That's what I think about it as well. I don't mind watching game videos but I don't care to watch someone else play the game. I want to experience the surprises and such for myself.
watching people play games.. the ultimate in Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I only watch "Let's Play" videos when I want to learn more about how to play some strategy games I own such as Distant Worlds, Europa Universalis, or Galactic Civilizations. There are some games where the learning curve is such that these videos become very useful. Games that almost require professional training to play kinda intrigue me.
That said, I'd never watch it for a story based game.
That would be more like a visual strategy guide then wouldn't it? I use those sometimes for stuff I just get stumped on and text based guides don't give me enough detail.
I'm supportive of developers who are supportive of Let's Play content. Nintendo specifically has been annoying because of their rabid DMCA claims. They aren't the only developer that does this but they are one of more notorious.
watching people play games.. the ultimate in Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
People only started sitting for long periods of time when video games came out. Mozart wrote his symphonies while jogging.
Let's Play works infinitely better for my purposes in smaller chunks. Most of the time I'm just looking for a video of how to get past a specific part of a game I'm working on (like Bloodborne bosses). I'd rather the videos be divided up into shorter chunks with helpful labels for me to search, than click a link for a f-ing Bloodborne marathon video and try to scan to the part I'm interested in...
Lets plays are different than walkthrough or guides. I watch lets plays when I'm interested in the premise of game but not enough to play it. Guides and walkthroughs should be smaller and focused.
Mozart also died at 35, like many people back then. These days it's more likely that we'll live long enough to witness the consequences of sitting too much.
Really, are you going to try and pretend that the kind of inactivity a lot of us gamers partake in is not detrimental to our health?
I find them rather useful if I'm on the fence about a game. It's one thing to read a review or listen to the comments of someone who really likes it and other to be able to watch what the game play is like.
Some of the people who make them are really off-putting though, either because of their personality or some other reason such as grating voice and non-stop talking.
There are a few that are worth watching all the way through. Several years ago I recall watching one of an old Jurassic Park game that was really hyped but flopped that went into a lot of depth about the games weird mechanics, and other history/information about the game that was really interesting.
The game you are thinking of is Trespasser. Featuring keys for closing your hand, rotating your arm, and other such awkward controls. Kinda like Surgeon Simulator, except your characters life is at stake.