A growing fact of our hobby is how many people are enjoying it mostly as observers. What parts of games make it better for you as a player in streamed games? What make you more or less likely to run a system if you know you’re going to stream it? And most importantly, what do you love/hate most when watching streamed games?
This is not a thread to bash on streamers or those watching. I will moderate heavily.
I haven’t done a lot (been a player twice and GMed once on Once Upon a Game), but I watch a fair bit of streams, and my favorites have always been productions where education was given at least equal priority to entertainment. Watching other people rpg takes a lot of time, and so I tend to focus on streams that play games I don’t have but am interested in, or that I am thinking about running (or maybe I am running) but want that actual play example that goes above and beyond the book.
I haven’t done a lot (been a player twice and GMed once on Once Upon a Game), but I watch a fair bit of streams, and my favorites have always been productions where education was given at least equal priority to entertainment. Watching other people rpg takes a lot of time, and so I tend to focus on streams that play games I don’t have but am interested in, or that I am thinking about running (or maybe I am running) but want that actual play example that goes above and beyond the book.
Listening. It’s fascinating to me how this is evolving.
Listening. It’s fascinating to me how this is evolving.
I’m really getting into the play that I’m posting and seeing at Adept Play. I thought this was going to be kind of agonizing but it’s way fun. http://adeptplay.com/actual-play
I’m really getting into the play that I’m posting and seeing at Adept Play. I thought this was going to be kind of agonizing but it’s way fun. http://adeptplay.com/actual-play
Listening because I am greedy for knowledge.
Listening because I am greedy for knowledge.
As either GM or player: feeling comfortable with the game. Streaming means no editing, so any gaffes or waffling over mechanics can’t be cut. And I think “comfort” goes a step further than just rules familiarity. You need to roll with the unexpected. Whatever your game is – maybe your jam is PbtA, maybe it’s Champions.
Edit: if you’re expanding this to include not just real-time streaming, you have a lot more freedom I think.
As either GM or player: feeling comfortable with the game. Streaming means no editing, so any gaffes or waffling over mechanics can’t be cut. And I think “comfort” goes a step further than just rules familiarity. You need to roll with the unexpected. Whatever your game is – maybe your jam is PbtA, maybe it’s Champions.
Edit: if you’re expanding this to include not just real-time streaming, you have a lot more freedom I think.
I am an avid listener. Being able to watch other player and GM styles is not only great fun but also helps expand my idea of what is possible with this delightful hobby. I definitely use streamed games as a way to judge if I will enjoy a game and it helps immensely when learning a new system.
I am an avid listener. Being able to watch other player and GM styles is not only great fun but also helps expand my idea of what is possible with this delightful hobby. I definitely use streamed games as a way to judge if I will enjoy a game and it helps immensely when learning a new system.
I’ve thought about the streaming thing as an extension of my solo game play, but the reality is that I have dogs and a non-gamer wife that likes to run the vacuum cleaner when I have the headset on.
Just curious as to what percentage of streamers actually set up a studio-like environment for their recordings.
I’ve thought about the streaming thing as an extension of my solo game play, but the reality is that I have dogs and a non-gamer wife that likes to run the vacuum cleaner when I have the headset on.
Just curious as to what percentage of streamers actually set up a studio-like environment for their recordings.
When watching streams I love to see people engaging with each other’s building of the fiction (see; collaboration). When the ball starts rolling and things are getting hot and everyone is engaged with the scene at hand. I’m not as hugely invested when it feels like players are too in their own character’s head and not listening to what is going on. There are times even when the player doesn’t know what to do next and it feels like they may be daydreaming and far off from the scene. It can be about chemistry, well… it is often about chemistry. Maybe my answer just boils down to good chemistry, or at the very least a DM who can be the glue to keep that kind of thing going.
When watching streams I love to see people engaging with each other’s building of the fiction (see; collaboration). When the ball starts rolling and things are getting hot and everyone is engaged with the scene at hand. I’m not as hugely invested when it feels like players are too in their own character’s head and not listening to what is going on. There are times even when the player doesn’t know what to do next and it feels like they may be daydreaming and far off from the scene. It can be about chemistry, well… it is often about chemistry. Maybe my answer just boils down to good chemistry, or at the very least a DM who can be the glue to keep that kind of thing going.
If I’m considering buying a game, the first thing I’ll do is find an actual play video. If there isn’t one, there’s a good chance I won’t pick it up.
If I’m considering buying a game, the first thing I’ll do is find an actual play video. If there isn’t one, there’s a good chance I won’t pick it up.
Doesn’t matter if I’m watching new or long-time players so long as the GM is skilled in keeping things moving and knowing where players want or need to go for good story, and the players are interested in the story and telling it collaboratively. I know lots of people disagree, but I love character creation being a group process that’s shared with the stream. It’s also one of my favourite way to learn new systems.
Doesn’t matter if I’m watching new or long-time players so long as the GM is skilled in keeping things moving and knowing where players want or need to go for good story, and the players are interested in the story and telling it collaboratively. I know lots of people disagree, but I love character creation being a group process that’s shared with the stream. It’s also one of my favourite way to learn new systems.
Todd Zircher I don’t stream but I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility due to bg noise if that’s what you want to do. There are some gaming headsets that are really good at isolating your voice and cancelling out bg noise. And, fans tend to be understanding anyway. ;P
Todd Zircher I don’t stream but I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility due to bg noise if that’s what you want to do. There are some gaming headsets that are really good at isolating your voice and cancelling out bg noise. And, fans tend to be understanding anyway. ;P
I listen to a lot of actual play. Several hours a week, often way more. (WHtK is one of my faves, btw.) This is from the perspective of a commute podcast consumer. Streams, I just don’t have time for. But AP podcasts are similar.
Loves: 2 or 3 players, ambient sound and music, consistent quality, plot twists, good editing, individual mics, good pacing (by players as well as GM – get through a full, solid story arc in 10hrs, 20 tops), GMs discussing their game and their technique either as a segment or separate episode, Pocket Casts, Audible.
Hates: More than 4 players, one mic for the whole table, no/poor editing, tactical combat (fun as a player, extremely dull as a listener), poor pacing, long character intros every episode, Twitch (I don’t have time for old fashioned TV, where you catch a show at 9pm on Thursdays, and recorded Twitch loses all its advantages – its just unedited YouTube AP. I don’t have anything against streamers, the platform is just incompatible with my life), YouTube (I suppose I could pay for Red and fix all the problems I have with it).
Totally OK with… Patron shilling, advertisements / promotions, sponsored APs to promote a new RPG or KS.
Most good APs have a lot of good stuff. Some good AP podcasts have one of the bad things, but they’re good enough I can put up with it, or it’s not so bad.
I listen to a lot of actual play. Several hours a week, often way more. (WHtK is one of my faves, btw.) This is from the perspective of a commute podcast consumer. Streams, I just don’t have time for. But AP podcasts are similar.
Loves: 2 or 3 players, ambient sound and music, consistent quality, plot twists, good editing, individual mics, good pacing (by players as well as GM – get through a full, solid story arc in 10hrs, 20 tops), GMs discussing their game and their technique either as a segment or separate episode, Pocket Casts, Audible.
Hates: More than 4 players, one mic for the whole table, no/poor editing, tactical combat (fun as a player, extremely dull as a listener), poor pacing, long character intros every episode, Twitch (I don’t have time for old fashioned TV, where you catch a show at 9pm on Thursdays, and recorded Twitch loses all its advantages – its just unedited YouTube AP. I don’t have anything against streamers, the platform is just incompatible with my life), YouTube (I suppose I could pay for Red and fix all the problems I have with it).
Totally OK with… Patron shilling, advertisements / promotions, sponsored APs to promote a new RPG or KS.
Most good APs have a lot of good stuff. Some good AP podcasts have one of the bad things, but they’re good enough I can put up with it, or it’s not so bad.
My ears are on
My ears are on
1.) What part of games make it better for you as a player in streamed games?
Easy to decipher rolls help with streaming. There is a lot of excitement over rolling a 20 because everyone knows what that means. So you want short routes to results after rolling. I’ve seen players flouder with Shadowrun dice, and Star Wars gimmick dice. The former is obvious but the latter has to do with the immediate result not being obvious. Though it should be noted when same group played in real life with those dice they were quicker to grasp what rolls meant.
2.) What makes you more or less likely to run a game you’re going to stream?
If a game doesn’t have good roll20 support I’m less likely to run it. The dice roller is usually included in the stream and the better that looks the more accessible the stream. Blades in the dark benefits greatly from having excellent roll20 api. That makes the results of rolls clear. Burning Wheel wouldn’t be possible to play online if the roll20 character sheet wasn’t there. Plus on roll20 the website takes care of the pesky task of determining whether a test was routine difficult or challenging.
3.) What do I love/hate most when watching streamed games?
I love when the AP is pointed towards teaching how the game works. Friends at the table does this alot with some sections just reading out of the book.
I will often check out streams for games I have not yet played. Or games I have played and want to compare my understanding to the streaming GM’s.
I personally dislike listening or watching dnd combat unless its low level stuff that’s over quick. But dnd is the most popular thing and I think some people watch it just so they can rules lawyer from the twitch chat.
Also backstory podcast just had a wonderful episode with Adam Koebel who has been a streaming GM for a while now. And it goes into this kind of thing pretty well.
oneshotpodcast.com – 60. Adam Koebel | The One Shot Podcast
1.) What part of games make it better for you as a player in streamed games?
Easy to decipher rolls help with streaming. There is a lot of excitement over rolling a 20 because everyone knows what that means. So you want short routes to results after rolling. I’ve seen players flouder with Shadowrun dice, and Star Wars gimmick dice. The former is obvious but the latter has to do with the immediate result not being obvious. Though it should be noted when same group played in real life with those dice they were quicker to grasp what rolls meant.
2.) What makes you more or less likely to run a game you’re going to stream?
If a game doesn’t have good roll20 support I’m less likely to run it. The dice roller is usually included in the stream and the better that looks the more accessible the stream. Blades in the dark benefits greatly from having excellent roll20 api. That makes the results of rolls clear. Burning Wheel wouldn’t be possible to play online if the roll20 character sheet wasn’t there. Plus on roll20 the website takes care of the pesky task of determining whether a test was routine difficult or challenging.
3.) What do I love/hate most when watching streamed games?
I love when the AP is pointed towards teaching how the game works. Friends at the table does this alot with some sections just reading out of the book.
I will often check out streams for games I have not yet played. Or games I have played and want to compare my understanding to the streaming GM’s.
I personally dislike listening or watching dnd combat unless its low level stuff that’s over quick. But dnd is the most popular thing and I think some people watch it just so they can rules lawyer from the twitch chat.
Also backstory podcast just had a wonderful episode with Adam Koebel who has been a streaming GM for a while now. And it goes into this kind of thing pretty well.
oneshotpodcast.com – 60. Adam Koebel | The One Shot Podcast
Aaron Berger thanks, that was really comprehensive and very useful.
Time to pull back the veil a little bit. Streaming has become one of the main ways new players get interested in our hobby and while some games have taken advantage of the technology to make interesting games for the players I have yet to see a system that focuses on telling compelling stories for the viewers. Thinking about that got me wondering what that might look like. I’m definitely seeing some good answers to that question.
Aaron Berger thanks, that was really comprehensive and very useful.
Time to pull back the veil a little bit. Streaming has become one of the main ways new players get interested in our hobby and while some games have taken advantage of the technology to make interesting games for the players I have yet to see a system that focuses on telling compelling stories for the viewers. Thinking about that got me wondering what that might look like. I’m definitely seeing some good answers to that question.
World Wide Wrestling RPG does the best i’ve seen with streaming. I think its because the game proposes the players act as audience members. But what it allows is for the chat to jump in be apart of the game.
If we are talking streamed games then the thing to pay attention to is the chat. The way the game can interact with chat is the area for new development.
If you’re talking about post production podcasts where things are edited down. You’re more likely to see the development go to things like music and vignettes pieces of fiction.
World Wide Wrestling RPG does the best i’ve seen with streaming. I think its because the game proposes the players act as audience members. But what it allows is for the chat to jump in be apart of the game.
If we are talking streamed games then the thing to pay attention to is the chat. The way the game can interact with chat is the area for new development.
If you’re talking about post production podcasts where things are edited down. You’re more likely to see the development go to things like music and vignettes pieces of fiction.
I have never watched a streaming game, only listened. I was very dubious about listening to actual plays for some time. Now “She’s a Super Geek” is part of my regular podcast menu and my diet of “gaming methadone.”
What do love? Enthusiastic, committed, in-character play; laughter–in short, all the things that #SASGeek provides.
I have never watched a streaming game, only listened. I was very dubious about listening to actual plays for some time. Now “She’s a Super Geek” is part of my regular podcast menu and my diet of “gaming methadone.”
What do love? Enthusiastic, committed, in-character play; laughter–in short, all the things that #SASGeek provides.
I love systems like Fiasco, Cartel and Urban Shadows as candidates to watch. They are gripping, and I can’t stop watching. I have binged on 20 episodes of an Urban Shadows actual play like it was a Netflix show.
I love systems like Fiasco, Cartel and Urban Shadows as candidates to watch. They are gripping, and I can’t stop watching. I have binged on 20 episodes of an Urban Shadows actual play like it was a Netflix show.
Re: the category killer here:
I really like Critical Role, because their voice talent is awesome, and Mercer’s energy is infectious. But I would really LOVE Critical Role if it had 3 fewer players (no specific ones – just fewer) and no tactical combat. I.e. not D&D. (I enjoy D&D, but assuming you like it, tactical combat is 10x more fun to play than to watch/listen to.)
Re: the category killer here:
I really like Critical Role, because their voice talent is awesome, and Mercer’s energy is infectious. But I would really LOVE Critical Role if it had 3 fewer players (no specific ones – just fewer) and no tactical combat. I.e. not D&D. (I enjoy D&D, but assuming you like it, tactical combat is 10x more fun to play than to watch/listen to.)
Although I have limited experience with streaming (streamed 3 times total for one shots) I am an avid consumer of AP podcast and streams. Smaller casts are good. Smaller casts are better both for sharing spotlight and pacing. I also suggest all at the table be aware of sharing visual information. As someone who switches streamed games to audio only. Any game that assumes I can see what is on the screen I stop following. I would avoid tactical maps and such, without them descriptions are often more vivid and engaging.
As someone who’s played oneshots accessible handouts for rules and such are good. And a well thought out Roll20 set up is also really good.
You may also want someone other than the GM take up production/recording duties. From what I understand doing both can be quite daunting. But that’s more hearsay than learned through experience.
Although I have limited experience with streaming (streamed 3 times total for one shots) I am an avid consumer of AP podcast and streams. Smaller casts are good. Smaller casts are better both for sharing spotlight and pacing. I also suggest all at the table be aware of sharing visual information. As someone who switches streamed games to audio only. Any game that assumes I can see what is on the screen I stop following. I would avoid tactical maps and such, without them descriptions are often more vivid and engaging.
As someone who’s played oneshots accessible handouts for rules and such are good. And a well thought out Roll20 set up is also really good.
You may also want someone other than the GM take up production/recording duties. From what I understand doing both can be quite daunting. But that’s more hearsay than learned through experience.