Because it is or was their hobby and it is fun to see other people do stuff that you like.
Some streamers are very skilled so it's similiar to sports, others are entertaining like podcaster or comedians.
Yup, I watch one strategy gamer because they're way better than me at the game and I learn stuff about the game almost every time. I don't have the time to really dig into such a complex game (I still play, but I have kids and a FT job), so I guess I kind of live vicariously through the streamer.
I don't see as much point in other games though, because I'd rather play than watch. But strategy games have a steep learning curve so I get more out of watching.
For what it's worth, I think both things are a stupid way to spend your time, so this retort isn't the slam dunk you think.
That being said, as a general rule I don't begrudge adults for any of the harmless ways they choose to spend their time. If you think watching grown-ups in matching costumes playing ball like children or watching grown-up make boner and fart jokes while playing GTA with 12 year olds online, well neither of those are any of my concern and I'm just happy you've found something to occupy your time with that you find fulfilling even if I don't.
Yeah that’s the insecurity I spoke of in action. The scenario of the OP was adults speaking of adults. If people want to infer from my words that I’m teasing them because I think they are acting like children, then that’s on them.
The implication of your original message was that it's not something adults should partake in. You can say whatever you want, but if you can't see why people are downvoting you for asking your question in that way, I don't know that you can be helped.
It isn't just a question, it's straight up loaded with implications, most blatant one being to specifically stress 'adults' twice, as if it wasn't a question to you if it were children.
People watch people playing sports, telling jokes or funny stories, acting drama, dancing... playing games fits that list so seamlessly that I can't help but wonder wtf is wrong with someone asking why people would do it. It's blatantly obvious loads of people like watching something they find cool and isn't too mentally engaging, to wind down.
Don’t police my speech. It’s adults speaking of adults. That’s why I worded it that way. If you want to inject your own meaning into my words I can’t stop you, but fuck you for doing so.
Nobody in my life participates in that activity. There are others in these comments who also asked the question, so again, fuck you for assuming there is anything wrong with us.
If I wanted to make fun of people, I would do it. Look through my comment history, I’m not afraid to speak my mind.
I asked an honest question and you all decide to add your own subtext. I don’t care anymore. Fuck off.
We aren't policing your speech, we're saying your speech is making you come off as a douche. Context and the specific words you choose matter. If you're concerned about the downvotes, as you appear to be, that's why.
Nah that’s exactly what you’re doing. I’ve said it a bunch of times already and yet chuckle fucks like you still need to get your two cents in two days after the initial post, telling ME the meaning behind my words. I’ve said the meaning behind my words over and over again in here. I’ve given no reason for anyone to assume I’m not genuine.
Context? You mean, like the adults speaking of adults? Because that’s the context. Spin it all you want, but I’m right.
Read this if you want. If you respond with some BS response telling me what words that I write mean I’m just going to block you, so just walk on.
I don’t care, honestly. I’m taking a shit right now and reading lemmy.
So you spend the little free time you DO have watching someone else do it? That’s what I don’t get. I am no different; adult, don’t have much free time for video games anymore. With the little free time I can allocate to doing that, I’m sure as heck not going to watch someone else have the fun.
Ahh there it is. The actual beliefs. I knew there was a reason you chose the specific words you did!
Real answer, did you never enjoy watching a friend or sibling play something growing up? More so than actually playing it? Or sports? It's the same thing, sometime you wanna just chill and watch, not do.
I can get watching one's friends, I've glanced in on friends playing games with that Steam streaming thing to see how they're doing and what dumb decisions they're making. But strangers? Just alien to me.
I like watching some roguelikes or roguelites but I dont enjoy PLAYING those genres. I like to play a lot of games that involve thinking, problem solving, and creativity but sometimes I just want to turn off my brain and also see how other people approach games.
You also received downvotes because your question comes off as a bit crappy. If it were just a question you would have asked “why do people watch people play games?” But instead by singling out adults it comes off as an attack like playing or watching games is and immature activity which it is not. Whether or not that was your intention it will be viewed as such
TBH I do it for the community of the thing. If I'm watching someone doing something I enjoy, and someone else is watching at the same time, I tend to feel a little more fulfilled about the whole situation.
Theres more to it than that of course, sometimes you just want to have a fresh viewpoint at a game or may not like the genre but like the story or some mechanics. I typically do like more “competent” creators but thats more reserved for videos, on streams you can interact with the streamer in real time on their thoughts about the game. Also sometimes i just want to watch someone else drive because my brain too tired
Depends on the streamer. Some are really good at compartmentalizing things and can out-think me in games while still having conversation. Those are the real fun ones to watch.
Ah but I'm never watching livestreams, I like pre-prepared videos of interesting street layouts in Cities Skylines or weekly in-game discounts updates in GTA online.
Welcome to Lemmy. I agree with ya in that I don’t get it either. But you made the mistake of asking the kids why they like a specific toy. Not knowing makes you uncool. Think of it like being on Reddit:
I’ve said what I mean a bunch of times but apparently everybody else gets to decide what I mean when I type. So please, oh enlightened one, tell me what the meaning of my words are.
People choose specific words for a reason. Why did they use "adult" instead of "people"? There's an implication there, that this is an activity that doesn't need explaining if you're not an "adult" but does if you do. Can someone legitimately be asking that question, sure, but it absolutely comes across as loaded.
"Why do adults watch other adults play video games…?"
You are saying non of this is sarcastic? This question that seems clearly in bad faith? Because in my life I found out that everyone likes to be sarcastic but not many, maybe even none, likes to receive sarcasm.
Why do "adults" care how other people spend their free time? Seems like busy bodies with nothing going on in their own lives so they have to judge the bit of free time people have.
No one is shitting on you for asking a question. Let's take a look at how you could have asked the same question without coming across as judgemental:
"I don't understand streaming. Why do people watch others play games, instead of playing themselves?" - note, no loaded language implying that it's not a thing "adults" do. Note, you're clearly communicating that this is something you don't understand. I promise you, no one would be upset over that question. Phrasing matters.
I wondered the same for years but the answer is obvious : same people who enjoy watching other people play sports, or other people have sex, I guess. Personally I'd rather do the thing than watch somebody else, but yeah, you do you. And sometimes it's nice to watch the pros being good at it.
IDK but I would always rather watch a TV show or movie if I'm going to sit down for some passive entertainment like that. I haven't even watched half the seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm yet, for example, so that's going to be far more entertaining than hearing a nerd blab about what he's doing on a game.
Beyond that I would much rather play my own games than passively watch someone else play them. Why else would I have spent so much damn money on games?
so that’s going to be far more entertaining than hearing a nerd blab about what he’s doing on a game.
I don’t really like watching twitch streams either, but it’s lines like this that make it really hard to have these discussions. Because people always default to “nerds in their basement“ rhetoric. Twitch is worth a ton of money because millions of people enjoy watching people play games and it is full of all kinds of personalities. Yeah, there are other things people do on twitch, but that is the core of the business model: People watching people play video games. And for them it’s a blast!
Just because we don’t appreciate it doesn’t mean we should be dicks about it. It’s not like they’re hurting anybody. It’s just another form of entertainment. I don’t watch the NFL either, but I don’t spend my days bashing people who enjoy it. Life’s too short to spend it yucking someone else’s yum.
Well said. In a more deep sense, this is exactly what is wrong with our society right now. Our inability to see others doing different things and respecting it instead of criticizing it or making fun. If we all just allow others to do their thing (as long as it does not hurt anyone other than themselves) then we would all be a lot happier. Even the critizizing folk.