Tag Archives: streaming

Considering streaming IP rights from a corporate perspective.

The sixth episode of the podcast is out. I talk about the other side of the streaming IP rights coin–the rights of game publishers/developers. The inspiration for this episode came from a mini-interview that Esports In A Nutshell conducted with well-known esports lawyer Bryce Blum, specifically stemming from Blum’s answer to a question about the future of spectator modes in games. He pivoted to SpectateFaker, which shouldn’t be the context this issue is framed in.

Now, I’m not a lawyer, but I think there’s a little balance to be struck in looking at the wholly corporate perspective of reclaiming revenue generated–in whole or in part–by that corporation’s intellectual property. Don’t worry, I don’t attack the beggars or sellouts that stream. It’s all about exploring the potential company line.

In: esports unions. Out: edgy hosts.

2GD has released a second statement addressing the aftermath of the end of his career hosting official Valve events and snuck in an important preview of his plans.

I’m flying to Twitch HQ, They were kind -fucking awesome- enough to contact me about the situation and even book flights for me to visit them in America and then send me home!

While there, I’m going to work on a casters’ union. The talent at this major gave some great feedback. It’s a little too much work for me currently with everything. But a lot of people, including myself feel it’s needed and are willing to help, so I have no doubt we will get it done. Hopefully it helps sort out any future issues for parties like Valve and other organizers. I mean, other industries have figured this stuff out, and so should we.

We know there’s an unofficial Dota 2 union in the ether somewhere, and Richard Lewis has mentioned that he’s working on a more comprehensive organization effort, but there has been no discernible effort made for unionizing broadcasters and production crew.

Twitch getting involved might speed some aspects of these negotiations along, but it’s probably not the cure-all that everyone expects it to be. What are the possibilities that Amazon/Twitch/GoodGame end up reserving some sort of exclusive rights to represent players? Perhaps restricting a Twitch-sanctioned union to players that exclusively stream on Twitch? Or Twitch-exclusive events?

Even if these sort of organization efforts are benefits, I can’t see how any teams contracted to play in organizations like, say, the LCS, are able to organize under the threat of misconduct penalties. Toxic to the competitive spirit of the LCS?

Call me a horrible, moronic skeptic, but I’m horrible, moronic skeptical.

By the by, I released another episode of the podcast on Saturday. Next episode tomorrow.

Surprise: the stream didn’t happen this weekend. I played Heroes instead.

So, whaddya know? My streaming process wasn’t as foolproof and straight-forward as I thought.

The breakdown lies in the converter box that I’m using to translate the component out from my PlayStation 2 to an HDMI compatible signal to the Elgato Game Capture HD60. It was able to output a picture to my capture box, but the signal dropped out every few seconds or so and made playing an action game like Ace Combat 5 unrealistic.

lunarJaina_frame-800In other news, I finally paid for a skin in a Dota-clone this weekend. I paid for the Lunar Jaina skin as a part of the Lunar 2016 Package.

I mean, just look at it.

I admit I am just a weak, weak man.

Heroes of the Storm has been growing on me, a lot, lately. The simplified leveling mechanics allows for a map’s objectives and mid-to-late game kills matter so much more. It also helps that the game’s precision skills don’t really require pinpoint accuracy, like other popular Dota-clones do. There’s just something about how easy it is to pick up and the level of cat-and-mouse play that’s goes into any given lane’s matchup.

LFZ2PW8U7YKI1454437553191And look at the Lunar Dragon mount. I DO DECLARE THAT IT IS STRAIGHT FIRE. I am going to use this both the Jaina skin and the Dragon mount whenever I play as her. I suppose I also got access to Illidan and a skin of his as well, but forget that!

I now instantly understand why skins are such a huge part of Dota-clones’ business plans and profitability.