But YouTube wasn't the same as Primetime TV, it's only been the past few years or so that it's been treated like it. A lot of people, like myself, were tired of TV and the devolution of the TV networks and channels we grew up with. A lot of people turned to YouTube and the internet in general to get away from Reality-based TV. And it finally gave a lot of us a form to pour our creativity into something people with similar interests could enjoy, not mudsling.
And that depends on the game. Anyone can play minecraft and simply talk about what they're building, but it takes more than a little substance to throw in your own in-jokes and references through backstory and role-play. Not all games spurn negative gossip nor does all commentary, but that doesn't mean they can't be good games or commentary. My own commentary might not be the best, but at least I don't throw shade at other people in my videos while still being honest about what I talk about. Sometimes, LPers, especially in groups, will have a dynamic in their commentary that will somehow go off-topic and make the LP even more interesting. But that's up to the viewers personally. And that's all reinforced if you're an LPer that plays older games, not everyone can play the latest, hottest games on release to show everyone on YouTube, and those are the games that usually make the most views. If you're more niche by playing really indie or older games, then you have to rely moreso on your commentary and personality because those games won't draw in as much attention.