I am a bit old, and never got why so many people watch “actual play”. I’ve done it once or twice to get the mechanic of a game, but found the experience more technical/boring than fun.
I get having a guest or candidate player watching an in person to see how rpg work, or whether they click with the group, but somehow watching video of strangers playing RPG doesn’t sounds fun to me. But I might miss something considering how popular these actual plays are
I’ve never enjoyed longform campaign actual plays much either. It’s just not feasible to keep up with, and unless you’re playing, most campaign RPGs have too much bookkeeping to pay attention to. And even as a background listen, which I’m sure is how most people do it, gets dull.
And yet I’ve watched quite a few though. It works only if I enjoy the people playing, their wits etc. I have no chemistry with Critical Roll, Mercer included. But really enjoyed Acquisition Incorporated: C Team.
But these days the only kind of APs I find myself watching and consistently enjoying is faster indie RPG one-shots. In particular, Mystery Quest (YouTube) where Tom runs a one-shot for a rotating cast of friends (all of whom very funny people) each month. No miniatures, barely any rules referencing. The heaviest game they run is CoC, and it never gets in the way! There’s even a “duet” Thousand Year Old Vampire session that went surprisingly well.
Anytime any other podcast or channel I already follow for their humor and chemistry does a one shot I also like to listen. The short ones are always a delight. No fatigue, no fomo. It works.
I don’t think I’d ever even consider watching a campaign AP had I started here. There are just not fun unless you’re in them, playing.
Now I am starting to wonder about the idea of “so boring it puts me to sleep,” if that’s actually true, and thus if you could use an actual play video/podcast to fall asleep.
I used to do that as well—playing them in bed with a timer when I couldn’t sleep. All familiar and cozy :]
Only stopped once I realized I couldn’t remember must beyond the first few minutes which was still enough to trigger “FOMO”!