#and I'm not paying for Amazon prime. I managed to find the episodes a while back on archive.org but without subtitles

[arttsuka]

Yup. There's a remastered version and the original one (I heard Amazon prime has both but Netflix only has the remastered)

Born to watch the original version with the old special effects, forced to watch the 'remastered' because I need subtitles

[wardensantoineandevka]

Given that you actually know shit about media management and you spend time on spend on twitch, I'm curious if you have thoughts on CR being at the top of the payout list despite being so different than the rest of the list? They're a company with a marketing staff, they only stream once or twice a week, ect. It's surprising to me that they seem to have found such a highly successful niche without imitators.

I don't think it's so complicated other than the fact that Critical Role has content that has actual incentive to pay a sub to access the VODs. The vast majority of Twitch content is people play games and chat while doing it, the VODs for which do often go behind the subscriber only paywall—but there is often very little in that content to actually warrant wanting to pay money to access at a later date. Subscribers to a channel are often paying for benefits like Discord server access, emotes, chat privileges.

Critical Role also has multiple ads running during the pre-episode and break reminding people to subscribe, most especially using their Amazon Prime subscription. A lot of streamers make a concerted effort for the same thing, but Critical Role in my experience due to their pre-recorded ad does a lot more consistent job of it and, again, the incentive is better. I don't think this is entirely the reason why, but I do think it's part of the reason they convert to subs and such better than so many streamers with higher follower counts.

I won't go into a whole breakdown of what contributed to its success in 2015, but that early success contributes to success now as well.

On the "without imitators" sentiment, there is a large number of actual play shows on Twitch that do actually attempt to imitate specifically Critical Role. There's a very vibrant actual play scene on Twitch. None of these are imitators because they're doing their own thing and approach, but of that scene, there's Rivals of Waterdeep, Into the Mother Lands, Kollok 1991 on Hyper RPG among their other shows, Mana Pot Studios, Dice Ex Machina (@CriticalBard is on their second season!) and other Saving Throw Show series. I've played in several Twitch-streamed one-shots and miniseries myself.

As to why other are nowhere near the top or make as much, I'm going to let Zac Eubank, former showrunner for Geek & Sundry including of Critical Role and current COO of Hyper RPG, explain that one: "As the person who decided to put that show on the air, I can tell you it is 100% lightning in a bottle. I have spent years telling clients that sadly they will not be the next CR, there won't be another. That's fine. Let's work together to find ways to succeed without lightning. Lots of factors in that first year, many of which I am under NDA on and unable to share, lead to its rise. I am glad they are at the top, but I want to see more story tellers in the top 1000 of that list. Let's get us there."

[bbugyu]

NO YOU ARE SO CUTE HELP 😭😭 i love how you elaborated some details and things you liked from each show you’ve watched/you’re watching 😩 the dedication ✨ i checked every reco and i must say u have immaculate taste omg???? the synopses have piqued my interest to the point that they r already on my watchlist KSJDSKJSKS THE DOKI EFFECT 😎

i’m currently watching trixie motel and when i tell you i absolutely love everything from it!!!! the colors of the rooms, the themes, the whole transformation UGH chef’s kiss 🤌 thank you so much for this reco aaaaaa i really enjoy watching it :(( such a serotonin boost!

i definitely need to avail hbo go membership, apple tv+, and other streaming platforms bcs netflix just ain’t doing it for me 😒

hope you’re doing well, love! 💗

- 🐰

PLEASESADSDF im not cute 😠😠😠 i just.... hyperfocus really easily LMAO can't you tell by the way i write about jeonghan ??

YESSS I'M SO GLAD UR ENJOYING TRIXIE MOTEL THAT SHIT GIVES ME SO MUCH SEROTONINNNNN i'm actually two episodes behind bc my life has been Very Hectic this lovely wonwoo month and i wish it had more to do with wonwoo and less to do with everything in my life exploding at once. BUT WE GOOD and i neeeeed to catch up asap i can't believe it's already over 😭😭

new show alert! i am currently watching extraordinary attorney woo week to week (about the first autistic attorney in korea and the cases she tackles as a rookie) and i just started it's okay to not be okay, both on netflix! i know the latter got a lot of hype while it was airing but that was before i had really given a lot of kdramas a shot (i also don't generally like jdramas despite being japanese because i find the writing a little tumultuous buuuut these newer dramas are so well written and acted???) and now that i'm full force into them i can't stop watching more. i also recently stanned fromis_9 because i watched the hybe picnic (for svt obviously) and i literally fell in love with every single one of them and i've been bopping to their music for literal years so. took the plunge! and i saw that gyuri was in its okay to not be okay so! I HAD TO WATCH ITDKJSFHSDKJHF

i am very fortunate that i have a network of friends and family and we all pay for different streaming services and share passwords LMAO like me and my partner only pay for hulu and amazon prime but i'm on my parents' netflix still, my brother has hbo max, and @babiemingoo lets me use her disney+ account sdfhjkhafsk sharing is caring!

ngl these have been trying times but i am okay! i'm managing best i can, keeping my head up, and continuing to indulge in hobbies even if i barely have time for them, because that's how i've learned to stay sane haha. and things are looking to be heading in a positive direction after today so we good!

i hope you're doing well too!