Week 2

Content

  • The Industry of Streaming

    Welcome back! Let's take a moment to briefly explore the history of some of the more popular streaming services, particularly those which you will use as a streaming content creator. We'll look at the growth of Twitch and its influence on streaming media in general, such as with subscription models and the technologies used. We'll also discuss current popular personalities and games that are driving the trends and growth seen with Twitch. Without further ado, let's begin our exploration of The Industry of Streaming.

    This week you will...
    • Explain when and how Twitch was created
    • Compare subscription services in live-streaming with those of other major streaming industries
    • Describe other streaming platforms that provide competition for Twitch
    • Research the current trends regarding personalities and games on live-streaming platforms
    • Identify the state of diversity and inclusion in live-streaming environments
    large audience at esports event

  • Loot for your mind

    Weekly Materials

    Where did the streaming industry begin? Specifically, where did the culture of the streaming content creator begin? YouTube, launched in 2005, is a major consideration, but YouTube’s primary focus is (and has been) on the delivery of general video content. While it uses streaming technology to provide its content, it’s (typically) pre-recorded videos that we defer to YouTube for. We want to know more about the streaming of live content. A lot of our focus this week, and in this program, will be on Twitch. Twitch's influence on the industry of live streaming is undeniable. What started in 2006 as a guy streaming his life (Justin.tv) has grown into a multi-billion dollar subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. So, is Twitch the beginning of the streaming industry? Not exactly! It's certainly not the beginning of live streaming in general. Check out the timeline on this page to learn more about the history of streaming!

    Let's specifically make note of how popular streamers on Twitch make money (after all, we're going to be spending a lot of time discussing live streaming on Twitch). Streamers on Twitch, after becoming affiliated or a partner, can make money via  subscriptions or bits and cheering. This is a little different than advertisement revenue such as on YouTube. If you like a Twitch streamer, you can help support their continued streams by subscribing to them. This is not a donation - a subscription on Twitch offers some perks (emotes, chat, and no ads, for example). 

    Twitch User's Guide (2014)

    Topics to Consider

    A few questions that you should ask yourself as you progress through this week:

    • How Does the Streaming Industry Make Money?
      1. Learn about advertisements, endorsements, and subscription services.
      2. Describe how an Amazon subscription is different from a subscription to a Twitch streamer. What is the relationship between Amazon and Twitch?
      3. Check out the guidelines between Twitch Affiliates and Twitch Partners.
    • How Does the Gaming Industry Connect to Streaming Media?
      1. Explore the role of Twitch and eSports in streaming media.
      2. Why do you think eSports has found such popularity in live streaming?
      3. How has TwitchCon helped to connect different audiences?
    • What are the Current Trends on Twitch?
      • State the current top games and streamers by popularity.
      • Note the other types of channels that Twitch offers, such as Creative and IRL (In Real Life) offerings.
    • How does Twitch work?
      • Describe settings for moderation, the dashboard, and the channel.
    • What are the trends and issues currently shaping the streaming industry?
    list of large acquisitions by Amazon, ordered by acquisition price

    The History of the Industry

    At this time, explore the history of the streaming media industry. Name the big players (past and present), such as RealNetworks Inc., Amazon, and Twitch. What were some of the challenges they faced (technology or otherwise)? We've included an example you can scroll through below, to get you started!

  • Discussion

    Discussion Requirements

    In each week, you will have a Discussion assignment that will help to prepare you for that week's main assignment. You are required to:

    • make an initial post answering the questions provided, and
    • to respond to at least one peer.

    You won't be able to see any of your peer's posts until after you have posted. Your response should be go beyond a simple "good job" or other basic complement. While there isn't a hard requirement on the length of your response, 100 words would be a good starting place. 

    The reason we only require a single response is that we are encouraging you to engage your instructor and peers through Blackboard Collaborate and Discord in real-time discussion. The questions presented here are to help you to form ideas for your main assignment, as well as allow you to more deeply analyze what your peers are thinking about as they prepare for their assignments. Your peers may be in-class students, or they may be remote and in an entirely different time-zone. We want to ensure that you all have the same opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. We want you to be fully prepared and confident going into your main assignments.

    Discord

    Discord chats are set up by week, and are supplemental to your actual assignments. Click the icon below to access the channel. Please participate in these chats! Discord is a very popular tool used by the streaming community, so if you're not familiar with it, this is your chance! Use the Discussion assignment to help organize your interactions. It's our hope that you find people through this class that you can collaborate with, game with, and stream with in your careers; you are welcome to invite your peers to other channels that you use!

    discord icon and link to channel


    Discussion

    10 Points

    Discuss the current state of live-streaming media in today's market. Be specific on the following points:

    • Where did the concept of streaming originate?
    • Do you think streaming will grow in its popularity and useage? Why or why not?
    • Who are the major companies in streaming media today, and what is their impact on the future of streaming?
    • What are the major types of content commonly streamed? Why are these types of content popular?
    Submission Instructions
    • Read the discussion rubric. You will be graded on this rubric!
    • Make an initial post based on the assignment prompt provided.
    • Reply to at least one peer with a substantial response.
    • Use Discord for further discussion.

  • Industry Competition

    20 Points

    For this assignment, you have the option of writing a 500 word essay or recording a 5 min video discussing that answers the following questions: 

    • What other streaming platforms provide competition to Twitch? 
      • This includes gaming specific platforms, live-streaming platforms, streaming video platforms, and competition between parent companies. 
    • How does this competition affect Twitch? 
    • What differences do these platforms have in terms of subscriptions or other methods of generating income for themselves or their content creators? 
    • What is your opinion on the future of Twitch and its competitors, based on the above?
    Submission Requirements

    For written assignments:

    • Assignment must be composed in a word processor (Word, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Pages, Google Docs, etc...)
    • The file type must be supported by Microsoft Word, regardless of word processor used (.doc or .docx is preferred)
    • Accepted fonts include Arial, Calibri, Verdana, and Times New Roman with a font size of 12pt
    • Essays should be double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper size and 1" margins
    • You will attach your completed document in the assignment submission area (don't type the assignment out directly in Blackboard!)
    • Please use APA in-text citations and include a reference list for any sources cited outside of those included in the Supply Drop area.

    This assignment is due no later than 11:59 PM at the end of the seventh day of class.

    Start Assignment

    Assignment Rubric

    Before starting your Assignment, please review the Assignment rubric. You will be graded using this rubric.

    Click below to view the Assignment rubric.

    Click Here

  • twitch.tv

    Check out our Twitch Channel below! If you want to participate in chat, you should click the Twitch button on the video player to head to the Twitch website. You'll want to do that if you want to keep the stream open while you switch tabs to work on your assignments, as well.

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