What the actual **** is the deal with the streamer culture?

[Wilfire]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a game that you could be playing yourself. But anyway I finally caved in and decided to watch a couple of streams that seemed "fun".

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS THIS?

There are people in the chat who are actually UNIRONICALLY chatting with the streamers like they're their friends?

The streamer is NOT your friend. You're just a source of $$$ to them. They're not mentioning your name or laughing at your "clever comments" because they like you. They want you to subscribe and donate.

This is like a more cringe-y version of camgirls. Just like those greasy old farts who think they'll have a chance with a camgirl by throwing $$$ at her, stream viewers think they'll... somehow become friends with the streamer by throwing $$$ at them?

If you want friends, just play the damn game and talk to people. That's a way faster and more genuine way to make friends on-line.

[Katie N]

What are you talking about?

I watch travel streamers because it's enjoyable. Not because I think they are my friend.

[ParanoiD84]

Only streamer I watch is the two time. The best of the best.

[Lochton]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a game that you could be playing yourself. But anyway I finally caved in and decided to watch a couple of streams that seemed "fun".

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS THIS?

There are people in the chat who are actually UNIRONICALLY chatting with the streamers like they're their friends?

The streamer is NOT your friend. You're just a source of $$$ to them. They're not mentioning your name or laughing at your "clever comments" because they like you. They want you to subscribe and donate.

This is like a more cringe-y version of camgirls. Just like those greasy old farts who think they'll have a chance with a camgirl by throwing $$$ at her, stream viewers think they'll... somehow become friends with the streamer by throwing $$$ at them?

If you want friends, just play the damn game and talk to people. That's a way faster and more genuine way to make friends on-line.

The streamer culture is just one step up from watching things on TV.

[Kathandira]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a game that you could be playing yourself. But anyway I finally caved in and decided to watch a couple of streams that seemed "fun".

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS THIS?

There are people in the chat who are actually UNIRONICALLY chatting with the streamers like they're their friends?

The streamer is NOT your friend. You're just a source of $$$ to them. They're not mentioning your name or laughing at your "clever comments" because they like you. They want you to subscribe and donate.

This is like a more cringe-y version of camgirls. Just like those greasy old farts who think they'll have a chance with a camgirl by throwing $$$ at her, stream viewers think they'll... somehow become friends with the streamer by throwing $$$ at them?

If you want friends, just play the damn game and talk to people. That's a way faster and more genuine way to make friends on-line.

Really big streamers can be this way. But small streamers you can actually build a friendship with. When there are the same 10 people in the chat each day, and you talk to them often, its quite different than when it is 2,000 people in chat.

[Nnyco]

Someone chats with someone in a friendly manner?! HOW DARE THEY! Now lets watch some people play football because thats totally different.

[downnola]

I'll check out some streams to learn from good players. I don't see the appeal of watching FPS or battle royale players, though. Obviously a lot people enjoy the streams and find them entertaining. To each their own.

[s_bushido]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a game that you could be playing yourself.

Old-fashioned, indeed.

But it's funny, because unlike watching those people play a game you could be playing yourself, you can actually interact with the streamer...and depending on the size of their channel and the game they're playing, maybe even have a pretty chill conversation with them.

[Dug]

Yeah I've grown out of streams myself. Can't really recall what I enjoyed about them. If I do watch a stream its tournament streams for Melee and I think that's pretty self explanatory why one would want to watch tournaments. Only streamer I'm still subbed to (twitch prime) and occasionally check on is Mang0 but even then I can't watch for long before I'm bored and do something else.

[Queen of Hamsters]

So you believe that you're personal friends with anyone you watch in a movie that you enjoy...?

What an odd duck. Streaming is interactive reality TV. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Ange]

I enjoy silent streamers with a good taste in music and run them in the background. Liked ducksauce for the jokes & radio voice as the background for my gaming session to keep the MMO farming more enjoyable.

Clown/reaction streamers are really boring, repetitive, with no gameplay and charts music and you can just smell the greed to target the young viewers for sub/donations.

But watching streamers without actually playing the game is something I dont get.

[GreenJesus]

Ok Boomer /10chrs

[smityx]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a SPORT that you could be playing yourself. But anyway I finally caved in and decided to watch a couple of GAMES that seemed "fun".

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS THIS?

There are people in THEIR HOMES who are actually UNIRONICALLY CHEERING with the PEOPLE AT THE EVENT like they're THERE?

The PLAYERS ARE NOT your friend. You're just a source of $$$ to them. They're not HEARING YOUR CHEERS or BASKING IN your "FANATICISM" because YOU LIKE THEM. They want you to BUY LICENSED MERCH, PURCHASE TICKETS AND WATCH THE ADS ON THE GAME TO GET PAID.

This is like a more cringe-y version of camgirls. Just like those greasy old farts who think they'll have a chance with a camgirl by throwing $$$ at her, viewers think they'll... somehow become friends with the PLAYERS by CHEERING LOUDER at them?

If you want friends, just play the damn game and talk to people. That's a way faster and more genuine way to make friends on-line.

Can use the same argument for something else.

[Endus]

<snip>

Old-fashioned, indeed.

But it's funny, because unlike watching those people play a game you could be playing yourself, you can actually interact with the streamer...and depending on the size of their channel and the game they're playing, maybe even have a pretty chill conversation with them.

Yuuup.

E-sports aren't functionally different from other sports.

And streamers are entertainers, like anyone else. Why would you watch Bob Ross paint a picture, or watch a chef cook food? Same reasons you'll watch a streamer do a speed run.

Knee-jerking about how "weird" this is just dates the person complaining; they're just waving their cane and ranting about "back in MY day!" It's the same thing we've been using media to enjoy for decades or more. The concept isn't "new", the subject matter is just modern.

[Frolk]

Call me old-fashioned but I don't understand what's so fun about watching someone else play a game that you could be playing yourself. But anyway I finally caved in and decided to watch a couple of streams that seemed "fun".

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** IS THIS?

There are people in the chat who are actually UNIRONICALLY chatting with the streamers like they're their friends?

The streamer is NOT your friend. You're just a source of $$$ to them. They're not mentioning your name or laughing at your "clever comments" because they like you. They want you to subscribe and donate.

This is like a more cringe-y version of camgirls. Just like those greasy old farts who think they'll have a chance with a camgirl by throwing $$$ at her, stream viewers think they'll... somehow become friends with the streamer by throwing $$$ at them?

If you want friends, just play the damn game and talk to people. That's a way faster and more genuine way to make friends on-line.

Ok boomer.

You have to accept that people like different things than you, u might not like or understand it, but u have to accept it.

[Kontinuum]

Islam is right about streamers.

[Wilfire]

Islam is right about streamers.

Is streaming acceptable?

[Kontinuum]

Is streaming acceptable?

Absolutely haram!
(Well, I hope so...)

[Kumorii]

I both watch and play...
not sure why it's either/or

[Calfredd]

And streamers are entertainers, like anyone else. Why would you watch Bob Ross paint a picture, or watch a chef cook food? Same reasons you'll watch a streamer do a speed run.

Since we're on the topic of streamers, Boss Ross has his own Twitch channel where someone has been (legally) uploading all of his episodes to. Very nice. Very chill.