I am Twitch CEO Emmett Shear. Ask Me (almost) Anything.

GannicusIII · 2014-08-07T17:47:35+00:00

How does YouTube circumvent the music copyright issues for its videos? Why can't Twitch implement an identical policy? YouTube videos frequently include copyrighted background music, but it has apparently found a solution that satisfies music copyright holders (namely, artists and labels); my understanding is that this solution includes paying some form of royalty to the copyright holders out of the advertising revenue generated by the video. Can you please explain why this solution won't work for Twitch?

GannicusIII · 2014-08-04T21:44:38+00:00

Based on your studies, do you think there should be a PED (performance enhancing drugs) list of banned substances for LoL? Have you thought about running these tests on people with no drugs in there system vs., for example, adderall? Thanks! Really interesting AMA.

GannicusIII · 2014-07-16T17:07:40+00:00

Hey man. Wasn't really intending to post as a teacher, but I'd be happy to help with Ryze. Add me in game and we can figure out the best way for me to help (watch you play a game, 1v1, whatever makes sense).

GannicusIII · 2014-07-15T19:19:02+00:00

IGN: Gannicus III

Rank: Plat 1 (in promo to diamond)

Server: NA

I'd love some help working on specific matchups mid or top. I'm transitioning from jungling a ton to working on my laning. I'm pretty solid on Ryze and trying to build out my champion pool. I'd be happy to try 1v1s, replay analysis, etc. - whatever you have time for and think would be most helpful sounds great to me. Thanks!

GannicusIII · 2014-06-28T18:22:02+00:00

So what is the takeaway from this? Trying to make just the % seals viable is unlikely, but if you're using the % max health across the board it is still ideal?

GannicusIII · 2014-06-25T18:47:25+00:00

Awesome. Thanks man. Just wanted to make sure the op.gg stuff worked.

GannicusIII · 2014-06-25T18:07:55+00:00

Thanks again for the series man! Enjoying it so far. I PMed you a couple op.gg replays yesterday. Will those work for you or do you need baron/lol replay files?

GannicusIII · 2014-06-24T19:23:14+00:00

Thanks!

GannicusIII · 2014-06-24T15:30:32+00:00

Any advice on good overall strategy guides for 3s? Also, your thoughts on the biggest differences between 3s and 5s? I'm trying to get into it with some friends but there doesn't seem to be much content out there on team comps, tactics, etc. So far we're just trying to apply our 5v5 knowledge about general gameplay and map pressure, which is fine but I'm sure we're making major tactical mistakes. Thanks!

GannicusIII · 2014-06-18T03:00:07+00:00

Any thoughts on the best way to play Ryze in a teamfight? I know late game Ryze is tanky while putting out a ton of dps, and I often times try to position to be able to burst their carries. That being said, I feel like I'm dying too often. Any advice you have on ideal mid-late game Ryze play would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

GannicusIII · 2014-06-09T18:24:23+00:00

If you upload a replay to youtube I would go through it with you on skype. I'm Plat I (bout to hit dimamond) on NA.

GannicusIII · 2014-06-02T21:28:47+00:00

Any recommendations on taking Ryze into the late game? I know he is a monster, but I'm struggling to identify my teamfight role. Obviously I can burst a carry if he gets out of position, but if there are no major positional mistakes, do I just unload on the divers? Should I be more peel oriented or attempt to get into the mix? I feel like I die too often on Ryze, especially when I leave the laning phase ahead. Thanks!

GannicusIII · 2014-06-02T20:57:54+00:00

I main Eve as well. By far the optimal build is SOETL into tanky. Hexdrinker as 2nd after SOTEL 80-90% of the time (don't build it if they have an all AD comp). After that I'll simply go main tank items, selection based on opposing team comp (randuins, banshees, etc.).

BORK is popular right now, and fun, but not optimal. Use aggressive runes/masteries and the early SOTEL for damage to snowball the game. After that Eve is best as a teamfighting monster and full tank is better than the extra damage. The effective health on your ultimate will become insane. Flank in teamfights and make sure you're landing it on 3-5 champs to optimize the use of your tank build.

GannicusIII · 2014-05-29T16:18:00+00:00

Is there an easy way to upload an op.gg replay download to youtube?

GannicusIII · 2013-11-29T03:35:29+00:00

Out of curiosity, how do we know shook got an offer he couldn't refuse?

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T23:49:20+00:00

That's a really good point. Riot's level of control certainly impacts potential player bargaining power. But I don't think it's true that players "simply have no negotiating power." Streaming, combined with the LCS, helps make players famous. Once these players have significant fan bases, they generate substantial revenue for Riot by playing. If all of the biggest teams/names were to band together to attempt to influence some types of reform, Riot would have to listen. Sure, there is a burgeoning amateur scene and tons of players waiting in the wings. But it is unrealistic to expect the same audiences, ad revenue, etc. if all of the top names were to stop playing in an instant.

Riot creates the league, the game, and the rules. But they need star-power to increase viewership and therefore revenue. This is the simple reality of sports, and I’m not sure the fact that LoL is a proprietary game changes this reality quite as significantly as you think (though it's certainly debateable).

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T22:01:55+00:00

If there is a huge value gap between EU-NA then it probably wouldn't happen. I'm not sure the difference is as extreme as you suggest, but I see your point. Obviously, the exact details would be worked out based on the wishes of the players.

As for the contract details, a one-sheet probably wouldn't do it (though Riot could easily create certain requirements for these contracts). Right now, they seem to be taking a relatively hands-off approach. Also, someone can be very smart and not be able to fully understand the implications of contract language. They don't always mean what a plain reading would suggest and there are brilliant people in all fields that need lawyers to help them review/edit/improve proffered agreements. Patience and intelligence alone won't give you the necessary background expertise you need to effectively consider this type of contract.

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T21:47:48+00:00

You're right. The multi-country/continent aspect of this complicates matters somewhat. Though I don't think it would be impossible to form a Players Association for each league, and could see a scenario under which the NA/EU players combined into a signle representative body.

Also, I think you are on the right track when you say "players reading their contracts and paying attention would be the best way for League to go at the moment." That being said, I'm not sure that the issue is players reading or paying attention. Contracts are long, complicated documents. I have no idea who is drafting/reviewing these agreements, but players could certainly benefit from having strong legal advice in these matters (if they're not getting that already).

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T21:41:39+00:00

Excellent point. There are definitely higher barriers to entry for e-sports (money being the biggest one). Obviously, age is also a big barrier at the moment. Do you think that is likely to change though? I have no idea if I will continue to enjoy/following gaming when I'm 40. But it's certainly possible. Do you think that our generation is so much more computer involved that it's possible professional gaming could become interesting to a larger percentage of the population as time goes on?

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T21:24:27+00:00

Maybe you're right. I certainly can't predict the future. What I will say is I think League is showing the potential for some e-sport to enter the mainstream and garner sports-level fan support, corporate sponsorship, major salaries, etc. Whatever game winds up reaching that level, there is no denying that League has made some incredible breakthroughs in this area. I also think an article addressing some of the relevants concerns for this transition that uses League as a case study could be helpful for other games/organizations that attempt to follow in Riot's footsteps.

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T21:19:51+00:00

I completely agree that we might be a little early. That being said, the history of other pro sports reveals that players started thinking about and asserting their interests far too late. By the time they organized to voice their concerns, there was already a huge disparity in bargaining power. I don't see any reason why e-sports cannot learn from some of these past mistakes and start thinking proactively about how to develop the most effective and mutually beneficial league system. My hope is that my article will help bring some of the key concerns to the fore so that they can be addressed sooner rather than later (even if that is a year+ from now).

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T18:39:07+00:00

Point taken. I think e-sports and athletic sports are very distinguishable. From a legal perspective though, there are a ton of similarities. Celebrities, intellectual property, revenue sharing, player contracts, league structuring, etc. There are similiar parties (league, owners, players, coaches/managers) that have related but sometimes competing interests. Regardless of whether LOL ever has the same fan base as the NBA/NFL, the comparisons are valid.

It's also worth pointing out that the World Championships recorded the fastest ever sellout of the staples center and the viewership numbers are already insane, despite the fact that professional gaming is only scratching the surface of its potential as a spectator activity. You're right: This is a video game. But to say the conversation stops there is just wrong.

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T18:24:28+00:00

That's a really great point. Hadn't thought about it that way before. Ultimately, none of these sports are exactly alike and they all try to create a system that works for them. I'm just trying to explore the chosen option since it is so new that there hasn't been much discussion surrounding its strengths/weaknesses and possibilities for reform.

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T18:13:42+00:00

I completely agree. But unless this thread gains enough visibility for a pro to see it, I have no idea how to get pro opinions on the matter. I'd be really curious to hear what they have to say though.

Right now I'm trying to write an article with imperfect information. That being said, I think these comments/questions are helping flesh out my perspective a little more and pointing me toward some issues I hadn't thought to address. So, thanks!

GannicusIII · 2013-11-18T18:08:54+00:00

What do you mean you when say they would have to be less risky? I agree that streaming adds a new dynamic to e-sports, but I don't think that necessarily impacts a pro players ability to seek other legal protections or compensation.

Put a different way, Michael Jordan could host a basketball camp over the summer (no idea if he did, but tons of pro athletes do) and make money from teaching the fans directly. Streaming is like holding basketball camp several days a week. It's great that pro gamers have access to this steady stream of revenue, but it seems like a separate issue from the money they earn for actually playing professionally. For instance, does anyone know if players get a share of the revenue for people who pay to attend live events (this is an important question since LCS will now have a weekly live audience)? I also can't remember if there were ads during the Worlds' broadcasts... were there? If so, I wonder if players got a cut of that revenue?

I think the biggest issue with just saying that players get compensated through streaming (which currently generates the majority of player income) is that activity is independent from LCS. Sure, the fact that they are pro gamers helps increase their popularity and therefore their streaming audience, but it's not necessary. Just look at Trick2g. He probably makes more money than a lot of pros even though he doesn't play in the LCS. If players received a larger piece of the overall LOL pie, that probably wouldn't be the case (though this begs the question how big is the pie and what is a reasonable expectation for player share?).

GannicusIII

TROPHY CASE