I must confess that I rarely watch LPs or Speed builds, I prefer a good story told in the Machinima format, or at least with walls up and not a lot of UI on screen. Even so, I did enjoy a few vids so I'll try to answer your Qs:
1. Do you prefer speed-builds or "let's build"s, and why?
Basically I can't find enough time to play my own game, so I never really had time to watch other simmers play their games. Still, there might be a few vids with original content, or a very good storyteller, that I might watch. But I'll typically watch only 1 or 2 episodes, not a full series. So guess I prefer speed-builds, but again, it has to be special, I want to learn from watvching them, either getting ideas or learn how others use specific build features. I also like when the builder tells why interior decisions were made, like color matches, stuff from specific eras, new way to use some items, etc. Again, I prefer to learn something, not just to be entertained.
2. What bores you in Let's Play videos?
Long periods when not much is happening. It's basically not fun to watch a sim eating dinner alone or reading a book. But, if the simmer use those seconds to build up by talking, weather there is a story or some plans for the episode, it might still work.
3. What things are most likely to make you stop watching within the first few minutes?
Too much talking, I came to watch the real thing, not how cool studio the simmer has or what s/he looks like today ;)
4. Are you watching more for the game play or more for the personality of the player?
Game play. Personality makes the difference between good and poor, so I guess it counts as well, but I'll gladly watch a "poor personality"'s video if the idea and tech presentation is appealing.
5. Do you prefer to see the player's face or just hear their voice? Or neither?
I prefer no face, at least mostly no face, because I'm not there to watch the person, but their ideas.
Good luck with your channel! :)
