Watching a video game on YouTube should ‘count’ as playing it

I’ve always been a passionate gamer at heart, but my relationship with gaming has evolved over the years. While I used to pride myself on being able to beat the latest releases within days of their release, life got in the way and my gaming time became limited. Now, I find myself spending more time watching others play games than actually playing them myself.

I’m about to dive back into another thrilling round of Dead by Daylight. The last game was a nerve-wracking experience – as a solo Survivor, my goal is to outwit a four-person team of relentless Killers. In the previous match, these Survivors exploited every possible advantage on the sun-scorched desert map, dancing around obstacles and growing increasingly cocky. Their self-assurance started to overshadow my own determination. But somehow, against all odds, we managed to emerge victorious. Or, to put it another way, the skilled Twitch streamer I was watching managed to lead us to victory.

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At times, the lines between my own experiences of playing a game and observing someone else play it blur together. I’ve invested an equivalent amount of time into both activities, curled up under a blanket on the couch with unblinking focus on the TV screen, much like a cat fixated on a laser pointer. Both engaging in the game myself and watching others play grant me a profound comprehension of its mechanics, narrative, and intricately developed characters. Consequently, I now view playing and observing games as essentially identical experiences.

Among numerous games, such as “Dark Souls,” “Resident Evil 4,” and “League of Legends,” I frequently discuss with confident authority. However, in truth, these games are more akin to casual acquaintances. For instance, I managed to defeat just five bosses in “Dark Souls” using my pigtailed powerlifter character before becoming frustrated with the game’s irritating pimple-eyed basilisks and opting instead for preparing dinner.

Prior to and following my decision to quit “Dark Souls,” I watched a boyfriend, a roommate, and various YouTubers complete the entire game from start to finish, totaling around 40 hours. Although I encountered Ceaseless Discharge only once in my abandoned playthrough, observing countless other people’s games made this oozing boss a well-known adversary to me. The wobbly, decayed wooden pathways of Blighttown became as familiar as the driveway leading to my parents’ house. For a season, I even used YouTube speedruns to help me fall asleep at night.

I often find myself in the role of an engaged spectator when it comes to playing video games. Although I’ve built up a good understanding of these games through extensive observation and research, I don’t always feel the need or ability to play them myself. This isn’t an uncommon experience; many of my friends, particularly women, share this preference.

Watching people play games is a significant aspect of the gaming world, driving much of the popular video content online. For instance, there’s the “Let’s Play” genre on YouTube where engaging gamers share their experiences and commentary as they play. Additionally, Twitch streamers thrive on this phenomenon. Even without commentary, people are drawn to watch gameplay for the captivating stories. In summary, watching and playing games have become almost interchangeable activities due to the community’s collective enthusiasm for sharing the experience. The excitement generated by top gamers like Ninja in Fortnite would not resonate with audiences worldwide if they weren’t equally immersed in the gameplay.

Put simply, engaging as a spectator in an energetic pastime like gaming is similar to experiencing the opera if you can’t perform, or enjoying basketball from the sidelines when you’re not interested in participating but have a deep passion for it. Although immersing yourself fully as Jalen Brunson might cause you to lose balance and break into a sweat, you can still gain extensive knowledge of the game just by observing. Moreover, fans are often assumed to display their team spirit with posters, worn jerseys, or by anxiously monitoring scores rather than focusing on social interactions.

Although gaming is a massive global entertainment sector, it’s frequently viewed as an exclusive clique. People who engage with games in slightly varied manners than others aren’t always considered “true gamers,” much like how sports enthusiasts or music aficionados are recognized for their passions. The concept of authentic gaming holds merit in certain instances. For example, I enjoy sharing the terrifying narrative of 2013’s survival horror game, “Outlast,” with my friends. However, I cannot fully grasp the sensation of creeping through the game with a failing flashlight since I watched a PewDiePie playthrough when I was fifteen.

Playing may not always be the most significant part of gaming for me. Instead, what truly engages me is becoming deeply involved in a game’s narrative and connecting with its characters, whether I’m guiding a hero’s journey or eavesdropping on another player’s plans. These moments of immersion, be they thrilling or infuriating, are the reasons why I turn to games for escape and engagement. If observing my boyfriend play “Hunt: Showdown” can provide me with that same level of involvement, then I’m content with being a spectator as well.

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2024-07-16 00:49