My Life and Games [a little deep]

[tickle gamer]

Hi All! After being accused of being, for like for a better word, spoiled, on my last post, I thought I would share a little bit about my relationship with gaming.

Sure. Many people might say I am a gaming addict, but it goes much deeper than that. For years [around 15-20] gaming was all I had. I had no other friends, and the new friends I had, my dad would run off [happened to three of my friends]. They would talk to my dad, in, what he thought was out of my earshot, and tell them some kind of story about me [each one was dif], and I would never see them again. So I just stopped trying to get friends.

Gaming saved my life more than once. My life hasn't been an easy one, so if not for gaming, I would have hit the pipe [drugs] or the bottle long ago. More than once I have thought of killing myself, only to be pulled back to sanity by gaming.

And. Sure. I have a high dollar entertainment center, but that has been made up over the last 30 some years of saving and barely getting by.

 

[Bohemianne]

Just curious, have you ever tried to monetize your love for gaming or you only do it as pure hobby?

 

[tickle gamer]

Just curious, have you ever tried to monetize your love for gaming or you only do it as pure hobby?

What do you mean?

 

[duderino84]

My guess is streaming. Like youtube.

 

[Bohemianne]

What do you mean?

Well, I just thought (in between those friendless moments and barely getting by) you might have conceptualized about making a biz out of it, like example, running a gaming cafe...

 

[Sandisk444]

My guess is streaming. Like youtube.

That's not a reliable way to make money, to be honest. You'll probably spend more on the equipment than you'll make in revenue.

 

[Tenebrae]

That's not a reliable way to make money, to be honest. You'll probably spend more on the equipment than you'll make in revenue.

Mmmm, it depends. All you need is a good PC, which is not crazy expensive these days. But Youtube and Twitch, well, just like with other forms of celebrity, becoming the new PewDiePie is like becoming the new George Clooney: it is difficult, and requires a fair bit of talent and luck. Not saying that ticklegamer does not have any of these, but it is a gamble.

However, I believe he probably has a good expertise on games by now. He could be a great gaming journalist/blogger, a playtester, or whatever. Have you considered joining IGN for instance? You could write them some sample articles, and see what they have to say about you joining. Or solicit the attention of gaming companies. Bohemianne's question does make sense: when you have a passion/hobby, you should try to see whether you can turn that into your profession, or at least a source of income. It is something very gratifying ^_^

Also, ticklegamer, for what it is worth, you have my support I hope you'll soon see better days!

 

[tickle gamer]

My guess is streaming. Like youtube.

I don't have a Youtube account anymore. I have watched a few "Let's Plays" on Youtube for a lot of dif game, and I have thought about it, made a lot of great characters [on Skyrim and Fallout 4] and thought they would make great Lets plays, but, now that Google owns Youtube,I refuse to set up an account [not a fan of Google].

 

[tickle gamer]

Well, I just thought (in between those friendless moments and barely getting by) you might have conceptualized about making a biz out of it, like example, running a gaming cafe...

I have looked into becoming a Tester, but all of the bigger companies are either in the UK or Japan.

Plus, their is a small matter with my health. Doctor won't let me work.

but, that is not a bad idea. if I ever get cleared to work, I have to look into it.

 

[tickle gamer]

Mmmm, it depends. All you need is a good PC, which is not crazy expensive these days. But Youtube and Twitch, well, just like with other forms of celebrity, becoming the new PewDiePie is like becoming the new George Clooney: it is difficult, and requires a fair bit of talent and luck. Not saying that ticklegamer does not have any of these, but it is a gamble.

However, I believe he probably has a good expertise on games by now. He could be a great gaming journalist/blogger, a playtester, or whatever. Have you considered joining IGN for instance? You could write them some sample articles, and see what they have to say about you joining. Or solicit the attention of gaming companies. Bohemianne's question does make sense: when you have a passion/hobby, you should try to see whether you can turn that into your profession, or at least a source of income. It is something very gratifying ^_^

Also, ticklegamer, for what it is worth, you have my support I hope you'll soon see better days!

Thanks for the support, Tene. I have looked into starting a blog, but, as an article said [I forget where I read it], "there is no such thing as a "free" blog". Sure, Blogger.com [I think it was] or maybe BlogSpot.com claims to be free, but the article said that you can not control the ads they put up on your blog, and if you want to update your blog, they charge you for that as well.

I know the old adage about "you got to spend money to make money", but, when you're penny pinching as it is, free is your best friend.

 

[duderino84]

That's not a reliable way to make money, to be honest. You'll probably spend more on the equipment than you'll make in revenue.

Well if you're a console gamer, that's an additional hundred some for a capture card etc. PC there's plenty of free options, Games and capture methods. So that's the expense matter.

Reliability? It's basically about your personalty and what material you choose. Nobody is going to watch the umpteenth COD/battlefield/CSGO video unless There's Something unique.

You have to be good at promotion and video editing.

TG you specify you're not into Google. I don't blame you, they have optimized their engine to grab anyone. But there's streaming options independent of Google. ...

I'd do something because you love it. You like gaming, but let's face it, it's a limited conversation ("how did you handle the ______ task?"). I like digital audio work. But it's like trying to explain rocket science. Yet there are still guys that stick their neck out and get some of that chicken (be it money, views, likes....whatever). I just think you'd be happier if you had someone to share all this abstract creativity with. But whatever you do, YMMV.

 

[tickle gamer]

Well if you're a console gamer, that's an additional hundred some for a capture card etc. PC there's plenty of free options, Games and capture methods. So that's the expense matter.

Reliability? It's basically about your personalty and what material you choose. Nobody is going to watch the umpteenth COD/battlefield/CSGO video unless There's Something unique.

You have to be good at promotion and video editing.

TG you specify you're not into Google. I don't blame you, they have optimized their engine to grab anyone. But there's streaming options independent of Google. ...

I'd do something because you love it. You like gaming, but let's face it, it's a limited conversation ("how did you handle the ______ task?"). I like digital audio work. But it's like trying to explain rocket science. Yet there are still guys that stick their neck out and get some of that chicken (be it money, views, likes....whatever). I just think you'd be happier if you had someone to share all this abstract creativity with. But whatever you do, YMMV.

"YMMV"?

Yeah. I have an Xone. I know Xone has a vid cap system in it, but I have looked, can't find the way to get it to start recording. and, Then there is the thing of getting the vid off the box and on my PC.

I thought about maybe, if I can get the stuff, trying to go with DailyMotion.com [if it's still there. not been there in years].

 

[duderino84]

Believe that's "your mileage may vary".

Yea, I think it's tied to windows 10, just like DX12....

I think the hard thing about picking another streaming video client will be determining how to point the viewer to the video....in other words, how search data is assembled. That's the one reason I can't leave youtube as far as finding videos, it's just so easy to find ten videos at a clip on topics I'm interested in. Honestly I was thinking of using my facebook.

But It's not like people haven't considered alternatives like this even tho the lists get redundant.

 

[Tenebrae]

Thanks for the support, Tene. I have looked into starting a blog, but, as an article said [I forget where I read it], "there is no such thing as a "free" blog". Sure, Blogger.com [I think it was] or maybe BlogSpot.com claims to be free, but the article said that you can not control the ads they put up on your blog, and if you want to update your blog, they charge you for that as well.

I know the old adage about "you got to spend money to make money", but, when you're penny pinching as it is, free is your best friend.

Well I may not be the best person to give advice on that. But you could think of it as an investment. Starting a business costs some money upfront, but you're supposed to recoup later. Like, you could pay for a good blog, or hire a webmaster to help design your site. I know it is easier said than done, and depending on the situation it may or may not be worth it. But you are damn right: quality has a price.

I hear that this very site, for example, costs money. Not to us, naturally, but to its operators. If we were on a lower quality, "free" version, I am not sure so many of us would be registered here. See my point?

Once again, I am not trying to tell you what you should or shouldn't do, I hope you are not seeing it that way. Whatever you'll do, good luck! And it is always nice to find out when we share other passions besides tickling

 

[Bohemianne]

... when you have a passion/hobby, you should try to see whether you can turn that into your profession, or at least a source of income. It is something very gratifying ^_^

Whoever told me 'not to use the talent to earn because it becomes work...' is paradox to me, because if you do what you love most, then it doesn't become work. So, I agree about the gratifying effect.

Doctor won't let me work.

...like I said above, if you work your passion, then you don't really work. But this sort of idealism needs to be converted into a practical action.

 

[Tenebrae]

Whoever told me 'not to use the talent to earn because it becomes work...' is paradox to me, because if you do what you love most, then it doesn't become work. So, I agree about the gratifying effect.



...like I said above, if you work your passion, then you don't really work. But this sort of idealism needs to be converted into a practical action.

To be honest, it depends on one's personality and approach of said passion. When you love what you do, it is really awesome. But I also know some people whose passion was extinguished by the routine and repetition, or simply because at some point they had enough. I love cooking for example, but I would hate to have to do it for a living, no matter how much money I would gain. I guess the people you mentioned had this in mind when they told you that.

That being said, it is nice to be able to get to do what you love and get paid for it. I for one get paid basically to read, write, give my point of view and explain things to a captive audience. My future mother-in-law says I found the perfect job because I love talking, and the people I talk to have to listen to me. They even pay for that, lol 😛

 

[Bohemianne]

To be honest, it depends on one's personality and approach of said passion. When you love what you do, it is really awesome. But I also know some people whose passion was extinguished by the routine and repetition, or simply because at some point they had enough. I love cooking for example, but I would hate to have to do it for a living, no matter how much money I would gain. I guess the people you mentioned had this in mind when they told you that.

That being said, it is nice to be able to get to do what you love and get paid for it. I for one get paid basically to read, write, give my point of view and explain things to a captive audience. My future mother-in-law says I found the perfect job because I love talking, and the people I talk to have to listen to me. They even pay for that, lol 😛

Hahaha... What a cool job! It's probably why you are articulate in writing, even if it's 2nd language.

On the other hand, you made me realize how many people have to pay for the ears (of a shrink) just to be heard. 😀

 

[Tenebrae]

Haha, thank you kindly

My father is a proud member of the (hard)working class, and he used to despise shrinks. Said they were a scam, not actual workers, that kind of prejudice.

While for me, it used to be my dream job when I was a kid. I had a glamorous idea of it: to penetrate the mysteries of the mind, etc... until I met an actual shrink, who told me that his job consisted mostly in listening silently to horrible people who talked about their sordid (or lack thereof) sex life. He was exaggerating of course, psychology is actually an art, and it can provide a tremendous help to those who need it. But he did break the magic: I do not regret to have chosen a different major. At least I do not have to listen to my audience's secret fantasies. For that, I come here

(Eminem style: Just kidding TMF, you know I love you )

 

[tickle gamer]

...like I said above, if you work your passion, then you don't really work. But this sort of idealism needs to be converted into a practical action.

True, but I am on disability checks, so if I got a job [which I would love to do] they would cut out the checks.

So, if I did get a job, it would have to pay at least equal to the checks. and, The only job I see doing that, that involves gaming, is a tester for a big game comp.