HereticSoul

Self Aware Numbers Station

@HereticSoul

HereticSoul/Naux, Mid 30's leftist-something, currently in Ohio. Talk to my face about tabletop games and giant robots, and tell me about your fursona.

18+ over at https://cohost.org/Nauxxx

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HereticSoul
@HereticSoul

Questions for folks who stream or watch streams

I have been streaming on and off for years, usually trending towards falling off a consistent schedule. There are things I could do to improve my consistency on my side (better night's sleep, get more efficient at work so days don't run late, etc.), but I've also struggled a bit with figuring out what I want to do on stream. The obvious answer is "play video games in a performative tone" but real talk, figuring out what sets me apart from anyone else can feel a bit discouraging.

I want to tackle that in a constructive way, though. I don't just want to think about "what drives numbers"; I want to try to get on a more consistent schedule but I also want to think about what I can do that makes for viewing that's something unique on its own. I've definitely considered what I'd do if I got into vtubing, but I also feel... I dunno. A bit of friction with that? I have absolutely nothing against v-tubers and I love seeing what people come up with for theirs, but I've felt weirdly resistant to doing it myself.

So I want to just ask candidly- who do y'all who stream enjoy doing while you stream? For y'all who watch streams, what are things that make for a fun viewing? I ask not just to get notes on how to chase views or engagement, but rather than keep making vague promises to get on a better schedule or bemoan frustration with scheduling or games, I want to try and think about this constructively. I want to try find ways to put my creative foot forward, whether that's through writing, or visual performance, or audio work.

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Cania
@Cania

i don't really watch streams but i do stream regularly for the past three months or so, so with the caveat that

the key for me was twofold:

  1. watching just enough streams to think about why i didn't like them.

i personally dislike noninteractive streams that are mostly just watching and chatting amongst the community. i love Events and Gimmicks and Big Stupid Ideas since they are really meant to be paid attention to rather than passively absorbed.

that lead me down the path of discovering Firebot and making a bunch of truly unhinged community rewards, like covering my screen in random stickers, thousands of random voice clips, and a system for randomizing the game i'm playing. I love building these systems then setting the audience loose upon them.

not saying that this is what you love! which leads me to the second point

  1. refining my aesthetic

i feel like i was very behind on this but over the past year i've taken a lot of time to figure out what my aesthetic is (neon glitchy cute nostalgia poison is about the best summary). i needed to do that before i could be interested in my own streams. my prior attempts at streaming were all aborted because i was bored with my own streams.

so yeah, playing games is a base for the things i really care about, which are interacting with the audience and overloading on my particular aesthetic choices. its been really nice for the past few months.

i hope this helps!!

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Ryyudo
@Ryyudo

The folks I enjoy watching the most are the folks who are most passionate about what they're doing. The folks who continue doing what they're doing because it's meaningful to them. Even when they're tired, frustrated, or rambling, their passion and appreciation shines through. So much so that I can share their emotion even if I don't share the core activity.

The combo of enthusiasm and authenticity really goes far for me. I feel if someone is passionate, they put forth that effort to show up as best they can and can give their 100.

To add: A streamer can be very passionate about what they're doing, but if it doesn't shine in their interactions with the audience I quickly lose interest. E.g. verbalized dropping view counts, very lean responses especially to legitimate questions, etc..

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