I've been watching a lot of live play RPG shows. They're the best reality TV, especially with good actors or voice actors playing the characters. There's gotten to be A LOT of them. Do you think there could be a Netflix or Prime type series?
What do you mean by a "Netflix or Prime type series"? Do you just mean "actual play but on a streaming service rather than YouTube/Twitch"? If so, those already exist, there's Dimension 20 on Dropout and Harmonquest was bounced around several streaming platforms (I think it was even on Peacock at one point but I might be misremembering).
If you mean an adaptation of a live play into another format, again, already a thing. Critical Role was animated as Legend of Vox Machina on Amazon Prime, two seasons out, third coming, and their second campaign is getting a season.
It is not outside the realm of possibility - but it would be an uphill battle for any streaming platform. The real issue these platforms will have is exactly the point you raise in your post—there are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of hours of existing content, including some extremely entrenched shows (your Critical Role folks). To make matters worse, all of those shows are available for free online.
That makes a few problems for your streaming platforms. First, there is competition available for free or from dedicated sites for this kind of content—never a good position to be in, particularly when that competition is so voluminous that a person could watch the free content for an age without running out of material.
That, in turn, brings you to your second problem—you might get viewers on your platform, but you are unlikely to get new viewership. These streaming sites rely on shows that bring in new viewers or retain viewers. Given how much free competition there is elsewhere, these let’s play shows are more likely to be shows of convenience—“I already have Netflix, might as well watch the show they made.” That is not a sustainable show type for these streaming giants (which is also why they sometimes axe good shows—they might be popular among folks who already pay for Netflix, but they do not bring a return on investment themselves).
There are also issues in how you differentiate yourself and bring in viewers (you likely would need to shell out some cash for a few big names, undermining the “it is cheap to produce” element which makes reality TV appealing to studio executives). You also have the issue that, while let’s play is popular among a large segment of certain fandoms, it still is not something the general public at large cares about, which means you are catering to a limited demographic. Then there are issues with many in the let’s play fandom having incredible loyalty to their particular streams, making it even harder to pull viewers to your new platform.
Overall, this is something I could see happening—perhaps more so at Amazon, since they are investing heavily in Critical Role and that seems to be paying off—but there are some substantial challenges that other reality TV does not face.
Edit: I forgot about Harmonquest - A show that proves that this model does not do super great for paid streaming. Despite having a big name behind it, the show, as Davyd mentioned, bounced about for a bit and never really could find a place where it made financial sense for the hosting platform to maintain it.
So what do you mean by a "Netflix... type series"? Like, literally on a platform like Netflix or just in a similar format to stuff on that. Also, it's almost certainly just me but I dunno what you mean by "Prime" lol.
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Thank you for the education. I hadn't known about Harmonquest. I've since watched a little of it. It was okay. Not exactly what I thought it would be.
I had just finished watching Candela Obscura and was deeply impressed and moved by the characterizations and acting. I've also been impressed by Children of Earte and DesiQuest for the same reasons. In DesiQuest, there is also the added joy of bringing Desi culture to life. It is difficult for me to imagine that other people won't be as impressed by and enjoy deeply as I am being autistic and all.
I've enjoyed the Real Housewives of DnD and Daddies and Dungeons as podcasts, but I don't think it will translate as well to a TV show type format.
It seems to me that the success of the "other streaming formats" success suggests that there is success to be had.
There are lots of these out there on the web. They very greatly in quality and watchability. I find that it is the inclusion of voice actors if not actual actors that really elevates it as a medium where the characters become more than "I swing my broadsword," and "I'm a fighter, so I fight things" type role play that I've experienced around the table and on some of the live role play shows.
I think the error that most people make when trying to bring live action role play to more traditional mediums is that they think it will be boring to watch five to seven people sitting around a table live action role playing. The inclusion of animation seems more a distraction than an improvement.
Netflix would probably cancel the show before the campaign was over
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
So, the consensus is that it isn't a viable reality TV show format. It is best left to YouTube and individual websites and patreon and membership funding?
Pretty much. Netflix seems to have a business model of chasing after the idea of a big win with every new show, and any new show that isn't a huge hit that brings in lots of new viewers gets the axe quickly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
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Howdy y'all!
I've been watching a lot of live play RPG shows. They're the best reality TV, especially with good actors or voice actors playing the characters. There's gotten to be A LOT of them. Do you think there could be a Netflix or Prime type series?
Huzzah!
Jack
What do you mean by a "Netflix or Prime type series"? Do you just mean "actual play but on a streaming service rather than YouTube/Twitch"? If so, those already exist, there's Dimension 20 on Dropout and Harmonquest was bounced around several streaming platforms (I think it was even on Peacock at one point but I might be misremembering).
If you mean an adaptation of a live play into another format, again, already a thing. Critical Role was animated as Legend of Vox Machina on Amazon Prime, two seasons out, third coming, and their second campaign is getting a season.
Or do you mean some third option?
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
It is not outside the realm of possibility - but it would be an uphill battle for any streaming platform. The real issue these platforms will have is exactly the point you raise in your post—there are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of hours of existing content, including some extremely entrenched shows (your Critical Role folks). To make matters worse, all of those shows are available for free online.
That makes a few problems for your streaming platforms. First, there is competition available for free or from dedicated sites for this kind of content—never a good position to be in, particularly when that competition is so voluminous that a person could watch the free content for an age without running out of material.
That, in turn, brings you to your second problem—you might get viewers on your platform, but you are unlikely to get new viewership. These streaming sites rely on shows that bring in new viewers or retain viewers. Given how much free competition there is elsewhere, these let’s play shows are more likely to be shows of convenience—“I already have Netflix, might as well watch the show they made.” That is not a sustainable show type for these streaming giants (which is also why they sometimes axe good shows—they might be popular among folks who already pay for Netflix, but they do not bring a return on investment themselves).
There are also issues in how you differentiate yourself and bring in viewers (you likely would need to shell out some cash for a few big names, undermining the “it is cheap to produce” element which makes reality TV appealing to studio executives). You also have the issue that, while let’s play is popular among a large segment of certain fandoms, it still is not something the general public at large cares about, which means you are catering to a limited demographic. Then there are issues with many in the let’s play fandom having incredible loyalty to their particular streams, making it even harder to pull viewers to your new platform.
Overall, this is something I could see happening—perhaps more so at Amazon, since they are investing heavily in Critical Role and that seems to be paying off—but there are some substantial challenges that other reality TV does not face.
Edit: I forgot about Harmonquest - A show that proves that this model does not do super great for paid streaming. Despite having a big name behind it, the show, as Davyd mentioned, bounced about for a bit and never really could find a place where it made financial sense for the hosting platform to maintain it.
If it were on Netflix, there'd be a paywall.
So what do you mean by a "Netflix... type series"? Like, literally on a platform like Netflix or just in a similar format to stuff on that. Also, it's almost certainly just me but I dunno what you mean by "Prime" lol.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Amazon Prime Video
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Which is also a subscription-based streaming service.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Howdy y'all!
Thank you for the education. I hadn't known about Harmonquest. I've since watched a little of it. It was okay. Not exactly what I thought it would be.
I had just finished watching Candela Obscura and was deeply impressed and moved by the characterizations and acting. I've also been impressed by Children of Earte and DesiQuest for the same reasons. In DesiQuest, there is also the added joy of bringing Desi culture to life. It is difficult for me to imagine that other people won't be as impressed by and enjoy deeply as I am being autistic and all.
I've enjoyed the Real Housewives of DnD and Daddies and Dungeons as podcasts, but I don't think it will translate as well to a TV show type format.
It seems to me that the success of the "other streaming formats" success suggests that there is success to be had.
There are lots of these out there on the web. They very greatly in quality and watchability. I find that it is the inclusion of voice actors if not actual actors that really elevates it as a medium where the characters become more than "I swing my broadsword," and "I'm a fighter, so I fight things" type role play that I've experienced around the table and on some of the live role play shows.
I think the error that most people make when trying to bring live action role play to more traditional mediums is that they think it will be boring to watch five to seven people sitting around a table live action role playing. The inclusion of animation seems more a distraction than an improvement.
Huzzah!
Jack
Netflix would probably cancel the show before the campaign was over
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Sadly that doesn't make it any worse than wotzy in that field.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Netflix would probably announce the cancelation of the show the same day they uploaded the first (and only) season.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
So, the consensus is that it isn't a viable reality TV show format. It is best left to YouTube and individual websites and patreon and membership funding?
Huzzah!
Jack
Pretty much. Netflix seems to have a business model of chasing after the idea of a big win with every new show, and any new show that isn't a huge hit that brings in lots of new viewers gets the axe quickly.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.