Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Professor of Allameh Tabatabai University
2 Allameh university
3 PhD student / Allameh Tabatabai University
Abstract
Abstract
Streaming is the live broadcasting of video game content on social networks. In a stream, the content producer entertains the audience by broadcasting live video from the game. This article categorizes Iranian streamers using the meta-game theory of jesper juul. Also, this article shows the differences between Iranian streamers in terms of audience and content. In this article, 15 famous streamers have been interviewed, and their live performances have been observed. In this study, four main categories and 10 subcategories were discovered. This study shows that streamers can be classified based on characteristics such as the type of content, target audience, way of communication with the audience, and goals and ideals of the streamer. This research observed three groups of streamers: the challenge (They focus on global honors), the Competitive (Looking to win over competitors), and the Leisure (They entertain their audience) of a game and gain global honors in the field of video games, competitive ones focus on winning the competition with other streamers, and leisure tend to create a kind of leisure for their audience by producing entertaining content.
Extended Abstract
Introduction:
Stream is the live broadcasting of content by a user to an audience. Statistics show that the number of streamers, audiences, and content produced has increased rapidly, and streaming is a new and growing medium. Twitch is the most famous streaming network in the world. In Iran, Aparat Game is also a domestic network for streaming. Iranian streamers operate on both platforms.
Streamers communicate with their audience by creating content. Content can include playing games, discussing games, discussing various topics, and the like. This content is broadcasted through Twitch or Aparat Game. Audiences also support streamers by donating money. Audiences watch streaming for various reasons: social interaction, a feeling of being in a community, meeting new people, entertainment, searching for information, and other reasons why audiences pay attention to streaming. The question of this article is what types of Iranian streamers can be classified based on the structure and content they produce and how each type of Iranian streamer provides content.
2- Methods:
Most researchers have used methods such as interviews and observation to investigate streamers' behavior and production content. Among the streamers, 67 popular and famous streams were selected. An invitation to participate in the interview was sent to them through the Instagram social network. Fifteen streams agreed to participate in the interview. In addition to the interview, 5 hours of each streamer's activity was also observed.
3- Results:
In this research, 10 subcategories were identified. These categories included the streaming platform, compliance with the rules, age status of the streamer, age of the audience, time of streaming, type of communication with the audience, type of game, method of presenting content, job status, and final ideal. These 10 subcategories were classified into 4 main categories. The main categories are context, communication, content, and personality.
Based on these categories, 3 types of streamers are identified. The first group is the Challenge. The Challenge is looking to win global honors, challenge video games, and do unusual and difficult tasks in games. Their audience honors them after every incredible work, is often silent, and does not play much of a role in the stream. They do not care about following the rules and often stream on Twitch. Their audience is young people and adults, and they play very hard video games. Streaming is their only job, and they dream of winning a world honor.
It is the Competitive streamer that focuses on defeating the rival. The Competitive seeks to win various competitions; the more he wins, the more successful he will be. His audience is also loud and noisy, like the viewers of sports competitions. They are excited during the streaming, happy with his victory, and sad about his loss. The amount of competitive income depends on his victories. They stream on both Aparat and Twitch. If their audience is young, they will stream on Aparat, but if they are young, they will stream on Twitch. Young children and adults are outside their audience. Their favorite games are battle royale style, and they dream of winning the world championship.
The Leisure is a streamer who does not think about winning or losing in the game. The leisure streamer only seeks to entertain his audience. Jokes, laughter, drama, and storytelling can be seen in his stream. The audience of the Leisure streamer watches his stream for fun, laughter, joy, and fun. Recreational streamers may be mediocre gamers, but they can entertain their audience. They have an intimate connection with their audience and often develop deep friendships between themselves and their fans. Children under 10 years old are among their audience.
For this reason, some of them choose Aparat as their streaming platform. They follow the rules more than others. In addition to streaming, there are also YouTubers and influencers. Their dream is to become famous and become a celebrity.
4- Conclusion:
Streamers are focused on meta-gaming. They understand that gaming and streaming is a social event. Each of the streamers tries to entertain their audience in their way. The challenge stream is like an artist's painting, unique and unrepeatable. The Competitive streamer focuses on winning and losing and is excited like a sports match. Like a TV show host, The Leisure seeks to entertain the audience. As streamers age and lose their ability to play video games, they may turn from challenging or competitive streamers into Leisure streamers and seek to entertain the audience more.
5- Funding
There is no funding support.
6- Authors' contributions The author declares no conflict of interest
7- Conflict of interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Keywords
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