Jackson Bliton – better known online as Bajheera – lifts, games and gets paid to do so. He lives in two different worlds. In the real one, the 25-year-old Californian lives like a normal boy and does typical human stuff. Then, at least once per day, he goes to the Internet, transforms into Bajheera and plays a video game called World of Warcraft. He spends a majority of his day playing this game, while filming himself besides, so thousands of people around the world can follow him do it, either in a live stream or by watching recorded videos. Thanks to the power of platforms like YouTube or Twitch, online gamer play video games not just for private amusement, they play for the masses and get paid to do it. They earn money while spending their time in a virtual world and producing YouTube videos about playing video games.
As technology marches on the world of gaming changed from playing alone or at most with a partner in front of a video game console to the possibility of playing online with several people around the world. The prerequisite for playing an online game is to command internet connectivity because they can be played only after logging in to the server that hosts the game world. Furthermore, the aspect of interacting with thousands of players worldwide, possible due social media platforms like YouTube, creates a new revolutionary option of online gaming. In recent years, YouTube has been dominated by videos about online gaming that show people playing popular video games and adding their own funny commentary. More than half of the top independent YouTubers upload those videos.
On global basis, online gaming in connection to broadcast websites as YouTube has grown into a multi-billion-dollar business. While in the past mainly attract younger men, nowadays audience has expanded and include also women and older age groups.
Table of Contents
- Introduction and Thesis Statement
- The Online Gaming Movement
- Online Gaming
- Development of Online Gaming
- YouTube as a Guarantor of Success
- The Beginning of Bajheera
- The Birth of an Internet Celebrity
- Due YouTube to a Role Model
- Future Development concerning YouTube
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the extent to which YouTube contributes to the success of online gamers, using the example of Bajheera. It explores the evolution of online gaming, the role of YouTube in building a fanbase and generating revenue, and the broader implications of this phenomenon.
- The rise of online gaming as a global phenomenon.
- The impact of YouTube on the careers of online gamers.
- The intersection of online gaming, social media, and personal branding.
- The monetization of online gaming through platforms like YouTube.
- The evolution of online gaming from its early days to the current era of massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs).
Chapter Summaries
Introduction and Thesis Statement: This introductory chapter sets the stage by introducing Jackson Bliton (Bajheera), a successful online gamer who earns a living playing World of Warcraft and creating related YouTube content. It highlights the transformation of online gaming from a solitary activity to a spectator sport, emphasizing the significant role of platforms like YouTube and Twitch in this evolution. The chapter establishes the central research question: to what extent does YouTube increase the success of an online gamer?
The Online Gaming Movement: This chapter delves into the history and nature of online gaming. It differentiates between smaller role-playing games and massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs) like World of Warcraft, highlighting the latter's significant economic impact and addictive potential. The chapter traces the evolution of online gaming from its early roots in university networks to its current state, fueled by advancements in technology and the rise of high-speed internet. The social and economic aspects of online gaming are emphasized, illustrating its transformation from a niche hobby to a multi-billion dollar industry.
YouTube as a Guarantor of Success: This section focuses on Bajheera's journey to success, highlighting his early interests in anime and fitness, which unexpectedly intertwined with his online gaming career. The chapter details how he leveraged YouTube to build a substantial following by showcasing his gaming skills and personality. His transition to Twitch streaming and subsequent achievements, including sponsorships and participation in major gaming events, are meticulously documented. The chapter uses his example to illustrate how YouTube can serve as a crucial platform for building a personal brand, attracting sponsorships, and generating substantial income within the online gaming community.
Keywords
Online gaming, YouTube, Twitch, World of Warcraft, social media, personal branding, monetization, e-sports, internet celebrity, gaming culture, MMOGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Games), content creation, fanbase.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines the role of YouTube in the success of online gamers, using the example of Jackson Bliton (Bajheera), a World of Warcraft player. It explores how YouTube contributes to building a fanbase, generating revenue, and the broader implications of this phenomenon within the online gaming industry.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include the rise of online gaming as a global phenomenon, the impact of YouTube on online gamer careers, the intersection of online gaming, social media, and personal branding, the monetization of online gaming through platforms like YouTube, and the evolution of online gaming from its early days to the current era of MMOGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Games).
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction with the thesis statement, a chapter on the online gaming movement (including the development of online gaming), a chapter focusing on YouTube's role in Bajheera's success (covering aspects like his early career, his rise to internet celebrity status, and his future development on YouTube), and a conclusion. The paper also includes a table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords.
Who is Bajheera, and why is he used as a case study?
Jackson Bliton (Bajheera) is a successful online gamer who earns a living playing World of Warcraft and creating related YouTube content. He serves as a prime example to illustrate how YouTube can be used to build a substantial following, attract sponsorships, and generate substantial income within the online gaming community.
What is the paper's central research question?
The central research question is: To what extent does YouTube increase the success of an online gamer?
What is covered in the chapter on the Online Gaming Movement?
This chapter explores the history and nature of online gaming, differentiating between smaller role-playing games and MMOGs like World of Warcraft. It discusses the economic impact and addictive potential of MMOGs, tracing the evolution of online gaming from its early days to its current state as a multi-billion dollar industry. The social and economic aspects of online gaming are highlighted.
What is discussed in the chapter on YouTube's role in Bajheera's success?
This chapter details Bajheera's journey to success, explaining how he leveraged YouTube to build a following by showcasing his gaming skills and personality. It covers his transition to Twitch, sponsorships, participation in major gaming events, and how YouTube helped him build a personal brand and generate income.
What are some of the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Online gaming, YouTube, Twitch, World of Warcraft, social media, personal branding, monetization, esports, internet celebrity, gaming culture, MMOGs, content creation, and fanbase.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper (implied)?
While the full conclusion is not explicitly provided in the preview, it's implied that the paper will demonstrate a significant positive correlation between the use of YouTube and the success of online gamers like Bajheera, highlighting YouTube's role in transforming online gaming from a niche hobby to a major industry with significant earning potential.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Blasberg (Author), 2016, To what Extent Increases YouTube the Success of an Online Gamer? The Example of Bajheera, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/458879
