Stream Etiquette Pt 6: Rushing The Streamer

As I said in part 2 of this stream etiquette series concerning spoilers and backseat gaming, different streamers and gamers overall have different playstyles.

Some speedrun, some are focused on the story, and some are full on completionists/achievement hunters who want the gameplay, the story, and everything else they can find.

For streams, I tend to be in a range of focal on story but will veer off the main path to do a few sidequests or collectibles. This is to keep the streams from being too short, yet also not too long/repetitive.

But offline? I take on a completionist approach to playing games I've finished streaming or never intend to stream. Namely as I pursue platinum trophies for my PS4 games.

There are times where if its the path to a true ending in a game that requires all collectibles to get? I'll play as much as possible on stream and do the more tedious grindy item hunting offline (example, when I streamed Batman: Arkham Knight I covered the majority of the main story then collected all of the Riddler trophies off stream before wrapping the game up for the 100% ending the following night).

That said, telling a streamer to hurry up or 'just go' is poor manners. You're on their channel watching a game played to their playstyle and as I said before, not everyone will play the same as you.

You beat the game before? Well maybe they haven't (which also goes hand in hand with what I stated earlier on spoilers and backseat gaming, aka don't spoil a puzzle or plot point they are watching to try and speed up their progress because that will get you timed out or fully banned).

Seriously, if you want to see someone go through the game at a quick pace? Look for either another streamer possibly doing a speedrun or something similar, a Youtube video, or attempt a speedrun yourself. Chances are they are even going at the pace they are to fill a specific time frame of gameplay for that game before either playing something else or ending the stream.

I myself have had multiple occasions where I played a game longer than planned to extend a block of my stream. Prime example? My Extra Life 12 and 24 hour streams.

There were times where I set a certain amount of time to play a particular game and had to find extra things in the game to do until it was time for the next game on the list. I didn't come up short on titles for my planned playlist before I reached the 12 or 24 hour mark using this method.

If the streamer is currently speaking to their viewer(s) instead of playing the game? Let them finish talking because what they are doing is what a streamer is SUPPOSED to do. Talk to their viewers.

Part of a streamer's role as a streamer (which sadly, quite a few streamers either forget or never learn this obligation) is to interact with their viewers.

Don't want to wait? Again, find another channel playing that game, but understand that a streamer isn't going to return to their game just because you told them to, especially if you were rude about it (telling them to shut up and get back to the game as I've had someone tell me before) or they were helping someone in their chat with something.

If you are wanting them to get back to the game play, be polite and ask them when they think they may start playing again? But otherwise? Be patient.

Also, if you are queued for a game with the streamer and they are waiting on others? Don't demand for them to just start the game.

If they were nice enough to allow you a spot in the game, be it Jackbox, Use Your Words, or whatever other open lobby game they're playing?

A. The game would be more fun with more people anyway.

B. Telling them to start without their friends or other viewers queued for a spot is very rude and inconsiderate.

And C. You likely won't get to play with them at all due to acting out and will not only be banned from playing the game with them, but banned from the channel.

They let you have a chance to play with them possibly before several other viewers who aren't even in the game, yet are waiting for their turn.

Again, be patient, in all of these examples.