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I Started Streaming on Twitch!

A dream I have had for a while has finally been accomplished - I have started streaming myself playing video games!

I use OBS Studio, my Elgato Game Capture HD, my ASUS Laptop and my Blue Snowball for recording my video and audio. I usually stream for about 1-3 hours, 3 times a week. I stream new games and ones I am already familiar with, adding my own challenge mode to them for some extra fun.

Although it is difficult to set up a consistent schedule while maintaining a full-time job, I am enjoying this new part of my life as I am a fan of being in front of a live audience.

Click the image to be taken to my Twitch channel!

I Started a Blog on Blogspot!

I have a great passion for writing, so I decided that, because I am no longer in school, I would write reviews on games, merchandise and food for my fans of my Twitter and Twitch accounts. I also write self-reflection posts, something I always have considered myself to be good at.

So far I am gaining about 5-9 views for each post!

Click the picture to go to my blog!

Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U Study

Online Communities Overview Video

I started a study researching new players to Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS' online environment. I looked at players who I labeled griefers - players who play for fun.

I have conducted a research on the two different playstyles for Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U: "friends" and normal players. By looking through a lens of social psychology and cultural studies, I can evaluate why the "friend" players act unconventionally.

Research Overview Video

In another video I created for a final class project, I talk about my relationship to the game and a little about the Smash Bros. series' history. This video is more for an audience unaware of what the game is. I also introduce the two different players you can encounter online. This video is my starting video for my YouTube series on researching the online communities of Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U.

The Difference Between Friendly and Standard Players Video

In this video, I introduce the two different types of players you can see online in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U. I show and talk about the ways friendly players communicate and show how they are different from standard players. I also talk about the objectives of friendly and standard players.

Super Smash Bros. Anti-Ad Video

For a class, I created an Anti-Ad video using the old 1999 Smash Bros. game advertisement. An Anti-Ad basically flips the original meaning of the ad upside-down and creates a whole other meaning of the ad. In my video, the characters are making friends with each other instead of fighting. I also put some similar scenes from the original video in the Anti-ad to keep it as close to the original as possible. This video was a fun one to create and helped me hone my Adobe Premiere skills a little more.

Smash Bros. Online Research Questions

Is there a different culture associated with "friend" players and nonfriend players? What could this cultural gap do to the game?

What are the rules to the "friend" players' culture?

Do the limitations of the game alter the "friend" culture in any way?

=>Did Nintendo purposefully put limitations in the game to cut out "friend" players?

How would a new Smash Bros. player get into playing in the "friend" culture?

=> Is it easier to play as a "Friend" or as a regular player?

How do the two different modes (For Fun and For Glory) affect the "Friend" culture?

=> Do more "friend" players play on a certain mode and why?

Are there different, but common, personality types seen with "friend" players?

How do "friend" players use the game mechanics to their advantage? Ex: Items, Stages, Character Movesets

Give a theory as to where the "friend" culture first appeared? How did "taunt battles" first appear?

How does the "friend" culture still stay strong?

What is the difference between the "friend" culture in the first game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl verses the recent title, Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U?

Are there any differences of online culture between Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U?

Why call "friend" players "friends" and not griefers?

What new rules emerged for Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U after the online mode of Super Smash Bros. Brawl?

How to fight successfully against "friend" players?

How to fight successfully with "friend" players?

What types of matches can you encounter when playing online?

How often do you see a "taunt battle" online in each mode? Is one mode more common than the other?

People often find "taunt battles" to be boring or uninteresting. What do you do in "taunt battles?"

Perform an analysis on online forums, websites and other resources where people talk about "taunt battles" and/or "friend" players.

=> Why is the "friend" culture for the most part, ignored or disliked?

How to potentially be the best "friend" player out there.

What could Nintendo do better in the future if another Smash Bros. game comes out for an online mode?

=> What did Nintendo do wrong for "friend" players in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U?

=> What did Nintendo do wrong for "friend" players in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?

Meredith A. MacDonald