«Let's Play!»: Watching others play?

So-called Let's Players are all the rage among teenagers. But what do young people like about watching others play video games? And what does this mean for parents?

Daniel's mum is annoyed. She has only just managed to prise her 13-year-old son away from the games console. Now he's on his smartphone. «What are you doing?» she asks him. «I'm just having a quick look at this video.» She looks over his shoulder: «Is that a video about a computer game?» - «Yes, a Let's Play!» is the answer. «You've only just played it! And it doesn't look like it's a game for thirteen-year-olds. Switch off your mobile phone now!» Daniel sighs extra loudly and puts his smartphone to one side.

Screams of terror and clenched teeth

Like Daniel, millions of young people watch so-called Let's Plays. Let's Play means «let's play». These are videos in which games are demonstrated and commented on. You watch other players play. The forerunners of this trend were the images published in 2006 by gamers in the forum of the US website «Something Awful» from games they had played. The other forum participants were able to respond directly to them and give suggestions on how the players should continue to act.
With the increasing popularity of the video portal YouTube, the idea of filming and commenting on the entire course of a game was born.
Today, players usually also film themselves. This means that viewers not only hear the commentary, but also see the player's reactions to the action: clenched teeth in tricky scenes and brief screams of terror when something unexpected happens. The special thing about Let's Plays is that they are played live. That means here: The player has never played the game before and experiences all the situations for the first time together with the viewer.

Suddenly emerging trend

What started out as a bit of fun for a few dozen viewers has become a trend with millions of viewers in recent years, especially among teenagers. 50 per cent of all Let's Play viewers are between 13 and 17 years old. Young adults aged between 18 and 25 make up the second largest group at around 30 per cent. So the audience is young. And something else is striking: Depending on estimates and surveys, 70 to 80 per cent of viewers are male.

Let's Play as a decision-making aid?

Parents are concerned about the trend. Most of them are already sceptical about games. Now they are asking themselves: does it make sense for my child to passively consume videos about computer games instead of at least being active themselves and finding creative solution strategies in a game? «In the rarest of cases, Let's Plays are only watched without being played,» says Isabel Willemse, media psychologist at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), putting this into perspective. She continues: «They usually serve as a decision-making aid as to whether you should get the game, or you learn tricks and tips here.» This statement is consistent with surveys of young Let's Play viewers. Other reasons for consuming video games could be a lack of time or too little pocket money for the latest game.

Interpassivity is also popular with adults.

Viewers derive just as much pleasure from passive watching as from active action. Interpassivity (i.e. delegated enjoyment) is also very well known among adults. For example, many people watch a football match on television instead of running across the pitch themselves.

Who controls the content of the Let's Play videos?

However, it becomes problematic when kids watch videos about games that are not appropriate for their age. "It is impossible to check the approximately 400 hours of video material uploaded to YouTube every minute for age ratings. Therefore, the protection of minors is not guaranteed by the provider (YouTube). This makes it all the more important for parents," explains Isabel Willemse.
However, it's not just the games that can be problematic, but also the influence of the Let's Players - i.e. the players themselves. For example, PewDie-Pie, the world's most popular Let's Player with 57 million subscribers on YouTube, has recently attracted attention with racist comments.

Always in a good mood and slightly overexcited - but independent?

One reason for the success of a Let's Play that should not be underestimated is the personality of the Let's Player. «The videos have to be funny,» says Daniel. In fact, the most successful Let's Players are similar in their moderation style. They are always in a good mood, slightly over-excited, talk a lot and make funny comments and faces.
This goes down very well with young people. A veritable star cult has therefore developed around the most successful Let's Players. Surveys show that around 75 per cent of followers are convinced that Let's Players express their own, independent opinion.
This is probably mostly the case with unknown Let's Players. However, you can be sceptical about the most popular Let's Players who earn their money with their videos. This is because game manufacturers have long since recognised the channels of the most popular Youtubers as an excellent advertising opportunity. There are free games and hardware, product placement, PR campaigns and advertising contracts. How independent will these Let's Players be?
Let's Players are role models, many young people emulate them. In addition to passive watching, many kids want to create their own Let's Plays. In this way, they share their experiences with like-minded people, act as experts on their favourite game and are part of a community from which, ideally, there are many «likes» as confirmation.

"How can you programme a game like UNO so badly?" Let's Player Gronkh in action.

Let's Players are in a legal grey area.

But what is the legal situation? At present, most game manufacturers tolerate the use of their games for Let's Plays, as they consider the advertising value to be high. But the games and the moving images remain their property. Let's Players find themselves in a legal grey area when they record or even change game material. Particular caution is required with regard to copyright when it comes to music. Some Youtubers have already been confronted with warning costs because they used songs by their music stars for their self-produced videos. If in doubt, it is always better to check with manufacturers once too often.

To the author:

Stephan Petersen ist studierter Historiker und freier Journalist. Zu seinen Themen gehören unter anderem Videospiele und Familie. Er ist Vater zweier Kinder im Alter von sieben und elf Jahren.
Stephan Petersen is a qualified historian and freelance journalist. His topics include video games and family. He is the father of two children aged seven and eleven.

Tips for parents:

  • The age limit for YouTube is 13 years. The Youtube Kids app is a child-friendly alternative.
  • Activate «Restricted mode» in the settings on the YouTube website. This blocks content that is inappropriate for children. Caution: The filter does not offer one hundred per cent security.
  • If possible, do not leave children alone with YouTube, as the next video is always played immediately and they quickly end up with content that is not suitable for children.
  • Discuss with the children and young people what they watch on YouTube.
  • Teaching children and young people media skills so that they can deal with the content they see in the right way. Critically examine the statements and moral concepts of their favourite Let's Players.
  • Discuss the sources of income of your favourite Let's Player together and question the objectivity of Let's Players. Classic video game magazines are good alternatives for game reviews.
  • Educate kids who want to create their own Let's Plays about copyrights (games and music).