Turtlebro
Member
Posts: 106 
Original Join Date: February 22, 2009
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Post by Turtlebro on Aug 16, 2016 4:05:17 GMT
Okay, I was finally able to sit down and crank this out. I completely agree with the notion that we need to create a new focus for LA, something unique and something that can distinguish ourselves from other general fansites. I would, however, recommend against making our focus a singular game or series, as it would severely narrow our scope, and make future expansions a bit more difficult. Starting off small is easier than a much broader approach, but I feel that trying to branch out afterwards might chase off some who joined for LA being dedicated solely to Game XYZ, though I do know the forums themselves will always have general discussions outside of said focus. The like the idea of LA being made into a non-game specific guild for MMOs and other such online game. LOTRO is a game I would like to claim to try and be more active on, but given prior experiences I feel it isn't likely, though I would still be willing to try. Leo, you mentioned just quitting Runescape again, it just so happens that I have been dabbling a little into Oldschool Runescape the past couple of months, and would be willing to try and create a LA presence on there, if you would be willing to join me. I don't know much about guilds, but I do have resources in the game to help get things started. As for YouTube and Twitch, I would have to oppose a singular unified YouTube channel, unless everyone on LA was creating the same type of content. Personally, I think it would offputting as a potential subscriber to have a number of people create a vast variety of different types of videos all at differing qualities, as it lacks far too much consistency. Having a number of people make the same type of videos, or one person/group make a variety of videos is generally acceptable, but a number of different people doing a number of different things would come off as a bit of a clusterfuck. I think the better alternative would be to make LA into a small network of similar YouTube channels, all run by LAers, similar to that of Normal Boots, The Punk Effect, or Hidden Block. That way each channel can do their own thing, without having a whole bunch of other unrelated videos clogging up their feeds. That way we could run a LA Best of Twitch Clips channel, along with whatever other channels other members would like to do, whether with other LAers or as their own thing, but still affiliated with LA. Twitch, on the other hand, I think would do best as the opposite, having one consolidated channel with different streamers, since Twitch is really only for the one thing only. Granted, I know next to nothing about Twitch, but I feel that having a group of LAers all streaming from the same channel, on a set schedule of different days and times, would be a good way to generate a good deal of constant content, which could then be edited and uploaded to the aforementioned Best of Twitch Clips LA channel. As for funding LA, I think a Patreon account might be best. I don't know how Twitch does monetization, or if it even does, but I do know that YouTube's monetization of anything game related is becoming more and more fickle. Not to say we still couldn't try, but I think Patreon would probably be the best route, I know I would donate if able. |
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Selena
 Admin
Odinsdottir
Posts: 320
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Aug 16, 2016 14:45:59 GMT
Something to also consider is that only a tiny few of us (2-5) will be posting video, and even fewer will be streaming. The rest will be working on other projects. I'm going to hold off on live streaming until I upgrade my internet. It's just too laggy right now. But I'll be posting Let's Plays and other pre-recorded and pre-edited footage.
The important thing right now is to find a way to make LA stand out from other sites or gaming guilds -- a unique way to "market" ourselves and draw attention. Discussing methods of monetizing and our media structure won't matter if we can't hook in people to begin with.
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masterofwind
Member
Posts: 116
Original Join Date: When Loddie ruled LA
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Post by masterofwind on Aug 16, 2016 22:23:21 GMT
If my internet holds out. I am willing to stream my ps4 when I play kill strain.
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Egann
Member
Posts: 124
Original Join Date: Sometime in 2008
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Post by Egann on Aug 16, 2016 23:53:35 GMT
So if only 2-5 of us will be making content, I propose an alternative: rather than working from "what gimmick" to the content, we go from the content we're already planning on making to the gimmick. In either case, tweaking our ideas for the content we were going to make is...inevitable. But if several of us are already planning things along a certain line, this is likely to make that distance shorter and the marketing hook clearer.
I suppose I'll start. These are ordered from most likely to be useful to us to least likely.
Of these, I'd be surprised if more than one actually pulls traction.
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Selena
Admin
Odinsdottir
Posts: 320
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Aug 17, 2016 1:00:55 GMT
More than five people will be making content -- the 2 to 5 figure is those who mentioned producing video. We're aiming to showcase the diverse and varied skillsets of LA members. We have badass writers, badass artists, people who can crank out videos, people with a good eye for film analysis, etc. Because LA members have a wider net of talents, the only thing keeping them in harmony will be a common theme/vibe/focus.
It's good (and necessary) to have a regular stream of content from at least a few core contributors, but I also want all members to feel comfortable producing content at their own pace. Some people are shy. Some people take a longer time to work on things. Some people might feel comfortable occasionally helping someone rather than being the "star" of a project. I see core contributors making content on a predictable basis, but I also see plenty of room for non-regular guest columns / supplemental content. Lesta making nerd-themed cakes or LA's cooks showcasing recipes inspired by games/books/etc. I don't want people feeling like they can't participate just because they don't fit a mold or a schedule.
Multiple people doing a Let's Play would be fun. I could even see an "LA Plays [title]" entry where any of our members can jump into a stream to chat about it while someone plays. Given how we act in group chats, that could end up being hilarious. Or with movies. Making fun of a terrible (or at least well known) movie as a group would be fun.
I liked some of the sites Turtlelot linked as examples of content-producing gaming guilds.
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Post by DarkJuno on Aug 17, 2016 1:48:50 GMT
I need to test out how my internet holds up for a stream sometime this week, even if it's just screwing around in No Man's Sky or doing a Hitman hit. What IS the ideal up speed for a decent, not annoying Twitch stream anyway? I think I average out to 10 - 12, and of course I'll switch over to wired instead of wireless for it, but I want to make sure that it'll look decent for anyone watching. None of the stuff I'm interested in doing are FPS' or competitive so that I know will help.
And yeah, the important thing is that no one feel forced or belittled for whatever content they want to or are willing to produce, if we even go down the route. It's nice to have pie in the sky thoughts about what we can do, but we need to not overreach at the outset or it'll all fall apart. Anyone who wants to do something needs to remember that - we're doing it because we WANT to do it, not because we have to. Ultimately, that'll be what makes anything we try a success. As for a theme...honestly, I don't know. There are so few of us left, that even if we do something and say "Video Games," our tastes fall on different parts of that spectrum. Like, I think Overwatch is pretty great, myself, but it's also not my bag if we're being honest, and on the flip, I like stuff that not a lot of folks here necessarily do. Problem with trying to focus it down from that particular focus down into something more specific is that it kinda risks alienating any one of us who doesn't necessarily like something the majority does.
I do like the live commentating idea, and there aren't so many of us that we'd run the risk of there being too many people yelling over each other to make jokes or snark about the on-goings on-screen. Podcast idea is neat too, but like the game thing, I don't know if there's enough of us into a certain genre type, unless we do that "Here's the part where these two people talk about the new FPS game, and then here's where these other three people talk about RPG's, and then these OTHER people talk about JRPG's, then this one guy starts talking critically about this news bulletin," and so on, which could turn into a giant unwieldy mess.
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Selena
Admin
Odinsdottir
Posts: 320
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Aug 17, 2016 2:11:24 GMT
Streaming speed: If you're broadcasting at 720p, you can get away with about 2-3 Mbps for your upload speed. Around 5+ Mbps if you want it at a higher resolution and frame rate. Plus fairly decent processor power if you're doing it through your computer. If doing it through your PS4, then the console should have more than enough juice.
My basic country 'net only has 1 Mbps upload speed, so my streams are all laggy. When we get some more money coming in, I'll switch to a better net package. It's been bothering us for a while.
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Egann
Member
Posts: 124
Original Join Date: Sometime in 2008
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Post by Egann on Aug 17, 2016 22:36:38 GMT
I've seen people who stream seriously recommend you have a dedicated rig just to run the stream. Also, my ISP and all their local competitors don't offer particularly good internet deals when it comes to upstream traffic. Streaming may be limited to which members are 1) interested, and 2) have access to an ISP willing to give a good upstream speed.
As for content....I'm not too worried about finding viewers. LA hasn't faded into the neither like the Vinculum, nor has it been obliterated and folded into a bigger forum like Legends Place. Why? There are a lot of smart and likeable people left here. I doubt we will get immediate success, of course, and we will have to do some smart web promoting. Starting up will be awkward. It's quite likely that several of our content streams will feel awkward in execution and will need to be cancelled. We'll probably be publishing into silence for some time, and it's also hard to predict which directions the viewers we do get will want us to grow in. But with this crowd, the question--for better or worse--is when will someone's last upload go viral, not if.
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Leo
Member
I don't believe in the moon, I think it's just the back of the sun.
Posts: 282
Original Join Date: September 30, 2008
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Post by Leo on Aug 18, 2016 4:14:53 GMT
I'd have to think about it. I've lately grown bored of RS and pre-EOC wouldn't be something I would be able to maintain enough interest in to have discussions/streams or be able to contribute to a clan on a regular basis. Sorry man :/
Re: the upstream issue - I've got a decent ISP at my university place and I just recently invested in a pretty good PC, so I'm would probably be able to help with the YT/Twitch stuff in my spare time. Podcast-wise, I'm sure there are enough of us that we could get regular podcasts on newly released games, entertainment, books, etc. that it wouldn't be an issue to reach listeners.
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Selena
Admin
Odinsdottir
Posts: 320
Original Join Date: February 13, 2003
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Post by Selena on Aug 18, 2016 4:37:54 GMT
Hang on, I'm gonna split a thread off about our own project ideas / contributions.
Regarding theme, I have a growing vision of a gaming guild about the "original" gaming generation growing into adulthood. The Mortgages and Multikills thing. So, one part gaming, one part film/TV, and then a section like Good Housekeeping as written by/for nerdy adults -- for the people who would rather do stuff like cooking or talk about life experiences as adults who never let go of their gaming/comic book/nerd backgrounds.
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JRPomazon
Member
Posts: 162
Original Join Date: 14 Jul 2003
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Post by JRPomazon on Sept 7, 2016 20:00:06 GMT
Regarding theme, I have a growing vision of a gaming guild about the "original" gaming generation growing into adulthood. The Mortgages and Multikills thing. So, one part gaming, one part film/TV, and then a section like Good Housekeeping as written by/for nerdy adults -- for the people who would rather do stuff like cooking or talk about life experiences as adults who never let go of their gaming/comic book/nerd backgrounds. I really like this idea. Lots of folks have grown up with the notion that these things have to be shelved once you reach a certain age. I like to think that we can get the best of both worlds. I want to see what we can do with this angle. |
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masterofwind
Member
Posts: 116
Original Join Date: When Loddie ruled LA
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Post by masterofwind on Sept 7, 2016 20:43:07 GMT
That is a rather interesting idea.
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JRPomazon
Member
Posts: 162
Original Join Date: 14 Jul 2003
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Post by JRPomazon on Oct 11, 2016 6:52:29 GMT
I've tried to give some thought into what I could do to help increase growth in the forums. I used to come up with some random little games here and there back at the old LA, maybe something like that can possibly bring in a crowd again? Something like the JRP Grand Tournament?
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Leo
Member
I don't believe in the moon, I think it's just the back of the sun.
Posts: 282
Original Join Date: September 30, 2008
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Post by Leo on Oct 11, 2016 7:20:26 GMT
I've tried to give some thought into what I could do to help increase growth in the forums. I used to come up with some random little games here and there back at the old LA, maybe something like that can possibly bring in a crowd again? Something like the JRP Grand Tournament? Definitely another JRP Grand Tournament, those were tons of fun  |
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JRPomazon
Member
Posts: 162
Original Join Date: 14 Jul 2003
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Post by JRPomazon on Oct 17, 2016 3:44:21 GMT
I've tried to give some thought into what I could do to help increase growth in the forums. I used to come up with some random little games here and there back at the old LA, maybe something like that can possibly bring in a crowd again? Something like the JRP Grand Tournament? Definitely another JRP Grand Tournament, those were tons of fun Thank you for saying so! I'm not keen as to what these boards can do but perhaps I can look into what toys I can play with. But I wonder how we could use the tournament as a means to revitalize the community? Could we use it as a means of attracting new posters or anything like that? |
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