U.S. chess champion Hikaru Nakamura does not view himself as a streamer gaming superstar; however, the huge number of followers on his Twitch channel suggests otherwise. Twitch is an interactive live streaming platform where video gamers broadcast their games and watch others play. Although Nakamura joined a few years ago, his popularity grew during the pandemic when people were at home looking for new things to do. Listen to hear Nakamura’s advice for new chess players and find out why some people are not happy about his success on Twitch.
Story Length: 2:15
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November 10, 2021
4:45
The video game Firewatch helped high school senior Jack Kelley realize that the world is a surprising place. In the game, players become a character who is a fire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. Kelley’s experience playing the video game inspired him to visit fire lookout towers across the US. In five years, Kelley has visited hundreds of towers. Doing so has influenced his future goals and strengthened his relationship with his father. Listen to hear Kelley discuss his visits to fire lookout towers and learn how the experiences have changed him.
Read MoreOctober 7, 2020
3:40
The popular game “Settlers of Catan” is celebrating its 25th anniversary. When it first appeared, the board game revolutionized game playing by requiring players to communicate and work together in order to win. Although the game has sold steadily through the years, its popularity has surged during the pandemic, when many people are stuck at home. Listen to hear the German inventor of the game explain where the idea for “Settlers” came from and why he thinks it continues to attract so many fans.
Read MoreFebruary 20, 2020
4:26
Several universities are offering students the chance to major in a subject unheard of just a few years ago: competitive video gaming, or esports. Esports have gained a huge following in recent years, allowing athletes to earn money through sponsorships, merchandise, and tournament winnings. Fans watch games not only online, but also at arenas that can draw thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Listen to hear how schools are preparing students for careers in this growing field and how some people are working to make esports more inclusive.
Read MoreJanuary 2, 2019
3:50
The popular video game Fortnite has millions of players, and while the game is free, Fortnite coaches are getting paid up to $25 an hour. Some of these coaches are hired by parents who want to help their children get better at the popular shooter game. Some experts believe that Fortnite is becoming something of a social proving ground for children with a lot of pressure to win. Listen to hear more about the how and why of Fortnite coaching.
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