User:Puni2k/sandbox

Let's Play
'Let's Play' is a form of 'User Generated Content' (UGC) like screenshots or videos showing people playing a video game

Presentation
It's up to the player to decide on how to present the gaming session.

When using screenshots the presentation is done in a text form. The end result is quite similar to ordinary blogs or reviews.

Presentation by video offers more opportunities. The player may opt between recodring his own voice of comment the video with captions.

Some players use both methods, audio for their own comments and captions as a comical relief.

If the player wants to reach an international audience using the english language is a must. There are however players that limit themself to an audience speaking the same language.

Sometimes distinguishing a 'Let's play' from a video blog isn't that easy. Some players add personal information in their videos or create a distinct series for this.

Attractivity
People watch 'Let's plays' out of different reason.

Experience
The skill level among a player base differs greatly. Some may have difficulties with the game mechanics and so may not be able to experience some content of the game. Others may not have to time or patience for challenging different story lines. 'let's plays' offers these people an opportunity to experience this content.

Availability
The Audience gets the opportunity to see games that are no longer available on the local market or never have been available. The audience might also us the 'let's play' to decide if they want to purchase the game or not.

Comfort
It's easier for the audience to integrate a 'let's play' in their schedule. Some games don't allow the player to save the game at any place. The gamer has to advance to the next savepoint if he doesn't want to lose the achievements he made in the meantime. A video however can be paused anytime and be resumed later.

Distribution
Apart from recording a video and uploading it to video sharing services like youtube there is the possibility using a live stream. One of the most widely used services is Twitch.tv which is specialised in streaming video games.

Youtube stated that 'let's plays' and 'walkthroughs' make out nearly 50% of their videos.

Popularity
The number of subscribers of some 'let's players' now exceed the one of contemporary pop-stars end reaches two-digit millions. Success however is not guaranteed. Success is determined by how good you can present yourself and how skilled you are with the creating and editing videos.

Economic Aspects
'Let's plays' offer the opportunity to earn money. In addition to earnings from ads services like twitch.tv offer further opportunities like subscriptions or donations.

The market in between has reached a size that makes it attractive to corporations.

Twitch.tv was bought by Amazon for over 900 million US dollars.

PC hardware manufacturers tweak their products to match the needs of 'let's players' and advertise this.

Game creators have mixed feelings about the topic. While some allow videos from their games others try to prohibit this or try to benefit from it. .

Some 'let's players' are directly paid by game developers or are supported otherwise.

Legal Aspects
In germany the legal situation concerning 'let's plays' has yet not been clarified. The content of video games is protected by copyright, there is however no clarification if a 'let's player' needs the agreement of the entitled person to create videos out of the game. You can be on the safe side of you get the agreement in advance.

Some 'let's plays' are accompanied by commercial musics. Since this in most cases is a copyright violation service providers like twitch.tv are now blocking audio sections from affected videos.