"Let's Play"
The term “Let’s Play” has been one that has only appeared in recent years, and in the past couple really become a household term for gamers around the world. A Let’s Play or an LP is basically a commentary series of videos of a player or players showcasing a game of their choice and making it viewable for the public to see. This usually various from walkthroughs with a specific instructional aim to it, and is more about the commentators and the game itself. From that statement though it seems there are two types of LP, and both are drastically different. I am here to discuss them both.
If you go onto Youtube and search for an LP then you will probably find a ton of results. Most of these are a person playing a game like they would a live show and try to be entertaining, funny, clever, etc and by the end of a series you’ve really connected to this player and feel like they are your friend. You grow attached to the personality they are portraying and it fits right into the YouTube community as a lot of the top subscribed are about their personalities and who they are.
The other type of LP I only recently learned about from a site called “Something-Awful” and let me tell you it was a great learning experience. On their I found out they do LPs very differently and I got quite the scolding for it. I didn’t follow their “rules” when I posted by own, and I understand the backlash it had on me. During this though I learned what the other form of commentating is like. It focuses more on the game and less on the commentator. It’s like you are trying to sell the game, but not. You really want the player to experience and feel this journey with you, and not just look at it from the stands. Instead of being on the bleachers watching and being entertained, you’re there with the person and sometimes even feeling like you’re the only whose playing entirely. It’s a very different experience then the typical Youtube series.
The point of this article is to let people know that there are more then one type of LP. I know many people already understand that there is, but I know there are many who don’t. I’ve found that the first kind is more crazy and spontaneous and filmed on one go. The other seems to be created with extreme passion and love for the game and it definitely feels and shows that difference. Both are unique in their own way, and I hope this helps opens your eyes to a new side of entertainment.