Mystery*

It can be a number of things. Amnesia: The Dark Descent was popular to watch for reactions, rather than the game itself or the actual YouTuber's personality. Game Grumps is all about their personalities with the game just being a backdrop to it. Some people do walkthroughs where the important part to the viewer is the game itself and the optimal or unique method to play it.

So it comes down to being any or all of those reasons.

The constant screaming usually drives me nuts. Very few out there with voices that I can relate to to make watching them more enjoyable. It's always the screamers that are the popular ones.

Soy? >:3

I think it's a combination of elements. There are a lot of games you just don't get to play yourself through any number of restrictions. You just don't have the time, it's a multiplayer and you don't have friends to play it with, or time, etc.

There are a lot of different sort of youtubers, and I think it's sort of like the same allure as a podcast. Some people use it to fall to sleep, as background, sort of like there's always a group of friends you're hanging out with.

As far as actually watching it, it's fun to see people you're familiar with go through the game, trying to figure it out and waiting for reactions to various parts.

Some youtubers scream more than others, some sorta make a comedy chill thing, some play it completely straight.

You're talking about Let's Plays? I like them but i'm very picky about the commentary. I only like LPers who don't scream their heads off and act OTT, and who are actually knowledgeable about what they're playing.

Some games i'm bad at but would like to see the story, so i watch an LP of it.
Some games i love to bits and watch LPs to see how other people go about playing the game.
Sometimes LPers break the game over their knee and that's entertaining.
Some games are really bad so it's fun to watch people suffer through them, or riff on them hard.

Plus they're pretty good background noise when i'm doing stuff.

A lot of people, like myself and some friends, actually enjoy watching others play a game. Either it's not a game we like to PLAY but enjoy the happenings of it, or maybe we're not very good at said game, despite liking it, and wanna see others who're better complete it while we watch.

There's also those people who watch for the commentary. Sometimes it's insightful, sometimes it's hilarious.

A similar question you can ask yourself is "Why is watching baseball, or football, or socceer, or any other sports so popular with people?" Why watch those when you can easily play them instead?

It's fun to watch.

In the end, it's all dependent on the individual watcher and what pleases them.

Mm, I enjoy seeing people play games im interested in, and seeing if it's something I'd like.
I also enjoy people who are funny, and make good jokes and laugh and have fun while they play. It adds a little spice to a game I already know.

I think the gameplay tends to serve as subject material for improve comedy. It's more about the performance of the entertainer than the gameplay.

While occasionally watching people having a goofy time playing games is okay from time to time, most of the time I don't find it interesting either.

One youtuber in particular though has done something with his LP that I've found myself liking a lot more than the usual stuff youtubers make, and he doesn't even normally do LP's. I'm not in any way kissing this youtuber's ass; I genuinely think what he's done with this LP is outstanding. If you're still reading this and still interested, here's a link to the first episode: http://youtu.be/31R8lt-njtc

People mostly care for the personalities. They view them as funny or insightful, wanting to see what they think of games and other topics. Some view them as surrogate friends or may think they are sexy/end up falling in love with them, kinda like stalkers for celebrities.

I'm gonna say reaction :3

what baffles me is people watching unboxing videos

2 reasons:

1. I can't afford the game but it's interesting plus a well executed walkthrough (i.e. ChipCheezum) can show little easter eggs and secret collectibles most people ignore.

2. I just want my daily dose of sarcasm (SSOHPKC)

as for everyone else? who can say, it could be a combination of a number of things.