an early presenter, and just plain luck is what got them where they are. Seriously not a whole lot different than any other entertainer in the entire industry from movie stars, magicians, musicians, and book writers even.

 

[nakedfrog]

I still don't get why people would watch other people play video games, let alone pay to watch it. Rather just play a game myself.
(I don't watch any sports, either)

 

[Vivendi]

I still don't get why people would watch other people play video games, let alone pay to watch it. Rather just play a game myself.
(I don't watch any sports, either)

Why do people watch other people playing sports on tv?

I've watched a lot of starcraft 2 tournaments being streamed, it's entertainment for me, watching very highly skilled players play a game I like.
I also watch the educational hearthstone streamers sometimes.

And you don't HAVE to pay, donation or subscription is just a way of showing your support.