Stride and Saunter

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Episode 127: For Non-Gamers — Let's Play Controversies

In the 21st century, many content creation tools are increasingly accessible and user-friendly. As a result, platforms like YouTube have become especially popular as means of distributing music, news commentary and other video content. Fans of video games have gravitated towards "Let's Plays" which feature extensive playthroughs of games that are popular, fascinating or under the radar altogether. This week, Phoebe Lewis returns to help us examine the gray area surrounding Let's Plays. They represent content created by video game developers but altered by gameplay and additional commentary and information. Why do we judge those who watch gamers and not those who watch sports or other reproducible events? Do creators have a right to claim revenue and ownership of this new multimedia product? Is it an authentic means of advertising an interesting product? How can our understanding of video games as non-linear media be applied to creations like films and books which often have a straightforward means of consumption?

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Episode 127: For Non-Gamers — Let's Play Controversies Kip Clark and Phoebe Lewis

Further Reading:

Stride & Saunter, For Non-Gamers: Stigma

Stride & Saunter, For Non-Gamers: Gone Home

Stride & Saunter, For Non-Gamers: Let's Plays

Forbes, "Another Reason Why YouTube's Video Game Copyright Crackdown Doesn't Make Sense"

Gamasutra, "All Your Nintendo Let's Plays Are Belong To Nintendo?"

Forbes, "Blizzard, Capcom, Ubisoft And More Rally Behind Copyright-Afflicted YouTubers"