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Recently, I've caught myself in the chance to explain #TTRPGs, #Twitch, (@Hyper_RPG specifically) to various adults and teachers. This thread is long, but pretty much encompasses everything I've been telling them. I teach middle school. We want to connect with the students, but,
More often than not, there's a disassociation. Adults still watch TV, while kids don't. Not like they used to. They watch their screens and whatever they can stream from there. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Twitch... Lately, I've been connected more with the kids than many adults.
When asked what I watch I list some of the popular shows, but often I list TTRPGs. I get more out of these RPGs than I do with most tv shows. TV's gotten stale, predictable, repetitive. There's a few gems, often ones streamed (Haunting of Hill House, Marvelous Mrs Maisel)
But RPGs; they are the opposite of predictable! Their very essence is to be anything BUT predictable and that's what keeps me coming back week after week. Cliffhangers GALORE. Yes they can be long but you can't tell me you haven't spent 2-3 hrs a night in front of a TV?
The best part? When you get to MAKE the change in the story. How many times have you sat with your friends or SO, and thought "I would have done this differently," or "I wish they'd try this thing." There are shows / channels out there that do this. (@Hyper_RPG)
And that is HUGE! I feel invested, like I had an actual influence on the story and the characters. They become far more "real" and relatable and "human." Even if you just hang out in the chat and comment what you think, it's plausible someone will actually MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Yes most of these audience participation things are monetary, but even without giving money, the communities are so supportive, they work to make things happen. They care. They WORK TOGETHER. Because in the end, it's just that; a community that builds stories together.
RPGs are about storytelling. Having a channel like @Hyper_RPG where I, the viewer can help shape those stories is insurmountably valuable and rare. Because where TV is failing, is where streamers are thriving. You don't need costumes or special effects to make a story.
You need storytellers, contributors, and people who care and enjoy what they do. The other stuff is just fluff. Give me a group of people who listen to my ideas and thoughts and can turn them into a story worth remembering. Then I'm good.
So this why I watch #TTRPG instead of TV. It's unpredictable, it's constantly evolving, it's inclusive, it's relevant, and it's a community. You can see chemistry between players and GMs, you get captivating stories, and you sometimes shape those stories. Why do you watch?
