5 Ways to Push Gaming as a Spectator Phenomenon

John of GAMElitist.com - "Being modern creatures of the internet, we’ve no doubt tuned into a stream and watched someone play a game live. Bypassing our own want to jump on Starcraft, League of Legends, Steam or fire up Minecraft for our own game, we sometimes make the choice to observe complete strangers. What gives?"

[Gaming101]

There are fewer things more boring than watching other people play videogames... lol I'd rather be playing them myself, you really aren't going to learn anything about strategy by watching snippets of matches here and there from people playing each other screaming at their team mates.
Is there really anyone more annoying or obnoxious than a "pro gamer"? South Park did a brilliant episode on this, where you have obnoxious gamers screaming at each other that the other team mate didn't practice enough, only 8 hours instead of 12 hours a day, I mean seriously, get a life you losers.

[wagnus]

Don't judge people's interests based on your own. I'm sorry you don't like watching people play videogames, but there is definitely a niche for it.
"Spectator Phenomenon" doesn't necessarily mean PRO GAMING. Websites like twitch.tv are rising because it's the one corner of the internet at the moment that people want to watch others play games.
I can throw a baseball and catch a football - does that mean I shouldn't watch professionals do it? Of course I want to. Sports will never be a career for me, just as gaming won't, but I'd like to watch others do the same.
Gaming101, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this article is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Gaming101]

lol I'm sorry, I don't understand 'virgin speak', you'll have to send that by me again. If you watch other people play videogames you have gone from having no life to needing to be locked up in a mental institution. I laughed my ass off when South Park made fun of losers who are into watching others play videogames as a "sport", which in itself is an insult to sports everywhere. If videogames are a sport then checkers and monopoly are sports.
I'm not looking for points from some neck beard fat virgin on the internet - so GFY.

[shodan74]

Starcraft is huge in South Korea. It's pretty much a mainstream sport there.

I think the two main things are having a game that has made a big impression on the public consciousness, and having commentators who are entertaining and smart enough to keep you along for the ride.