ABSTRACT

Microstreamers broadcast their video game play and commentary to small audiences on YouTube and Twitch. To draw a holistic picture of their motivations, this study conducted semi-structured interviews employing two complementary frameworks. A Uses and Gratifications approach showed that social integrative needs predominate – even personal integrative and affective need satisfaction depend on audience. In parallel, a Self-Determination Theory approach demonstrated satisfaction of three fundamental needs: the autonomy of an artist–entrepreneur; the relatedness of a community leader; and skill competence displayed to an audience. Microstreamers are driven to “find their people” online, where, through performance, they “find themselves” anew.

摘要

Microstreamers 在 YouTube 和 Twitch 上向少数观众播放他们的视频游戏和评论。为了全面了解他们的动机，本研究采用两个互补的框架进行了半结构化访谈。使用和满足方法表明，社会综合需求占主导地位——甚至个人综合和情感需求的满足也取决于受众。与此同时，自决理论方法证明了三个基本需求的满足：艺术家-企业家的自主性；社区领袖的相关性；和技能能力展示给观众。Microstreamers 被驱使在网上“寻找他们的人”，通过表演，他们重新“找到自己”。