Is it cheating if you learn to play better watching other gamers?

[Misery]

I am shocked. I did not know this was a thing. I thought they were all individuals making videos because they wanted to and were saying what they thought. I never knew they .. could be paid to make a positive review video. I said it before but I am shocked. This will take a few days to settle. People paid on YouTube to say what they are saying. I am not being sarcastic, I really mean it, it never occurred to me. They seem so natural and honest. I am not well prepared as an adult. Maybe I am more than I think since I have my own apartment and I am okay, I must know how to do some things but I have been watching YouTube for years and years and never knew some people were doing commercials.

Yes, it can happen, but there are a couple of things you can look for.

For instance, if you're ever watching something like that and someone goes "Okay it's time to talk about our sponsor, THIS GAME OVER HERE, holy crap wow I like it", yeah, chances are they do not like it. That one's almost universal, when it happens. They are being paid to put that element into the video, and it only makes sense to pay someone if they are going to say things that promote the sales of your game. So that's what they do. In many cases, sponsored segments are read off of a freaking script! And as a rule, if a company NEEDS to pay someone to tell others how great their product is... it probably aint so great, which is why they're dishing out the cash.

Fortunately, these days most content creators will be open about what is sponsored and what is not. That's become part of the rules, in a way. But sometimes you still get a bad egg in the bunch, where someone is making a video about things they "love", but with a secret bias behind it that the viewer never sees.

Dont get me wrong: There are a zillion videos out there, and many entire channels, that are people seriously just talking about their favorite things. But here's the thing: Even when they're being 100% honest and just gushing over their favorite things, that doesnt immediately mean YOU will like those same things, yeah?

I should also note though, to beware of the really major publications. The big review companies.

Like, I write reviews myself, over on Steam, and I can say whatever the heck I want. I dont have to hold back, I can just be totally honest, because nothing is stopping me from doing so. If I dont like a game, I'm gonna freakin' tell everyone and their grandma just how much I dont like it. And who is going to stop me? Batman?

But if it's, say, a paid, professional reviewer at like IGN or something? Well, if IGN gets paid a blob of money by some big game publishing company to put out positive reviews for their newest upcoming game, even if one of their writers does indeed try to write a truly honest review about how they dislike the game... that review will never see the light of day, because that wasnt the deal. The WRITER may not want to have to lie... but they also need to continue having a job. They either put out the fake positive review, or else. There's a lot more to it, but generally among the community, the big review groups are known for being... not very honest. It's gotten to the point where groups like IGN are almost considered a joke. Well, no, not "almost", they downright ARE considered to be a joke these days.

 

[grommet]

Yes, it can happen, but there are a couple of things you can look for.

For instance, if you're ever watching something like that and someone goes "Okay it's time to talk about our sponsor, THIS GAME OVER HERE, holy crap wow I like it", yeah, chances are they do not like it. That one's almost universal, when it happens. They are being paid to put that element into the video, and it only makes sense to pay someone if they are going to say things that promote the sales of your game. So that's what they do. In many cases, sponsored segments are read off of a freaking script! And as a rule, if a company NEEDS to pay someone to tell others how great their product is... it probably aint so great, which is why they're dishing out the cash.

Fortunately, these days most content creators will be open about what is sponsored and what is not. That's become part of the rules, in a way. But sometimes you still get a bad egg in the bunch, where someone is making a video about things they "love", but with a secret bias behind it that the viewer never sees.

Dont get me wrong: There are a zillion videos out there, and many entire channels, that are people seriously just talking about their favorite things. But here's the thing: Even when they're being 100% honest and just gushing over their favorite things, that doesnt immediately mean YOU will like those same things, yeah?

I should also note though, to beware of the really major publications. The big review companies.

Like, I write reviews myself, over on Steam, and I can say whatever the heck I want. I dont have to hold back, I can just be totally honest, because nothing is stopping me from doing so. If I dont like a game, I'm gonna freakin' tell everyone and their grandma just how much I dont like it. And who is going to stop me? Batman?

But if it's, say, a paid, professional reviewer at like IGN or something? Well, if IGN gets paid a blob of money by some big game publishing company to put out positive reviews for their newest upcoming game, even if one of their writers does indeed try to write a truly honest review about how they dislike the game... that review will never see the light of day, because that wasnt the deal. The WRITER may not want to have to lie... but they also need to continue having a job. They either put out the fake positive review, or else. There's a lot more to it, but generally among the community, the big review groups are known for being... not very honest. It's gotten to the point where groups like IGN are almost considered a joke. Well, no, not "almost", they downright ARE considered to be a joke these days.

I like IGN walkthroughs. I think they are very good and also friendly. I am using one to get through Tomb Raider.

 

[Outdated]

I like IGN walkthroughs. I think they are very good and also friendly. I am using one to get through Tomb Raider.

I do exactly the same, I never watch videos because I struggle to understand them but I use written walkthroughs a lot.

 

[grommet]

I do exactly the same, I never watch videos because I struggle to understand them but I use written walkthroughs a lot.

What do you mean you struggle to understand videos? Gameplay videos or are all videos difficult for you to understand?

 

[Outdated]

I normally avoid instructional videos because I have trouble understanding people's voices. I've never watched a gaming video because I assumed I wouldn't be able to understand them.

 

[grommet]

I normally avoid instructional videos because I have trouble understanding people's voices. I've never watched a gaming video because I assumed I wouldn't be able to understand them.

You can do so many things I cannot. I am sorry you have that problem with the videos and people's voices. I can go slowly with a video and repeat parts, I can understand much better that way. With people in person it is a wall of words. I can't hear individual words unless I try with extreme effort.

 

[Outdated]

With people in person it is a wall of words. I can't hear individual words unless I try with extreme effort.

I'm better with people in a real life situation because I'm very good at reading their body language and reading their lips and their facial expressions, but all that information is missing in videos and like you I have to keep replaying bits over and over again.

 

[grommet]

I do not like Tomb Raider but I am learning the controls quickly by using it as a tutorial. It has been very good for that. I bought a game on Steam that is 85.5 GB, huge, but on sale for $2.99. It is Payday 2. I do not like anything that makes criminals seem fun but I needed something to try on my PC to see if I like FPS/shooters on it. It is still downloading.

My new Bluetooth USB is arriving today. I am eager because the Bluetooth speaker I am using is excellent but with the PC now it has to been within a fraction of an inch in the right spot or the sound breaks up badly. I also lose connection with my PS5 controller.

Oh, I measured the heat coming from my PC. While downloading it is almost room temperature, very nice. It was 81.8 F. That is not a problem. It gets warm while gaming. This makes me feel much better, I can keep it on and not worry.

 

[Outdated]

My new Bluetooth USB is arriving today. I am eager because the Bluetooth speaker I am using is excellent but with the PC now it has to been within a fraction of an inch in the right spot or the sound breaks up badly. I also lose connection with my PS5 controller.

I hope the new bluetooth dongle solves a lot of problems for you.

I haven't played Tomb Raider in many years now but back in 1996 that was the game that sucked me in to learning more about computers, trying to get it to run well on my 386 computer.

 

[grommet]

I'm better with people in a real life situation because I'm very good at reading their body language and reading their lips and their facial expressions, but all that information is missing in videos and like you I have to keep replaying bits over and over again.

It is very hard isn't it? I put an expression on my face like I am okay and I understand but it is like I am a diver in a suit with a bell helmet, looking through the glass observing. I honestly don't know what people mean most of the time and they ask questions that cannot be answered so I make guesses.

I did well in court once though when I had to testify in a domestic violence case. It was like aspie heaven because I was expected and required to be accurate. It was so nice. Terrible for the defense attorney who asked me how far I had bee standing from the defendant when the incident happened.

The courtroom is intimidating. There was a U.S. and state flag. A judge in a box sitting above all of us, exhibits, a guard with a gun. So when the attorney asked me I took a long time to make sure I was as close as I could be. But it threw him off. I did not mean to, I was only trying to answer but he seem to expect a fast answer and was already leaning forward to say his next thing but he froze because I was not speaking. I found out that there is a rule that he has to wait for me to answer. I finally did but he seemed off then.

 

[grommet]

I hope the new bluetooth dongle solves a lot of problems for you.

I haven't played Tomb Raider in many years now but back in 1996 that was the game that sucked me in to learning more about computers, trying to get it to run well on my 386 computer.

I remember when the 386 was new and very exciting.

The game as I see it looks good and I like the sound effects and narration but it is all about climbing, jumping, falling and solving puzzles. Then repeat. Over and over. I see the pattern and I do not want it. But I bought it for not much a long time ago when I first thought I would learn to game and it has taught me the controls.

 

[Outdated]

The last time I was in court was more than 30 years ago, I got caught drink driving. Instead of making weak excuses like everyone else I stood up and said that I have no choice but to accept responsibility for my actions. The judge smiled at me and I got the smallest fine and the shortest suspension out of all the people that were in court that morning.

 

[Outdated]

The game as I see it looks good and I like the sound effects and narration but it is all about climbing, jumping, falling and solving puzzles. Then repeat. Over and over.

I never completed the game but there were a few sections that I liked playing and I played them over and over. It's rare for me to complete any of those sorts of games, I just have fun with them.

 

[grommet]

The last time I was in court was more than 30 years ago, I got caught drink driving. Instead of making weak excuses like everyone else I stood up and said that I have no choice but to accept responsibility for my actions. The judge smiled at me and I got the smallest fine and the shortest suspension out of all the people that were in court that morning.

I do things like that. I once got an $850 parking ticket. A massive fine. I moved the car early in the morning and forgot to put the handicap placard back up on the mirror. I left it on the dashboard. I thought the person should have given me a break but technically I was wrong so I paid it without complaint.

 

[grommet]

I never completed the game but there were a few sections that I liked playing and I played them over and over. It's rare for me to complete any of those sorts of games, I just have fun with them.

You keep reminding me to have fun. I keep forgetting that. I look at it like a hard project. I want to have fun.

 

[Outdated]

You keep reminding me to have fun. I keep forgetting that. I look at it like a hard project. I want to have fun.

I hope the new bluetooth dongle makes that a lot easier for you. And if you're playing by yourself it won't affect anyone else if you ignore the rules here and there.

 

[Jonn]

It is showing more expensive when I looked on Steam. I wonder why. Maybe it is sold for less in Australia.

That is odd.

 

[Jonn]

The "bottom line" is that you cannot depend on salespersons to properly inform a customer when it comes to high technology. Some are on top of their game, while others will just be the average retail salesperson on minimum wage who doesn't know much of anything.

I usually ask who the best person to talk to is.
It takes the pressure off the sale's person you are talking to.

 

[grommet]

I hope the new bluetooth dongle makes that a lot easier for you. And if you're playing by yourself it won't affect anyone else if you ignore the rules here and there.

It arrived but I could not install it. Very confusing. I think it is easy for someone who knows. I returned it, used the money for something else. My bluetooth is bad but works. I can save and get the adapter again later and try again.

 

[Jonn]

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