This study found that many of those who watch YouTube gaming enjoy watching the videos for many different reasons aside from relaxation, and other factors which connect the interviewed subjects.
Some of the subjects mentioned that they watched it to vicariously play a certain game or games through that gamer, because they did not have enough money to afford it and/or were not allowed to play because of their age. Specifically, they said, “I mostly watch it because, I mostly don’t have the money to buy certain games, so I watch them to see what they look like since I won’t get them until my birthday or Christmas, when I normally get them”. When asked why they started, the same person stated “It mostly started because I found games that were out of my age range, so I found enjoyment in watching others play it”. Another subject that was interviewed said something similar, “Because sometimes they are playing games that I can’t get”.
All three subjects that were interviewed also stated that they enjoy watching Commentaries, which are where the YouTuber talks to the audience as they play the game. One of the subjects said that they “enjoy the commentaries, and the overall feel of the video (...)”. Another said that they “like their charisma” and “how they interact with the fans and the game at the same time”. One talked about how they made a connection, and how “it’s kinda interesting to see other people’s reactions to the game, and it just makes me happy that I found other people who have a similar interest”.
Each of the interviewed subjects also stated that they began watching gaming content on YouTube at a younger age. One subject stated they started “Since [they were] 11, so around 6 years ago”. Another subject, not as confidently, stated they began watching gaming content on YouTube around 2011, and continues to do so six years later. One mentioned that they watched gaming content for about ten years, beginning since they were 12 years old. Of course, the exact type may have changed over the years, however the genre stayed about the same.