Games That Aren’t So Video
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Photo source: Tyler Cooke
Most people think there is only one thing people play on YouTube: video games. But that isn’t entirely true. There are a variety of games played on YouTube, ranging from classic board games, to full on role-playing games, or even trading-card games. These experiences are distinctly different from traditional video game Let’s Plays, as they usually require more than one participant and a different type of recording set up. This does make the market for these experiences more niche, however there is still a large audience for it.
One of the YouTubers that I watch for role-playing content is itmeJP who streams Dungeons & Dragons. He has a variety of guests and other YouTubers who play alongside him, engaging in rowdy adventures. This kind of content is obviously difficult to schedule, so episodes are broken into hour-long chunks, and are not frequent. However, this is no less enjoyable because of these issues, and is actually one of the most enjoyable things to watch because of the various personalities involved in its production.
This is an introductory video to one of my favourite role playing game series on YouTube.
Here's a taste of what the Co-optional lounge has to offer. *Warning strong language
Another channel of note is TotalBiscuit, who hosts the Co-Optional lounge where he and a group of friends gather to play board games online. This is usually streamed from multiple viewpoints, which allows for interesting results, as different information will be presented from each viewpoint. This leads to general board-game shenanigans, which is what this content is all about; friends having fun and interacting with each other.
The audience appeal is broad. There are so many types to choose from, and entertaining people to watch, that it is almost inevitable that one show will pique your interest. While similar to gaming, it is usually a more concentrated experience that can get pretty intense, and sociable, even though you don’t do any of the talking.
I enjoy watching this type of content every once in a while, as it is quite fun. I get to see a wide variety of games that I would otherwise not know about, and learn more advanced role-playing tactics. This is certainly different from normal content, but because of that, it allows for a unique experience. If you don’t have friends available, or just want to learn about a new game before buying it, board-game channels are a fun time.
Tyler Cooke
Tyler Cooke hails from the small town of Alliston, Ontario, right outside of Barrie. He is known as a quiet individual, but also as the most boisterous character in class, depending on the day. His hobbies include reading, playing tabletop games, scouring Tumblr for memes, and of course playing video games.
