The Game of Performing Play: Understanding Streaming as Cultural Production
summary
A qualitative analysis of 240 forum threads (1,895 posts from 116 authors, 30 regulars) examines how streaming stitches together assembling technology (hardware, layout, and Open Broadcaster Software), building community (networking, branding, moderation) and adopting a gameplay persona (performance vs. play). Findings show tight viewership concentration (e.g., League of Legends top eight streams capture roughly half category viewers), tension between dashboard metrics and intangible rewards, and two design levers: rethink visible metrics and strengthen community moderation.
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chapters (10)
- 0:00Introduction to streaming
- 1:08Previous research on streaming
- 2:55Capital in streaming fields
- 4:41Three streaming activities
- 7:29Building community practices
- 8:32Gameplay persona as performance
- 10:41Metrics and tensions in streaming
- 12:07Design considerations for streaming
- 13:51Future research directions
- 14:12Q&A session
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