What to Stream, What to Stream?

Game type is important for my personality. I like playing all sorts of games. However, I’ve primarily lived in the first-person-shooter (FPS) world. Those were the games I liked the most growing up and I was generally pretty good at them. I still like them today. Other types of games I like are usually puzzle or platforming games. Some strategy games. My favorite of these varieties is Zelda and Mario games, as well as many Nintendo classics.

When streaming, puzzle and platforming games are just more fun to play. I have fun with FPS games, but there isn’t as much strategy or thought-process going into shooter games than there are puzzle games. I like to explain where I’m going and what I’m doing and how I’m thinking about it. It’s a lot hard when I’m playing the same FPS map on repeat. The competition is interesting, but I’m not as interesting. I don’t have as much to talk about, especially when no one is in my chat watching me. Why does that matter?

Talking, even when no one is watching is important both for when people show up, but also for practice. I can easily get lost in the competition of an FPS game. With puzzle games, I can take my time, explain, think, and SAY all the things that are going on. I can pause and address the chat if needed. Frankly, saying things out loud when solving a puzzle actually helps me solve it.

When I don’t have a lot of followers or viewers, I think engagement is the most important part of streaming, and I engage better with certain games. I think that’s my goal moving forward, to play the kinds of games that give me the opportunity to engage in chat. Maybe, just maybe if I get a good following, I’d venture into FPS while people in chat comment and talk amongst themselves. I’m not at that point in my stream yet so I’ll probably avoid it for the most part. FPS competitive.

I’ve been streaming Zelda: Breath of the Wild so far and it’s been fun. I want to keep on the Zelda track for a while, so I will probably get a switch and play some other Zelda games too after this. Zelda: Links Awakening is going to be my next game. It looks like a ton of fun.

All that being said, there are a variety of opinions on WHAT people should stream. “Stream what you like.” “Stream popular games.” “Stream Indie unique games.” I’d say it probably differs based on the streamer, and is likely a combination of things that should determine this. Luckily, even though I love FPS games, I love streaming puzzle games. So that’s the focus…for now.

Until something else sways my opinion. Or the stats say otherwise.