Something I find interesting: most people here seem to think of video LPs exclusively when they think of LPs. Not that I don't understand, of course; screenshot LPs never really took off in the same way that video LPs did. Just an observation.
What do you all think in general about Let's Players?
I like 'em, for two different reasons, which generally don't overlap but aren't necessarily mutually exclusive:
1) The people playing the games can be funny. Single-player channels who focus on being funny, such as PewDiePie and Markiplier, generally aren't really my thing, but I find that collaborative channels can be very enjoyable to watch. Game Grumps, for example, is one of my favourites.
2) I like to learn about games. Let's Players that know a lot about the games they play, such as ProtonJon and HCBailly, are interesting to watch. There generally isn't much overlap between this and collaborative channels; informative ones focus on the game, whereas collaborative ones focus on conversation. However, they are both fun to watch, but in different ways.
Do they help the gaming industry?
I don't see why they wouldn't. I will admit: sometimes I do like to read or watch LPs as a sort of substitute for a game that I've never had the opportunity to play. However, I think that they help expand my horizons, so to speak; there are games that I never would have given a second look that I've discovered via LPs. Additionally, a Let's Play can end up being the most honest and comprehensive review of a game possible; you're literally sitting down and watching someone play through an entire game, giving their reactions and opinions on everything they encounter. They're uncondensed, and a lot of people don't have time for that, but I would rather get a full, detailed and interesting report than a review that's been distilled to a few general, non-specific details that mean little to nothing because they have no context.
Do they hurt game devs more then game publishers?
I honestly don't see how they can be harmful, either. If a developer thinks that they're being harmed by LPs, they need to adapt in order to take advantage of them somehow.
Can just doing LPs be seen as a steady career and make a living off of that?
Hard to say, really. As much as I'd love to make a living off of my streaming channel, I get no viewers. I have fun with it, don't get me wrong, but I can't pay a bill with an average of 0 views. It's like being a celebrity; it's all about being in the right place in the right time. However, if you do manage to amass a dedicated fanbase, I can't really say that it's impossible to make a career out of it. It's kind of a risk, but so is every kind of career as an internet celebrity. Besides, a few people currently live off their LPs, so it's definitely possible, at least for a while.
Do you think LPs are stupid in general?
No, not really. They're not stupider than any other kind of entertainment, at any rate.
What do you all think in general about Let's Players?
I like 'em, for two different reasons, which generally don't overlap but aren't necessarily mutually exclusive:
1) The people playing the games can be funny. Single-player channels who focus on being funny, such as PewDiePie and Markiplier, generally aren't really my thing, but I find that collaborative channels can be very enjoyable to watch. Game Grumps, for example, is one of my favourites.
2) I like to learn about games. Let's Players that know a lot about the games they play, such as ProtonJon and HCBailly, are interesting to watch. There generally isn't much overlap between this and collaborative channels; informative ones focus on the game, whereas collaborative ones focus on conversation. However, they are both fun to watch, but in different ways.
Do they help the gaming industry?
I don't see why they wouldn't. I will admit: sometimes I do like to read or watch LPs as a sort of substitute for a game that I've never had the opportunity to play. However, I think that they help expand my horizons, so to speak; there are games that I never would have given a second look that I've discovered via LPs. Additionally, a Let's Play can end up being the most honest and comprehensive review of a game possible; you're literally sitting down and watching someone play through an entire game, giving their reactions and opinions on everything they encounter. They're uncondensed, and a lot of people don't have time for that, but I would rather get a full, detailed and interesting report than a review that's been distilled to a few general, non-specific details that mean little to nothing because they have no context.
Do they hurt game devs more then game publishers?
I honestly don't see how they can be harmful, either. If a developer thinks that they're being harmed by LPs, they need to adapt in order to take advantage of them somehow.
Can just doing LPs be seen as a steady career and make a living off of that?
Hard to say, really. As much as I'd love to make a living off of my streaming channel, I get no viewers. I have fun with it, don't get me wrong, but I can't pay a bill with an average of 0 views. It's like being a celebrity; it's all about being in the right place in the right time. However, if you do manage to amass a dedicated fanbase, I can't really say that it's impossible to make a career out of it. It's kind of a risk, but so is every kind of career as an internet celebrity. Besides, a few people currently live off their LPs, so it's definitely possible, at least for a while.
Do you think LPs are stupid in general?
No, not really. They're not stupider than any other kind of entertainment, at any rate.
