Tradition

Tradition is instrumental in the process by which folklore is created and reinforced for and by a group. Tradition is not only a part of the folklore but a driver of it and maintenance mechanism. In these ways participating in the Let’s Play videos can act as a tradition for viewers and creators as creators share their knowledge and direct experience with the group while the group is given a chance to engage with the folklore and with each other.

Tradition as both lore and process as described by Sims and Stephens (2011) encompasses something that provides a sense of identity for the a group and which they identify as a tradition. A quick look at a few of the 265,000 comments on prominent gamer Markiplier’s first FNAF Let’s Play video (2014) show us that the group certainly considers this specific piece of media traditional.

“It’s a ritual to return to this every once in a while” -@dtendy4153, 2022
“This is where it all started. Markiplier is the man who made this game become so popular. Its a sacred ritual to come back here once in a blue moon to be honest” -@edwardpotter4784, 2023
“At this point it should be an offical [sic] FNAF tradition to rewatch these vids at least every other month.” -@frostbyte2384, 2023

One thing to keep in mind with traditions in folklore is continuity. “Traditions may be repeated through time, but as Toelken points out (1996), time may be a matter of “years” or of “moments.” Repetition is important in establishing continuity, since a group repeats something because it matters to the group; if it isn’t meaningful, it won’t be repeated, and if it isn’t repeated, it won’t become a tradition “ (Sims and Stephens 2011, 70). Because the videos exist online, free from the confines of time on a single performance each play of the video allows knowledge to be passed from content creator to viewer. With each video view group members create a record of the media the find meaningful which later members can then identify as valuable. This is especially useful for continuous induction of new group members. Because the video can be repeated it allows new members to get a glimpse at the past as it happened which allows them to integrate that experience into their understanding of the folklore. Another of Markiplier’s comments highlights the ability of tradition to stretch across time. “This is my first time watching these videos. I’m almost 9 years late, but I’m excited to experience the childhoods of many. Thank you, Mark” -@forg1212, 2023.

Repetition also allows established members to revisit the same media over and over, giving rise to traditional status, as seen in the previous comments highlighted.

Dezuanni suggests that at least for Minecraft (a popular sandbox video game), the Let’s Play video format offers multiple learning opportunities for viewers. The are “learning about the game and gameplay itself; learninghow to act and socially interact in and around the game; learning how to make connections across various types of information about Minecraft and about Let’s Players; and learning how to participate in popular culture” (9). Especially for FNAF fans the Let’s Play videos and their comment sections offer a place for group members discuss and learn gameplay while making connections across the games as we will explore more throughly in the group identity section.