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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Student-run gaming channel focuses on skill and comedy

    One general studies major has started up his own YouTube channel dedicated to gaming. Live streaming “League of Legends,” senior Joseph Matherne started making content during the previous spring semester on his channel BowS1R.

    “I took a semester off when I started touring with Light Wire Theater,” said Matherne. “That’s when I kind of wanted to start becoming a content creator. I’ve had to put it on the back burner because of school recently. The best stuff that’s on there currently is from last year.” 

    “League of Legends” is a multiplayer online PC game. Developed by Riot Games, it is an online battle arena style game where players control  a single character in a team setting. Matherne tries to create content that is comedic as well as based on his skills in game.

    ‘“League of Legends’ is one of the most popular online games right now,” said Matherne. “There are so many people who are trying to be content creators on YouTube right now as far as video games go, so I try to direct my content towards comedy but also skill. I like people to be impressed by the content they see or just make them laugh, just to make them enjoy something.”

    Matherne started playing video games in the beginning of his childhood.

    “Video games have always been a part of my life since I was three years old,” said Matherne. “By the time people could read, I was picking up a controller and playing Nintendo 64 and Super Nintendo. I remember one of the first games I played was ‘Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.’”

    According to Matherne, YouTube and Twitch, a live streaming video platform, has become one possible avenue for those looking to pursue video games professionally.

    “Since I’ve been involved in video games and now there are so many different professions to be a video gamer, you can play video games on Twitch or on YouTube,” said Matherne. “A lot of gamers are going into the facet of streaming and becoming content creators and also doing the YouTube thing in order to make their investments and make their money.”

    Matherne feels that focusing on skill is what can separate a League of Legends content creator from other live streamers on Youtube. Skill is an important component of the content on Matherne’s channel.

    “If you’re just starting to stream, no one is going to know who you are,” said Matherne. “Nobody’s going to understand what your channel’s about. No one’s going to go to your YouTube channel because they don’t know who you are. You’re not a big name. In ‘League of Legends,’ that’s what matters is your rank. If you’re good at the game, then it’ll show. You can get 10 of your buddies to go online and watch your stream, but you’re trying to attract other people. You want the people that are going to be like, ‘Oh my God, this is really funny,’ or ‘Oh my God, this person is really, really good.’”

    By focusing on skill, Matherne believes he can inspire other gamers.

    “I’m a competitive person, so when I can sit down at a computer or on a console and have nine other people randomly chosen for me to compete with that’s what it’s about to me,” said Matherne. “It’s about competing. It is about being the best. As far as the YouTube channel goes, I don’t want my YouTube channel to be about me being the best. The YouTube channel is for people to be inspired. If you ever go to someone’s YouTube channel, and it’s a good channel, you’ll always want to play the game they’re playing. You’ll want to invest time in that game.”

    Matherne believes video games are a common outlet for those looking to take a break from their daily stressors and relax.

    “I’m going to want to have fun,” said Matherne. “Test new ideas that probably won’t work but will end up having a very funny outcome. Just because people like to laugh, and a lot of people choose video games because they want to laugh. They want to breach the reality of aggravation, of day-to-day crap basically. I know a lot of people play video games due to the fact that it is a gateway. It’s a way out from all the stuff they’re doing.”

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