How I started watching Let's Plays

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QuizKnock: The coziest channel on YouTube

The QuizKnock Therapy

I wasn't very familiar with YouTube until a few years ago. One of the only channels I was actually watching was QuizKnock.

QuizKnock

QuizKnock is an educational channel run by a bunch of guys from the University of Tokyo and other prestigious universities. They utilise fun quizzes to provide learning opportunities for everyone.

I think that the Japanese katakana word クイズ (quiz) has a slightly different meaning than the original English word. I'm not going to deep dive into this particular word in this article, but QuizKnock is worth subscribing if you're interested.

I watch this channel because it is one of the coziest YouTube channels out there. Smart people are so good at entertaining people without negatively stirring people's emotions. I know it sounds weird but I watch these intelligent guys compete with each other to keep my mind at ease.

Other typical Japanese YouTubers felt like they were targeting younger generations and I kind of hesitated to go visit their pages.

I now watch gaming channels almost every day, but I still start my evening routine with QuizKnock. I'm home from work, Takushi!

They have a gaming channel too: GameKnack

GameKnack isn't your average gaming channel. Why is it so satisfying to watch smart people play random video games? Their commentary doesn't always seem to be intended for providing us with knowledge, but they still make their videos a fantastic learning opportunity without sounding too challenging.

It didn't feel like a gaming channel because it is so unique from other Let's Play videos in many ways. Now, what made me start to watch gameplay channels?

It's always boys.

A kawaii game: Untitled Goose Game

I spent about one year subscribing QuizKnock and no other channels.

That's when a guy friend told me about an indie game: Untitled Goose Game.

I opened the game for the first time in a year for this article.

The goose is so kawaii and the English title is just perfect. It's pleasing and satisfying to read it out loud.

"This game is so kawaii. It's a perfect game for you." (You don't know how much I hate this translation)

That was the beginning of everything. Don't tell me I'm easy. That's racist.

Outsourcing gameplay: 2BRO.

The game sounded fun, but it felt a bit too challenging for me. I had a tamagotchi when I was in elementary school, but I hadn't had much chance to play games since then.

I'd probably feel frustrated when the game requires extreme finger movement to control the goose… That's how I decided to watch gameplay videos instead of actually playing it.

I didn't have to do it, but I thought maybe I could at least talk about the game with him because I'm definitely not an easy Japanese girl.

One of the most popular gaming channels in Japan:  2BRO

There were many videos of Untitled Goose Game, but the name of the person playing it in this video caught my mind. The guy's name is 弟者 (おとじゃ / Otojya). It literally means "little brother," but the word has this ninja vibe and it sounds so cute. It's somehow satisfying to call his name out loud.

I would've felt frustrated if I played by myself, but it didn't happen because, of course, he was a professional. The videos were just so cozy.

I wonder whether people watch 2BRO for the same reason I watch QuizKnock. Not all games they play are like the UGG, so maybe not. But I know that some people like exhausted office workers in Japan enjoy 2BRO therapy.

The Goose was an invitation to the world of Let's Play videos.

Next Article:
#02 (Link to be shared later)

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