video game culture

Rogue Company, Run the Jewels, and the Music Copyright Problem on Twitch

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I try to protect my video and streaming output from copyright violations. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, multiple copyright violations – such as the unauthorized use of licensed music – can get your account permanently banned. As much as I love Ariana Grande, I know that major record labels that house top artists like her are scanning the internet non-stop and issuing DMCA strikes to everyone who dares to broadcast their music. Because of this, I use DMCA-safe music such as StreamBeats to help set the mood for my streams without putting my accounts at risk.

However, you can be subject to copyright claims, audio muting, and DMCA strikes for more than just the music you play outside of the game. In-game music can get you in trouble too. Was most recently reminded of this thanks to Rogue Company.

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The Value of Classic Atari Games in Modern Times

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I have a soft spot in my heart for Atari games. My earliest gaming memories are of me as a toddler, playing Defender on a hand-me-down Atari 2600. Though it wouldn’t be long before Nintendo took a firm grip of my soul, my nostalgia for that console and its games never let go.

A few days ago, I bought the Atari Flashback Classics collection on the Nintendo Switch. Containing 150 titles released in the arcade, Atari 2600, and Atari 5200, I got it for on sale for a measly $25 CAD (roughly $20 USD). Granted, it’s far from a definitive collection when it comes to selection, but to get ports of so many foundational games of the medium’s history for dirt cheap feels…unsettling.

This reality though isn’t that surprising. While old Nintendo consoles and games are highly sought after and sell for high prices, Atari’s products haven’t retained their value in the same way. If anything, it’s only getting worse as time goes on.

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Don’t Underestimate Your Impact on the Gaming Community

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A recent interaction I had with my 3-year-old nephew got me thinking about our impact on others within the gaming community. Through gaming, the influence of others has greatly shaped me into the person I am now. Odds are, I’ve had a major impact on others through this mutual hobby as well. We all have the power to make a difference in the lives of our family, friends, and fellow gamers through our words and actions. What will you do with that power?

This one started out as a personal anecdote with no real direction. However, as I got going, it felt like an opportunity to discuss how one voice can really make a difference. Adding some of my parents home footage of me and my brother gaming as kids really added to that point. Stick around to the very end to see the moment when I got a Super Nintendo for my birthday! In retrospect, that moment really changed my life!


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EGLX 2019 in Pictures

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The Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo is the largest video gaming convention in Canada. Though the event has been taking place for a few years now, this was my first time attending. Here’s an assortment of pictures and a recap of what we experienced!

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The Process Behind Running My Stream

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Developing my streaming process has been…a process. For a long time, I failed to see the forest through the trees. Trying to squeeze the most performance out of my underpowered hardware, I spent too much time figuring out how to present a technically-competent stream and not enough time thinking about everything else that goes into it. Didn’t have a plan to promote my stream. Didn’t think about what type of content I wanted to create once I got things working. Didn’t even think about why I was doing this in the first place beyond seeing whether I could do it at all.

My aimlessness came back to haunt me when I came up just short of reaching Twitch Affiliate status. Even though it wasn’t a goal I was actively targeting, missing the mark forced me to really think about what I wanted and the steps required to get there. Streaming is still a struggle, but having a better handle on my goals has really helped me define my approach to this demanding hobby.

As of now, this is the process I go through to make each stream happen.

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Streaming and The Journey vs. The Destination

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A while back, I was perusing r/twitch on Reddit when I stumbled on a thread from a user who was struggling to rebuild the audience he once had after taking an eight-month hiatus. At the time, the thread only had one response, but it strongly resonated with me while summarizing the biggest lesson I’ve learned as a streamer.

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A Decade of Geek Conventions and Other Community Events

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I’m not a Star Trek fan. While I enjoyed the first two Chris Pine movies, the franchise’s particular flavour of sci-fi wasn’t my cup of tea. And yet around this time in 2010, I found myself dying of laughter as William Shatner went on a hilarious rant about his time working on the show. Even with no real background on his work or his life, I was moved by the sheer spectacle of this famous guy with a microphone on stage. I still haven’t really delved into the world of Star Trek, but I’ll never forget that one night at Fan Expo Canada.

Up until my wife and I visited our first convention with that William Shatner panel among many other attractions, video games, board games, and other nerdy pursuits (TM) have mostly been a pastime I’d enjoy alone or with a small group of friends. By attending my first convention, it opened the door to celebrate our shared fandoms with a community. My life hasn’t been the same since.

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A Day at the Pretty Heroes Convention in Toronto

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Originating as a Sailor Moon convention years ago, Pretty Heroes in Toronto has expanded in size and scope. More fandoms are represented, though Sailor Moon is still the star of the show. The convention has moved to a larger venue just east of the downtown core. And it’s also the first year my wife and I were in attendance!

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Gaming Room Decor Patch Notes

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As part of my overall streaming redesign, the space that I play in has become an integral part of the viewing experience. Starting out with just a Snorlax beanbag chair on the floor, I’ve since decked out the wall behind me with decor that reflects my interests and life experiences within and outside of gaming. Always get a kick out of eagle-eyed viewers commenting on the wall, whether they have a shared appreciation for a piece or have a question about something on display.

Every few weeks, I swap in a few new pieces here-and-there. Partially because I want to get use out of the many pieces that have sat in storage since we moved into this house, and partially to keep the backdrop fresh for viewers. This time around, the wall has gone through its most dramatic shakeup yet.

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The Downside of Growing as a Streamer?

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During a recent Paper Mario stream, I received a really interesting comment in the chat from a recent follower.

This may seem mean, I hope you get to be a really big streamer, but I also hope you stay small so you can interact with us like this

I have never been on a stream like this with streamer interacting like this

First off, thank you Pokemaster457 for the high praise and support! Secondly, I totally understand what you mean when you say you want me to stay small.

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