A new movie on Apple TV+ deals with gaming. One of the biggest gaming YouTubers in the world has a role in it: Rachell Valkyrae Hofstetter. Editor-in-chief Leya was able to conduct an interview with Valkyrae on this occasion, discussing the positive effects of gaming and streaming.
A new movie on Apple TV+ focuses on the concept of streaming. Actually, The Family Plan on Apple TV+ is an action-comedy. Mark Wahlberg plays a former hitman who now leads a quiet family life.
Therefore, he is paranoid about social networks and not pleased that his son Valorant streams on Twitch. Because during his time as a hitman, he naturally made many enemies who can more easily track him down over the internet.
One might think that the movie targets evil gaming and evil streaming. But that is not the case. Quite the opposite. The gaming YouTuber Valkyrae has a guest appearance in the film and plays an e-sports athlete.
When I received the offer to interview Valkyrae, I immediately accepted. Because I am always very curious about how gaming influences pop culture. I spoke with the streamer about how she views certain topics regarding gaming in the film and how that aligns with reality.
“Gaming has opened so many doors for me”
MeinMMO: What was your first thought when you received the offer to participate in The Family Plan?
Valkyrae: Every time I get such opportunities, I think: Is this real? How do I get something like this, especially thanks to gaming? I never thought that gaming would open so many doors for me that have nothing to do with gaming. Movies definitely belong to that!
I was just blown away. I was a bit nervous because it was outside of my comfort zone. But I just had to say yes.
MeinMMO: Why is it outside your comfort zone if you are constantly in front of the camera?
Valkyrae: I know! I hear that all the time. When I’m streaming at home, I’m in my room, I can just chat away, I’m talking to screens. But in person, there are so many people watching [during filming], and it’s a lot of pressure to do well.
“I hid that I play”
MeinMMO: That fits so well with what happens in the movie. The son talks about feeling inadequate in his “real life” and feeling the opposite in his stream. That he then feels he is among his people and has found so many friends online. What do you think as a streamer about this statement?
Valkyrae: I can relate to that very well.
That is exactly why I started streaming the games I was playing at the time. I felt very lonely back then and was working at GameStop. We sold trading games that I posted on Instagram, where I first heard about streaming. I started doing it to find friends. And I actually found friends through it, and I met them all online and through gaming.
Thanks to streaming, I found a community that identifies with me. I really love it.
MeinMMO: I thought it was cool that they included that in the movie. I have the impression that gaming is generally shown positively in The Family Plan. This has not been the case in films for a long time. How do you think the portrayal of gaming in media like television has changed compared to ten years ago?
Valkyrae: I am so happy and excited that gaming is becoming more mainstream. I think gaming is very universal. It’s just entertainment. I always compare it to television, only that you can interact more.
In the past, I was bullied for gaming. I always hid that I played and it was so embarrassing for me.
MeinMMO: Could you imagine a career in e-sports like in the movie?
Valkyrae: As a professional player? I have been playing my whole life, and I know that I can’t have just one favorite game or even just one type of favorite game. I love so many genres for different reasons. Whether it’s a story-driven single-player game or a multiplayer like Battle Royale. How can you decide? There are so many good reasons to play the most diverse games. I love looting, I love progression, but I also love playing with friends just as much as I love a good story.
I don’t think I could play professionally, because that would mean I’d have to play a game over and over again, 24 hours a day, every day. I don’t think that would be for me.
Also, I might not have time to do something like participating in a movie like I did, which I enjoyed so much.
MeinMMO: I have noticed that more and more streamers are being approached lately to give them small roles in films. Do you think we will see this trend more often?
Valkyrae: Yes, that is definitely a trend. It makes total sense. It’s good advertising.
I know that I will talk about the movie in my stream, and I will tell all my friends and family about it. I also know that my biggest fans will watch the movie to support me. It’s just a clever move by the film producers.
But it’s also a win-win situation for people like me, who have never done something like this before and might be able to do it more in the future.
“I used to be online so much that I got pain”
MeinMMO: A theme in the movie is technology and the fact that the son is very easy to find because he is always online. I have the impression that there is also a bit of criticism involved. How do you see the topic of being constantly online as a streamer, and maybe even losing touch with reality a bit?
Valkyrae: I believe some people really become addicted to being online all the time. It can be life-changing. I mean, some people have found their soulmate through the internet.
Others get so good at a game that they make it their profession. They might be very young and have parents who would prefer to see their children studying. It can be such a complicated topic because there are so many different situations.
I personally believe I have a good work-life balance. But in the past, I was online so much that I developed physical pain. I had pain in my legs, and a nerve in my back was pinched. Luckily, I quickly realized that I couldn’t continue like that. So I started living healthier and incorporating more movement into my daily life.
I think we all just need to find a good balance for how often we are really online.
MeinMMO: Finally, I have the bearer of a question! My colleague AK (GameStar YouTube) is a big fan of yours, and I’m supposed to ask you from her why your dog is so cute?
Valkyrae: Send her my love! Mika is a Shiba Inu and I didn’t know that his white color is so rare. When I got him, everyone was surprised that there are these dogs in white as well. Of course, he is the cutest dog in the world! He has a few fears, but we are getting better at handling them. For me, he is perfect.
MeinMMO: Thank you very much for answering the questions.
Gaming is becoming better understood
The conversation with Valkyrae confirmed for me what I thought after watching The Family Plan: Overall, gaming is being portrayed more positively and better understood by the creators of such works.
Gaming is not the main theme of the film. But it is nice to see that other media are also engaging seriously with games and the cosmos around them. There are also things in the film that are unrealistic, especially regarding the e-sports tournament. However, the film does not aim to be realistic in every detail.
But what it does well is convey through the son what gaming can mean for someone. Especially when it comes to achievements and friendships.
Otherwise, The Family Plan is a light action-comedy that primarily focuses on how the family grows together through the adventure. A movie that you watch when you want to unwind a bit and smile – and see how gaming is represented in such a family film. However, it is more of a subplot that helps move the story forward.
But you should definitely not expect the next Scott Pilgrim or John Wick. Think more along the lines of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”.
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