Comments on: Videogames Become a Spectator Sport

By: William Newman

William Newman — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 19:33:12 +0000

I’ve never watched a computer game other than a few minutes watching friends or standing at a video arcade, but being serious about a game naturally makes it interesting to see the comments of knowledgeable people on a game. I’ve watched a few games of Go at tournaments with professional players offering commentary, which is interesting. And I’ve studied dozens of old games with professional commentary, which I find more convenient but which is fundamentally pretty similar. (It’s also pretty standard for reasonably serious Go players and Chess players.)

By: Space Nookie

Space Nookie — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 21:16:27 +0000

I find the watching experience to be relaxing, as opposed to playing which is more exciting. The time commitment is also a lot more flexible.

Article is misleading in that subscribers pay $5 monthly for the privilege of posting in the IRC channel associated with the stream. Otherwise it is free. The streamers generally watch the IRC channel and work that into their commentary.

By: Slovenian Guest

Slovenian Guest — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:28:49 +0000

For example, I never actually played Starcraft 2, but I did already watch over 100 matches of it over at Husky Starcraft. What I do play is OpenRA, a free, multi-platform, real time strategy game engine that allows the recreation of the early Command & Conquer titles.

By: Isegoria

Isegoria — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:57:52 +0000

I think the original Starcraft is the last computer game I played semi-seriously. While I can imagine watching it, I can’t imagine watching it much.

I’m an avid martial artist, I love BJJ, and I watch MMA. I agree that watching a sport is more entertaining — and instructive! — if you play the sport. (Ironically, I find sport BJJ hard to watch, but that’s a whole ‘nuther kettle of fish.)

By: Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 17:33:33 +0000

I occasionally play Starcraft 2. I occasionally watch pros play Starcraft 2.

I used to do BJJ. I watch MMA occasionally.

The two aren’t substitutes; they’re complements. When you’ve played a sport or game you can better appreciate the skill and technique that the pros take to the game and it makes watching the sport or game more enjoyable.