We Tried Teaching a Real College Class (ft. Squeex)

OKAY. HELLO.

Hi guys. Oh, you're right. It's not that scary out here. It's not that bad.

>> No, it got really scary actually.

>> This is my friend Squeaks giving a lecture at one of the world's most prestigious universities.

>> Wow.

>> Gulp. Gulp.

>> But how the hell did he get here?

Welcome to Touching Grass.

>> So, you've never been here?

>> No.

>> I literally You were supposed to pick a place you love.

>> I know, but the places I love are like not camera safe.

>> By the way, Speaks is 30 minutes late.

>> How late were you guys?

>> We were on time.

>> Oh, okay then.

>> Okay. So, do you know the plan for today?

>> Not really. The school put out a email for people to sign up for the class and it filled up in 20 minutes. I tried to cap it at 25 because I was nervous, but they asked for 50.

>> What are they expecting?

>> Like a real professional.

>> So they're going to be disappointed. Is

that what you're telling me?

>> No, no, no, no, no. I think it's very squeak coded.

>> Okay. So bad. What?

>> There's also a couple surprises.

>> Oh, really?

>> Yeah. Two.

>> Funny enough, you know, I used to be a teacher.

>> And you also used to do public speaking.

>> Most people know him as the Mario speedrunning guy. My mom wanted to tell

speedrunning guy. My mom wanted to tell you she's free tomorrow night, by the way.

>> But Squeaks actually used to be a teacher. We decided to take him back to

teacher. We decided to take him back to those days and have him teach a class about streaming to NYU's brightest. But

it won't be that simple. We planned a couple big surprises for both Squeaks and the students.

>> When I asked Squeaks what he wanted to film, I was thinking we go ice skating.

>> No. No.

>> What do you used to teach?

>> Speech and debate.

>> He's like prepared for this.

>> No, I'm not. I'm still nerv I still get nervous sometimes. My plan is I'm going

nervous sometimes. My plan is I'm going to introduce you >> and then you're going to do your slideshow.

>> Yeah.

>> And then I'm going to do a pop quiz. Oh

my god. Did we plan the questions?

>> Yeah, we did. We did.

>> Comic turn. Oh my god. Wait. That's my

big fear is like they're just like this [ __ ] sucks.

>> I promise you with the two surprises that we have, it's not going to be boring.

>> Okay. Oh, and feel free to interject by the way at any point. I don't I'm going to come off as a teacher's pet.

>> There is going to be a couple interruptions. Oh, good. Wait, I'm

interruptions. Oh, good. Wait, I'm

scared now.

>> Okay, we're actually running out of time, so I have to go back to my hotel.

Yeah, it seemed bad.

>> My bad.

>> What are you going to wear >> this?

>> Oh, you look nice.

>> Is this not professor? Like,

>> damn. You just caught a stray.

>> You're going to wear that to the class?

>> Yeah. So, what are you changing?

>> You brought your change of clothes, right?

>> Did you go to college? Well, you must have went to college cuz you're a professor.

>> I went to UC Davis. I was a coach. I

didn't get like full professor, doctoral, whatever. And you kind of use

doctoral, whatever. And you kind of use it with streaming.

>> No, I don't.

>> It must have helped you though with speaking on stream at least.

>> Yeah, it added like some stories that I could tell on stream. That's for sure.

That helps. Everything could be a credit here. Yeah. So, our mutual friend uh

here. Yeah. So, our mutual friend uh Foolie went to Irvine. We can share a lot in common because we both didn't get into the two universities we wanted to.

If you know someone who went to Davis, you can guarantee that they didn't get into Berkeley.

>> What do you think about New York University?

>> NYU.

>> Yeah.

>> Didn't get in. But I'm actually harboring a lot of resentment. I plan on releasing it on today. I mean, it's like so prestigious, but I always just saw it as out of reach cuz of it was expensive.

>> It'll be easy, right?

>> It'll be easy.

>> The big surprise for them will be worth it.

>> I can't wait for this big surprise. It's

a big surprise for me.

>> I know.

>> I know. What's the big surprise?

>> I can't tell you. I can't tell you. What

did success look to you when you were 18? Like, did you think you'd be doing

18? Like, did you think you'd be doing this?

>> No, of course not. My parents would kill me. Were your parents approving of you

me. Were your parents approving of you becoming a streamer?

>> They still don't approve.

>> You're joking.

>> They're good parents, I would say, because like it's such a new thing. So,

you know, my mom always says, "It's not too late to change your career. It's not

too late."

>> That's the surprise. Your mom.

>> My mom walks in. She's like,

>> we imagine if we got No. No. It would be nice.

No. No. It would be nice.

Initial reactions. Gulp. Go.

>> We started getting set up but quickly hid Squeaks in the green room. The first

big surprise had just arrived.

>> What are you doing here?

>> All right. I have made it to the NYU book store so I can disguise myself so Squeaks won't recognize me.

>> Well, Ray asked me to surprise Squeaks.

Squeaks has no idea I'm here. Nobody has

any idea I'm here. Like I had to just go completely like have a fake name, secret identity when >> Oh, I should have. I could blend in. I

could do this. Hi, Samson.

>> Literally anything and everything when you're like talking to students.

>> Talk to a student. Okay.

>> You know, you're a student here. What do

you mean? Of course.

>> Oh, the funniest thing is I'm like, I would never talk in class. That's great.

>> We're ready to go.

>> I even asked Squeaks to play Counterstrike today.

>> I'm messaging him right now to play Counterstrike PT. I'm really selling it.

Counterstrike PT. I'm really selling it.

>> I'm blending in as a student, but the funniest thing is that I'm supposed to interrupt him. I don't think I've ever

interrupt him. I don't think I've ever raised my hand in a lecture.

>> You gota You got to be super disruptive.

>> Leslie was pretending to be a student, but we also asked some real NYU students why they're here today.

>> Hi, my name is Shisha Yelamelly. I'm a

game designer at the NYU Game Center.

I'm here to see Squeaks. He's he's

really funny. He's a just a funny guy.

Sometimes I feel bad with how many bald jokes he gets, but he's a very funny guy.

>> Hi, my name is Ella. I'm actually a business major. I'm just here cuz I love

business major. I'm just here cuz I love Valkyrie. I've been a supporter of her

Valkyrie. I've been a supporter of her for so long. like way before she joined 100 Thieves. So like yeah, I'm like

100 Thieves. So like yeah, I'm like really nervous but excited at the same time.

>> I'm Sila Wright. Just here to see what you guys have in store. I'm excited who helped us set this all up. So

>> Oh yeah. Hell yeah.

>> Hello. Test test. Oh my god.

>> Ray.

Oh [ __ ] Hope you didn't hear that. This

is so funny. What are we doing here, bro?

>> We don't belong here. I'm ready. Let's

do it.

>> Hell. Very professorial, Ray. Good job.

>> I look like that crazy art teacher. Look

at those hands. I do. I'm feeling like Miss Frizle right now.

>> I had like three people reach out.

Counter strike today. Counter strike

today. I'm like, "No, I can't do Counterstrike."

Counterstrike." >> I'll just introduce myself and then and then I'll explain. Do I even explain to them like why we're here? What do I say?

>> You're going to be great.

>> As I was stressing in the green room, the students began to fill into the lecture hall.

>> Hi.

>> For so long.

>> Oh, really? I'm Leslie.

Oh, I totally am blending in. Look at

this.

>> Yeah, just to like >> And once everyone had taken their seats, it was time for class to begin.

>> Okay. Hello. Hi.

>> Hello. Hi, guys. Oh, you're right. It's

not that scary out here. Not that bad.

>> No, it got really scary, actually. I am

Rachel Hoffet, aka Valkyrie. Um, I've

been a live streamer for 11 years now.

Five years on Twitch, five years on YouTube, and back to multistreaming on both. He's gonna be doing a presentation

both. He's gonna be doing a presentation for you guys. And, uh, let's get right into it since we're running late. Here

you go, Squeaks.

>> How's it going, by the way, guys? You're

doing good.

>> Great. Well, get ready to freaking learn.

>> Yay.

>> First of all, hello. Hello, I'm Squeaks, also known as Squeaks, and I went to University of California, Davis, graduated in economics. I started

streaming in 2013, and I started with this game, Outlast. With a show of hands, does anyone know Outlast?

Okay, gamers in here, by the way. Good

for you. Well, it's a scary game. And I

remember I went live to stream to my friends. For some reason, in my first

friends. For some reason, in my first stream, I got 20 viewers. And I was so nervous I ended stream. I was like, "Hell no." So, I got a bit of stage

"Hell no." So, I got a bit of stage fright. You know, from 2013, I started

fright. You know, from 2013, I started on and off streaming. Hi.

>> Hi. I I just wanted to I just wanted to say how did you overcome your stage fright?

>> Oh, it's a great question. Thanks so

much for asking. Yeah, it's just that we have a Q&A policy after. So, I'll

address that. I'll address that later.

No, it's a great question. Thank you.

>> So, I'll just hold my question.

>> Just hold your I would just say no heckling allowed.

>> No heckling. Sorry.

>> But yeah, no, I just kept doing it. I

had really a concurrent viewership of three until I started speedrunning Super Mario 64. Now the real gamer test. Super

Mario 64. Now the real gamer test. Super

Mario 64. Any fans? Okay, more. First

and foremost, before I even continue, the number one aspect to be a streamer is luck. I got so extremely fortunate to

is luck. I got so extremely fortunate to be able to pursue streaming. It's like

listening to someone who won the lottery saying, "Buy lotto tickets."

Why the hell did I start with Mario 64?

You know, I love comedy. I love humor. I

love doing stupid jokes. And I didn't see that being represented in the category of Mario 64. The perfect

background game while like I just say random stuff that is interesting to look at while you get to shine your personality or shine something that you have to say. Oh, yeah. Question right

right there. Go ahead.

>> So, you said you had no viewers for 4 years right?

>> Yeah.

>> So, like how did you persevere through that?

>> Well, here's the thing. Like this is going to sound so douchy.

I never really cared about having viewers because I just liked streaming.

I think that came from uh you know just just doing speech and debate was you kind of have to perform to a room full of like three people who hate you in a school. I didn't really care. I mean I

school. I didn't really care. I mean I was just trying to do stuff goofy to make my friends laugh. And I think like that's sort of like the the DNA that you kind of need in anything creative. If

you don't like it doing it to nobody, then why the hell would someone want to watch or experience something that you've created? With a show of hands,

you've created? With a show of hands, how many of you want to become a full-time streamer?

>> Nobody except me. Well, quit.

>> Not one person.

>> Show hands. How many of you guys would like to pursue something creative?

>> Oh, there you go.

>> Okay, good.

That's good. Thank god.

I can a room full of insurance salesman or something. I'm like,

or something. I'm like, >> even with Leslie's surprise entrance, Squeaks fell right back into his old teacher rhythm.

>> These are thumbnails, and let me tell you, there are a lot of people who want to be full-time streamers. Now, I know none of you want to be streamers except for uh

>> Fley Fley. That's me. Yeah.

>> But I would say the same thing with anything. Like a lot of the advice said

anything. Like a lot of the advice said to like set goals, follower goals, sub goals. What if you don't meet that goal?

goals. What if you don't meet that goal?

You're going to quit because you didn't get one number. Why the hell do you even want to make something in the first place? Like what's the real goal? Like

place? Like what's the real goal? Like

what creative itch are you scratching with it? And that should be enough.

with it? And that should be enough.

Things go wrong. You're not going to hit your metrics. And if you give up, that's

your metrics. And if you give up, that's it. Also an important one, make genuine

it. Also an important one, make genuine friends in any any field, especially if you're doing something creative. Like

the term networking is so sociopathic.

It's like a transaction like we're aliens actually like the people that you're interacting with and it's a all tides, you know, raise the ship. Yeah.

>> What happens when you're playing a game with people that you think are going to be your friends, but then you realize that you like actually don't uh that you don't like them midame? Has that ever happened to you? And how do you handle

that?

>> Yeah. Well, it actually has happened to me during Counterstrike recently. No,

I'm just kidding. If you're like, "Oh, I'm getting a viewership boost or whatever, so I'll keep faking it or whatever." It just becomes a drag.

whatever." It just becomes a drag.

That's what I think. Develop a

perspective. You all raise your hand for creative uh field. Like, what kind of stuff do you guys hope to get into?

>> Game design.

>> Game dev.

>> We are the NYU Game Center.

>> Oh my god. And here I'm like, do you know Outlast? And you guys like, yeah.

know Outlast? And you guys like, yeah.

Squeaks wasn't expecting gamedev students, but he was immediately able to pivot his presentation on the spot.

>> Oh, okay. Well, then jeez, of course.

Okay. Well, then this this this can apply as well because if you live in game design, it becomes this cyclical process where you lose your unique

perspective. That's what I think is

perspective. That's what I think is extremely important is really spend time in the real world. Go to things you hate. Go see music concerts because all

hate. Go see music concerts because all of this will coalesce into what you think. You know, the goal isn't to be

think. You know, the goal isn't to be like your favorite streamers, but to be recognizably yourself. Become a

recognizably yourself. Become a storyteller. And this is especially true

storyteller. And this is especially true in game design because without the ability to explain why the hell things are going on, it's hard to have an emotional resonance with a character.

And there's so many trailers where it cuts to a character being like, "Never tell me the odds or anything is possible." I'm like, "What the [ __ ] are

possible." I'm like, "What the [ __ ] are you talking about? What is What's going on? Where's the emotional resonance?" I

on? Where's the emotional resonance?" I

want to see the streamer's thought process and I want to feel the same thing that the streamer is feeling.

Understand your strengths. One of the terms that I hate is you seem like someone who'd be a good streamer cuz it's like anyone can be a good streamer.

Like when you think of a streamer, you probably think of someone super high energy and loud and wacko crazy. But

there's also room for someone quiet, reserved. What is your natural

reserved. What is your natural inclination?

>> How do you figure out what you naturally do well though?

>> That's a great question. That's a really good one. You know, I have a theory that

good one. You know, I have a theory that everyone has something that's worthy of sharing. You know, you might think my

sharing. You know, you might think my life is so boring and like whatever. And

that might be true, but I think there's certain things that are worth sharing.

And it's a great question because it leads perfectly into my last and final lesson. Filtering feedback. Everybody's

lesson. Filtering feedback. Everybody's

got something to say. But what you also have to factor in and is extremely hard for creative people is the silent warrior. You have to factor in 90% of

warrior. You have to factor in 90% of people who consume your content do not want to voice their opinions. Catering

to that small vocal percentage actually is a net negative. Protect your

direction. If you change your content based on every suggestion, your stream will become inconsistent and your identity, your unique perspective becomes weaker. In conclusion, you want

becomes weaker. In conclusion, you want to build something people want to come back to. And in terms of gamedev, there

back to. And in terms of gamedev, there has to be a reason that people don't just play your game and are like, "Yeah, it was fun. I'm going to refund it within 2 hours." No,

>> they've got to come back. And I really strongly believe these four things help people not just follow a story, but follow a journey. Thank you.

>> WOW.

AND as we finished his lecture, I realized how impressed I was.

>> What the hell? You did so good. I was

not expecting that.

>> What the hell?

>> Pop quiz, everyone. Who was paying attention?

What year did Squeak start streaming?

Yes, yellow sweater.

>> 2013.

>> 2012, but I 2013's close. I mean, 2012 outlast. It's good. What niche slash

outlast. It's good. What niche slash game did Squeaks of stream gain a ton of traction from? Yes, with the Mario hat

traction from? Yes, with the Mario hat in the back.

>> Super Mario 64 speedrunning.

>> Which of the following is not a common stream tip? Yes. Stream as much as you

stream tip? Yes. Stream as much as you can.

>> That's correct. Good job,

>> Foolie.

>> Good job.

>> Also, round of applause for Foolsley for showing up today.

>> You messaged me.

>> Why did it take you like like five full seconds to recognize me?

Well, you know, you were in disguise. I

don't want to be like, "Are you fools?"

And you'd be like, "No." What a nightmare.

>> True or false? Squeaks killed it as a professor today.

>> That is it.

>> And with that, it was time for the final big surprise.

>> So, we're here today because we are filming an episode for my Touch and Grass YouTube series where I go out with a friend and do something that makes me severely uncomfortable. But luckily,

severely uncomfortable. But luckily, Squeaks did the really uncomfortable part today, which was give a presentation to a group of students. Um,

and so we usually end the video with a surprise. So, big surprise, we actually

surprise. So, big surprise, we actually have the Squeak scholarship that's going to be available to you guys. Yes,

guys. Yes, >> you're welcome.

>> You're welcome. The Squeeze Scholarship will provide professional development funding to support students at the NYU Game Center in launching their careers as creative professionals in the world

of games. These funds support programs

of games. These funds support programs such as travel stippens.

I've never seen this word before.

>> That's a tricky one.

>> Travel stipens and other funding support for students to attend conferences and festivals for opportunities to show their games. Meet with potential

their games. Meet with potential publishers and do professional networking. funding support for

networking. funding support for internships mentorship opportunities to connect with and get career advice or creative feedback from industry professionals.

>> That's sick.

>> It's kind of funny that it's called the street scholarship.

>> It's like oxymoronic.

>> So, round of applause for Squeaks and FOOLSLEY FOR COMING TODAY.

>> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR SHOWING UP.

HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME.

>> And after our class, we did a meet and greet with the students who attended.

Thank you so much for coming.

>> I got into the >> You're kidding.

>> No way. Oh my god. Chopper. Wait, that's

a good shirt.

>> It is a good shirt. I have it. I

couldn't avoid that buy.

>> Nice to meet you guys. Nice bowl.

>> Come on. Come on.

>> Come on.

>> Does it fit? To finish the day, we got a tour of the NYU game center and saw some of the students the squeak scholarship was going to help out.

>> I mean, it's an equal parts like hangout space, but also a resource.

>> Hey, what are you working on?

>> Gamer Valentine's card.

>> These are so cute. Actually,

>> you can game objectify.

>> Let me touch your private rigid body 2D.

What the >> first question was going to be like, "Are you Squeaks from Esselor?" I I I COULDN'T do it. I was like, "Oh my god."

Like, these are actual like students.

>> Yeah, they're like taking notes.

>> Thank you guys for watching. We'll see

you in the next episode.

>> Bye.

>> Let's catch more of it.

>> This is my hotel view. Look how pretty it is. Oh, let me show you. We all went

it is. Oh, let me show you. We all went to this place called Bon Bun and they have Swedish candy. I don't know if you can see this. Apparently, this was viral on Tik Tok. I'm not really um big on watching Tik Tok right now. Some of them are really cute. I like these little

strawberry ones.

Anyways,