For those of you who don't know, "Let's Plays" are a genre of videos uploaded to video sites like YouTube and Twitch where one person or a group of people play a video game through and make commentary while playing. It's relatively simple to make, just pick a game, get a capture card, a laptop, a microphone, and go; and yet, this genre of video has proven massively popular on the internet, and I have some theories as to why.

One reason is because of the personalities on display. Some of the more popular "Let's Play" channels have unique and comedic personalities that can liven up a play session, add hilarious context to a cutscene, add unique insight and trivia about a game you didn't know about, and play well off of each other. This was one of the primary reasons I got hooked on "Let's Plays."

One of my favorite "Let's Play" channels is called Super Gaming Brothers, and the personalities are one of the main reasons why I watch. It's fun watching brothers Johnny and Elliot play off of each other and their friend Matt, especially when the game proves frustrating or Matt tells a strange joke. Similar to stand up comedy, you watch "Let's Plays" to see colorful personalities tell jokes.

Another reason they are so popular is that they act as modern day guide books for people who have a hard time getting through a certain portion of the game. Before YouTube existed (which feels like forever ago), we would buy printed guide books that would help us navigate certain sections, now people just use "Let's Plays," which allows gamers to save money and has the benefit of helping gamers who may be illiterate.

This brings me to my final reason and the one that's most interesting to me. "Let's Plays" allow people who are less fortunate than others to experience games. I know that sounds strange, but stay with me. Many people don't have the economic means to buy every game and every console. Many people just aren't that good at games, but still want to experience the culture on a certain level.

"Let's Plays" are ultimately free to watch on YouTube and they allow people who maybe could only afford one console at the time experience games on other consoles, or experience a game that looked aesthetically pleasing to them and had an interesting story, but they aren't a fan of the gameplay. This has the potential to turn people who aren't gamers into gamers somewhere down the line.

"Let's Plays" are a unique genre of videos create from our digital age. It allows us to experience talented people who may not have been recognized anywhere else. We get to experience games that we may not have been able to experience due to our financial limitations or physical/mental disabilities. "Let's Plays" have the capacity to do some real good in the world and I hope others see why they're so popular with people.