Why do people watch Reaction videos?

[Transistor]

If I'm ever feeling down, I watch the Game Trailers E3 2015 reaction video. Perks me right up

 

[shockdude]

I don't fault people who don't like reaction videos. There are tons of recorded reactions, and most of which aren't enjoyable to watch for various reasons.
Every once in a while you get an awesome reaction experience like BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle's reveal this past EVO. Note the guy in the lower-right corner lol.

 

[Skitspel]

I like watching Tyrone Magnus and Hodgetwins.
Hmm.. does H3H3 count?

 

[lunarworks]

Probably for th same reason why my favorite "Let's Play" videos are blind playthroughs. It's more fun to see somebody's first reaction to something instead of seeing gem play something they already know about. It's why I never watch any of Michael Damiani's playthroughs because he's usually playing something he already knows inside and out.

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I'd put Let's Plays somewhere above reaction videos. In a Let's Play the subject is working with an active medium and their personal performance has an effect, whereas a reaction video it's just a passive medium being reacted to.

 

[Skux]

The same reason we post on Era. To get other people's opinions and enjoy the hype and excitement with them.

 

[PassiveObserver]

Reactions are part of the whole experience of consuming a new hip hop release. Listen to the record, check out the lyrics interpretations on Genius, read the discussion threads on r/hiphopheads, then catch the reactions/review vids from the the likes of ShawnCee and Dead End Hip Hop.

 

[NineConsonants]

I'd put Let's Plays somewhere above reaction videos. In a Let's Play the subject is working with an active medium and their personal performance has an effect, whereas a reaction video it's just a passive medium being reacted to.

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But many times, I am watching a Let's Play to see how they react to the story within the game.

 

[Z-Beat]

I like seeing other people get hype for things that I was hype for, and also seeing crazy reactions. If you need an example, pop into the Haunted House Reactions thread.

 

[Nightbird]

I like seeing people getting excited about something I also got excited for.

Its not rocket science.