This topic is not original but similar to videos like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzyQbfh4t_8
In the wake of the "FB gaming" trend I thought it makes sense to bring it up again. It does offer food for thought and IMO raises important questions. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means a hate thread - quite the opposite.
I fully understand t90 and Viper switching to Facebook - in their situations, I would probably have done the same. Getting so much money legally for doing something you generally enjoy (even with less viewers and IMO a worse platform) is an incredible opportunity.
But this also takes me to the issue at hand. Twitch streaming by its very nature for many people creates a very friendly, almost intimate atmosphere: for all big AoE streamers, there is a strong sense of community. In fact, it is probably a requirement to become a big streamer in the first place. This manifests itself in the whole set-up of the streams. The tone is friendly, personal. People are greeted by their name (well, Twitch name). People know each other, spend a lot of time together. Many people listen to their favorite streamer for many hours each week. Sometimes, even personal information is shared: dating, moving, even some health issues.
Personally, I think this creates problems. Because ultimately, what I said before always applies: several streamers have to make a living off of it. This means when it comes down to it, a more attractive business opportunity might be taken, even if it might mean losing half your audience. Generally, there is a disconnect between the friendly, personal relationship in streams and the reality of not being his friend, by any means. In a way, you are a more or less anonymous customer at best or even just "the product" (to other companies like FB or ad businesses).
All of this is, of course, obvious - in a way. Yet it is also not. Even if you KNOW it, you might not FEEL it. You might not fully, deeply, actually realize it. Humans are not 100 % rational beings. They want to be part of a community, even if it is online. Still, I feel this creates problems for some viewers at least. They might feel disappointed or lonely when "their" streamer "betrays" them - which of course is silly, but it shouldn't be too surprising considering the whole atmosphere of community. Others might donate or "invest" too much money, just to feel accepted, to support their "friend".
Again, none of this is meant to portray streamers as evil by any means. It is easy to criticize this behavior when you yourself get paid in your regular job (or your parents give you money) - but for many of them, you are their job.
In the wake of the "FB gaming" trend I thought it makes sense to bring it up again. It does offer food for thought and IMO raises important questions. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means a hate thread - quite the opposite.
I fully understand t90 and Viper switching to Facebook - in their situations, I would probably have done the same. Getting so much money legally for doing something you generally enjoy (even with less viewers and IMO a worse platform) is an incredible opportunity.
But this also takes me to the issue at hand. Twitch streaming by its very nature for many people creates a very friendly, almost intimate atmosphere: for all big AoE streamers, there is a strong sense of community. In fact, it is probably a requirement to become a big streamer in the first place. This manifests itself in the whole set-up of the streams. The tone is friendly, personal. People are greeted by their name (well, Twitch name). People know each other, spend a lot of time together. Many people listen to their favorite streamer for many hours each week. Sometimes, even personal information is shared: dating, moving, even some health issues.
Personally, I think this creates problems. Because ultimately, what I said before always applies: several streamers have to make a living off of it. This means when it comes down to it, a more attractive business opportunity might be taken, even if it might mean losing half your audience. Generally, there is a disconnect between the friendly, personal relationship in streams and the reality of not being his friend, by any means. In a way, you are a more or less anonymous customer at best or even just "the product" (to other companies like FB or ad businesses).
All of this is, of course, obvious - in a way. Yet it is also not. Even if you KNOW it, you might not FEEL it. You might not fully, deeply, actually realize it. Humans are not 100 % rational beings. They want to be part of a community, even if it is online. Still, I feel this creates problems for some viewers at least. They might feel disappointed or lonely when "their" streamer "betrays" them - which of course is silly, but it shouldn't be too surprising considering the whole atmosphere of community. Others might donate or "invest" too much money, just to feel accepted, to support their "friend".
Again, none of this is meant to portray streamers as evil by any means. It is easy to criticize this behavior when you yourself get paid in your regular job (or your parents give you money) - but for many of them, you are their job.