‘let’s play’: the game-viewing phenomenon’s rising popularity

‘Let’s Play’: The Game-Viewing Phenomenon’s Rising Popularity

ByBen Koses

Let’s play! Play? No, I’m not misquoting Mario. I’m referring to the widespread internet phenomenon known as Let’s Plays. Prominently based on YouTube (though, as the famous Twitch plays Pokémon, demonstrated, YouTube is not their exclusive residence), Let’s Plays center around an audience watching a gamer play through a game. GAMECEPTION!   So What? A…

Let’s watch “let’s play”

Let’s Watch “Let’s Play”

ByChris Yeoh

I’m going through a phase. Sometimes, I’ll catch myself on YouTube watching a game of Crusader Kings II unfold as a nervous guy talks off-camera in a monotone punctuated by bursts of uncharacteristic enthusiasm. The premise: a person records their gaming session, narrating as they go – highs, lows, awkward pauses, expletives and all –…