Let's play
Let's Play ( English for "Let's play"; abbreviated: LP ) describes the demonstration and commentary on playing a computer game . This is usually recorded like a screencast and uploaded to video portals or transmitted to live streaming portals.
definition
In contrast to complete solutions, the focus is not on playing through a game, but on the individual gaming experience of the player. The Let's Play is accompanied by commentary, which also gives it an entertaining character. Often this entertaining character is even more important for viewers than the choice of the game itself.
The originally defining element of interactivity with the audience is no longer used by some Let's Players. The majority, however, is based on suggestions for topics or suggestions from users in the video comments on the portals in order to actively involve users in the videos.
In order to differentiate it from the Commentary format, it has become common practice that a video is only referred to as Let's Play if the moderation is recorded live while it is being played. Some Let's Plays are played "blind", which means that the player is playing the game for the first time and therefore does not know the solution. It is also common for someone else to play with or comment on the moderator. This kind of Let's Play is called Let's Play Together .
In addition to the classic Let's Plays, there is still the option of showing the audience certain facts. In doing so, game sequences that are usually considered problematic are specifically selected or complex courses of action are visually displayed. This type of showing is called Let's Show (from English to show "to show").
History and popularity
The term "Let Us Play" first appeared on the Something Awful website in 2006 . For this purpose, forum threads were created in which the player posted screenshots of the game progress with his comments. The other forum members could reply directly to it and suggest what the player should do next. The first known Let's Play in video form with live commentary was started on January 5, 2007 by Something Awful user Michael Sawyer.
In the following years the concept became more popular and YouTube soon established itself as a platform for Let's Plays. Here they now make up a not insignificant part of the video views. For example, PewDiePie, known for its horror Let's Plays, is currently one of the most subscribed YouTube channels worldwide. The best-known representatives of this scene in German-speaking countries include Erik Range (alias Gronkh ), PietSmiet , Valentin Rahmel (alias Sarazar ) and Felix von der Laden (alias Dner ).
The top 10 most subscribed German-speaking Let's Play channels are:
| space | channel | Subscribers | Videos | Video views | Channel link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gronkh | 4.9 million | 12,936 | 3,227 million | Channel link |
| 2 | Palutes | 3.8 million | 5,584 | 2,960 million | Channel link |
| 3 | GermanLetsPlay | 3.4 million | 6,350 | 2,044 million | Channel link |
| 4th | rewinside | 3.2 million | 4,299 | 1,769 million | Channel link |
| 5 | Standard skill | 2.8 million | 1,768 | 1,228 million | Channel link |
| 6th | PietSmiet | 2.4 million | 23,381 | 2,680 million | Channel link |
| 7th | Arazhul | 2.0 million | 2,336 | 1,740 million | Channel link |
| 8th | Sarazar | 1.9 million | 4,397 | 602 million | Channel link |
| 9 | Zombey | 1.9 million | 5,803 | 881 million | Channel link |
| 10 | HandOfBlood | 1.9 million | 2,098 | 676 million | Channel link |
As of July 31, 2020
Legal situation
The videos, initially created mainly by fans, are often viewed by game manufacturers as free advertising for the product and are specifically supported by individual creators with test samples . The problem of possible copyright infringements , however, has mostly been ignored so far. Most game publishers issue a declaration of tolerance upon request, with which the Let's Player obtains the right to upload videos of a certain game and possibly even monetize them . However, this tolerance is not yet a legally binding declaration, so the publishers are free to revoke it at any time.
As part of a partnership with a gaming network such as B. machinima or BroadbandTV Network , there is the presumption that legal protection with regard to the infringement of copyright has been repealed, since licensing takes place via the networks. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed, so that a personal inquiry with the respective publisher is initially the safer way.
By profits on advertising revenue, the possibility of full employment results in individual cases now by the production of Let's-play videos.
In March 2017, based on the YouTube channel PietSmiet used to stream Let's Plays , the State Agency for Media in North Rhine-Westphalia argued that such offers should be classified as broadcasting because it was an information service whose content could not be influenced by the user and who follow a broadcast schedule. As a broadcasting service, this and comparable channels are subject to the supervision of the state media authorities and are subject to the principles of youth and consumer protection , for example . As a result of this approach, the Rhineland-Palatinate state government suggested a new regulation of the legal basis, which ensures both "clear responsibilities for compliance with important standards - human dignity, youth protection and advertising rules" as well as "media pluralism and diversity, the liberal and democratic media system ”.
Individual evidence
- ↑ David Finniss: What is a "Let's Play?" In: Yahoo Voices. Yahoo News Network, November 18, 2009, archived from the original on July 29, 2014 ; accessed on January 14, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Michael Sawyer: Did I Start Let's Play? January 30, 2013, archived from the original on December 17, 2013 ; Retrieved January 20, 2014 .
- ↑ Top 50 Youtubers by Subscribed - Socialblade
- ↑ “Let's play” videos enjoy cult status at ksta.de, March 9, 2012 (accessed June 28, 2012).
- ^ "Let's Play" stars Gronkh and Sarazar at spiegel.de, October 22, 2012 (accessed October 22, 2012)
- ^ Dner's YouTube channel
- ↑ Playnation.de
- ↑ Top 100 YouTubers from Germany sorted by subscribers
- ↑ Kai Seuthe: Das Let's Play Book , 2013, pages 12-15
- ^ "Let's Play" videos: Gambling for tens of thousands at spiegel.de, January 30, 2012 (accessed on June 28, 2012).
- ↑ Michael Hanfeld: "First the gamers, then the whole Internet" Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of March 28, 2017
- ^ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH: Broadcasting license for Youtubers ?: We need a new media law. August 24, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017 .