Why Do People Watch Other People Play Video Games?
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
platform
Noun
ˈplæt.fɔːrm
an app or website that is the base from which a service is provided
Elon Musk announced a major transformation of Twitter when he took over the platform.
streaming
Noun
ˈstriːmɪŋ
a way of sending and receiving data, especially video, over the internet
I haven't bought a CD in years because I listen to music on streaming platforms these days.
actively
Adverb
ˈæktɪvli
in a way that involves action or effort
He's been actively involved in the local community for over 30 years.
personality
Noun
ˌpɜrsəˈnælɪti
the traits and qualities that determine how a person or animal behaves
I believe that personality is more important than appearance.
community
Noun
kəˈmjuːnəti
the state of sharing or having interests, attitudes, etc. in common
Religion provides a sense of community for millions of Brits.
varied
Adjective
ˈverid, ˈværid
including a large number of different types, elements, etc.
With everything from sloths to toucans, Colombia's wildlife is extremely varied.
Article
Why Do People Watch Other People Play Video Games?
Across the world, millions of people are watching other people play video games on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitch.
Twitch in particular has become the world's biggest video game streaming platform, with over 240 million people using the site each month, and over 7 million people actively streaming.
Imagine that — a whole business, worth billions of dollars, based on people wanting to watch other people play video games.
But why do people want to do this — instead of just playing the games themselves?
One possible reason is the personality of the players. People enjoy watching how these gamers react and make jokes as they play the games. One study in 2021 found that people like to watch gamers simply because they find their personalities attractive.
They may also be attracted by a player's skill. Some simply find it enjoyable to watch a professional gamer play a difficult video game, while others may hope to learn and improve their own skills by watching.
Another study in 2016 looked at people who watch gamers on Twitch in particular. It found that people watch these gamers not only to learn from them, but also to see what a game is like before they decide whether or not to buy it.
The same study found that people also watched games online because they could interact with other people who liked games, and it gave them a sense of community.
This kind of online community would become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Twitch's audience grew by about 80%.
However, according to the 2016 study, the biggest reason people like to watch video gamers is simply because they want to relax and forget about their daily life.
Just as there are many different kinds of video games, there are also many different kinds of gamers. And it seems people's reasons for watching these gamers are just as varied.
Discussion
1.
Do you find it surprising that over 240 million people use Twitch each month?
2.
Do you ever watch other people play video games online? If so, what do you enjoy about it?
3.
Are you a gamer? Have you ever thought about streaming your gameplay?
4.
Did you play more video games during the pandemic?
5.
How would you describe the community associated with your favorite pastimes?
