It's kind of like seduction in a way. You wanna have the really good quality and framerate to grasp viewers attention, then you gotta talk to them and let them know who you are and what you have to offer.

aidnai

United States1159 Posts

May 01 2011 02:37 GMT

#62

i think high level play is the most important. I tend to prefer players that play for longer games, i.e. upgrade and expo heavy styles. I also really like innovative play.

In terms of interaction, I like being entertained, so catz is my FAVOURITE by a long shot.
Here's the streams I watch and the key highlight for me.
Catz - extremely innovative, absolutely love his music, his explanations (when he gives them) and game/replay analysis (when he does them), and when he sings it just makes me happy. He has so much fun, it's impossible not to have fun watching him.
Pokebunny, Select, Kawaiirice - high level terran (I'm terran) laddering. No weak matchups, they each have an aggressive fearless mobile and expo heavy style which I like a lot. I especially like these streams because I want to emulate their playstyles.
minigun - similar to above, but protoss. I watch this dude because he's a boss.
spanishiwa - Extremely innovative and unusual play, also very high level.
Idra, whitera - High level play. I don't particularly like their streams (stream quality kinda sketch...) but i'll tune in for the big names sometimes.
Cruncher, hashe, fargo, maker, sheth, slush, others - high level laddering, but I don't watch these streams as much I think because I just haven't become attached to their personalities i think.

Many other streams I simply won't enjoy if it's not high level enough. Like watching triple A baseball instead of the major leagues.

Kaitlin

United States2958 Posts

May 01 2011 04:43 GMT

#63

What I like about a stream depends, actually on the streamer. I like watching iNcontroL's and MrBitter's coaching sessions, but less so when they ladder, although I'll watch iNcontroL ladder sometimes. I like watching Destiny both ladder and coach because he's entertaining and I learn by his interaction. His "personality" is entertaining as well. I'll watch TotalBiscuit only because he's entertaining as hell. His games are crazy, he's not very good at the game, but is extremely fun to watch. I won't learn anything from watching him though. I've just started watching Artosis because he's pretty nice, I can learn from him, and he interacts.

My advice. Just be yourself and be entertaining, whether it's interaction with the viewers, creative or silly strategies, or comments on your game. There will be people to watch for many reasons, so just try to do what you enjoy most.

densha

United States797 Posts

May 01 2011 05:19 GMT

#64

On May 01 2011 04:06 Pokebunny wrote:

Show nested quote +

What's the difference between ladder and practice games with teammates? I find you usually get much more interesting games with teammates.

The main difference for me is that when it's a ladder game, I get the sense that it's a serious match. I just don't feel the same assurance that custom games against friends or team-mates are being taken as seriously as ladder games. There's a chance that the game is "just for fun" or "relaxed" and that's not what I want to see.

I don't know if I fully explained that well enough, but it just boils down to the fact that for better or worse, many of us take the ladder seriously, therefore those are the games I want to see since something is on the line (even if it's just ladder points and pride).

BrenttheGreat

United States150 Posts

May 01 2011 05:29 GMT

#65

I hate when a streamer checks their ranking after every game and pats themselves on the back all day for being "#1 in the world."

Oasx

Denmark72 Posts

May 01 2011 05:29 GMT

#66

If a stream has music playing i always turn it off, ingame music is fine of course, but there is nothing more annoying than opening a stream and then hearing really loud obnoxious metal.

Engore

United States1916 Posts

May 01 2011 05:35 GMT

#67

As far as the interaction with the streamers goes, i like to watch people who talk about there thought process. You, for example, do it a lot. Sheth does it as well. But some players, incontrol for example, will occasionally talk while playing just depending on how he is doing. Also watching coaching sessions is nice but sometimes it can be a little boring.

On the last poll (what sort of games) i prefer any, besides 2v2/3v3/4v4 unless its something like TL attack or some fun event like that. Never seen many practice matches with clanmates go down, usually i think most people like to keep these private because of certain strategy work.

Good topic i was just thinking about this sort of topic earlier today! Glad someone made this topic!

faulty

Canada204 Posts

May 01 2011 05:48 GMT

#68

I'd just like to say that I don't like when music is playing because I play my own, so I generally keep streams muted, but then I miss out when streamers have something to say. so maybe keep the music volume down relative to voice/game sound? idk

Amandil

United States58 Posts

May 01 2011 05:59 GMT

#69

While there's too many options to probably poll i'd be interested to see what kind of music sits well with the majority of the viewership. And if the music is low in relation to the rest of the sound how much would this effect peoples viewing experience. Music seems to be pretty big on how much people enjoy streams, but i feel peoples tastes will be too various to try to please most of the audience.

Alphonsse

United States518 Posts

May 01 2011 07:41 GMT

#70

I usually really dislike when the streamer is in a vent / skype call. Talking to viewers is cool, but listening to a random conversation is annoying for me, so I'll mute it.

I like watching ladder because of the randomness of the opponents, also it makes it more interesting when the opponent is well known / someone I've played / someone the streamer hates

BasilPesto

Australia624 Posts

May 01 2011 07:50 GMT

#71

On May 01 2011 03:45 Pokebunny wrote:

Poll: Do you mind harsh profanity/racism/insulting on a stream?

A bit, it's okay in moderation, but not too often (592)

52%

No! I find it hilarious, keep it coming! (361)

32%

Yes! I really dislike when the streamer doesn't show respect to others (185)

16%

1138 total votes

Your vote: Do you mind harsh profanity/racism/insulting on a stream?

(Vote): Yes! I really dislike when the streamer doesn't show respect to others
(Vote): A bit, it's okay in moderation, but not too often
(Vote): No! I find it hilarious, keep it coming!

I don't think lumping racism in with BM/profanity/insults is right.

Kinslayer

United States129 Posts

May 01 2011 07:54 GMT

#72

Since you asked for feedback (great idea), here's mine:

- Profanity. I don't *mind* it per se, but it limits my ability to watch the stream depending on where I am. If I am at home and the kids are around, I will not watch it since I don't want them to hear it. I like to watch streams at work on my second monitor, if you swear a lot, I won't watch that stream there. Otherwise, I don't care. So the less the profanity, the more people in my context of life (kids, etc) will just leave it on more.

- Music. I love game sounds. So I won't mute ever. I can tolerate most music (gets hard sometimes for a Metal guy like me). But take Huk's stream for instance, I just can't watch it. I would LOVE to, but I just can't handle the music. I try to mute, but then I am not enjoying it. So I just don't watch it

I just wanted to add that I really appreciate the streams guys. They are a very big part of my day and I am grateful for your effort.

MrSexington

United States1768 Posts

May 01 2011 07:56 GMT

#73

On May 01 2011 14:29 BrenttheGreat wrote:
I hate when a streamer checks their ranking after every game and pats themselves on the back all day for being "#1 in the world."

For the people that do that, I don't think they're being serious about the self-congratulations. They all know that when they go to sleep and wake up again, it'll be all gone. I don't see anything wrong with having a short-term goal for the day and accomplishing it.

Dubz

United States242 Posts

May 01 2011 07:58 GMT

#74

I like how the number of votes for each poll gets lower the farther down the list it gets, gotta love ADD in our generation.. lol

ALPINA

3791 Posts

May 01 2011 08:00 GMT

#75

For me high level of play most important, I don't care about anything else.

Take IdrA - he never comments, his music is awful (for me), but I enjoy his stream most.

sCuMBaG

United Kingdom1144 Posts

May 01 2011 08:05 GMT

#76

two things:

- in what universe are laddergames more interesting than tournament games...

- why do so many people like that crappy and damn bad electronic shit, streamers call music. i turn the stream off immediately, if I hear something remotely electronig. and no... mute doesn't suffice.

3772

Czech Republic434 Posts

May 01 2011 08:21 GMT

#77

There should be an adblock poll I think.

Megaliskuu

United States5123 Posts

May 01 2011 08:59 GMT

#78

Also a poll on age, I like all my streamers 13 and under.

<3 Pokebunny

Bosu

United States3247 Posts

May 01 2011 09:06 GMT

#79

I think sheth has by far the best stream right now. Talks throughout his games, insanely good, answers questions, talks strategy and is just interesting.

Rabiator

Germany3948 Posts

May 01 2011 11:24 GMT

#80

On May 01 2011 05:29 Mastermind wrote:
I often will turn streams off because of bad music. I have no interest in watching a stream muted, because I hate watching without game sounds.
Profanities and racism dont bother me at all. I dont mind the streamer saying harsh thinks about their opponents on stream, but I dont care for them actually typing bm things to their opponents.

Dito ... I dont watch a stream to listen to music (even if I am lucky and it is great) and game sounds plus the streamers voice are what makes a great stream.

There are several versions of great streams and none is "better than the other", simply because humans have different tastes. Music however can be annoying and thus make people turn off the stream, but "music fans" wont become attracted to the stream due to the music. So music is really bad for the viewer numbers unless it is some "nondescript music" like the BW soundtrack or something similar ... on a very low level.