Wild! But anyway... Recently I rediscovered a YouTube video on my homepage that has stayed in my memory. I watched it a second time and somehow I thought a lot about this video afterwards. I was particularly interested in how Germany, with its cultural similarities and differences, has grown together - not least the medieval eras up to the end of the Second World War were already interesting topics for me in history lessons when I was at school. This video has managed to pick me up and engage me on several levels in a very amusing way. Thank you for that!

Even our German language has evolved over the centuries, with "evolved" meaning, to use Jules' playful wit, that we still can't even agree on what to call a damn Berliner. Is it a pancake? A doughnut? A Kreppel? Depending on the region, a harmless bakery order can lead to a diplomatic incident - I experienced this myself when I ordered a pancake from a bakery in Bonn...

But there was one point in particular that triggered me: I thought about what, at least in my environment at the time, was the most important thing for us. Kids was foreign and fascinating: English! Not the language per se, but ultimately the former GDR kids were confronted with quite a few new impressions - especially on TV, radio and magazines.

But the core of my thoughts is development - my personal development... and even if Jules' video doesn't really have anything to do with where I actually want to steer you, his satire hits exactly this core and has opened up many questions in me. Where do I want to develop? Or rather: what do I want to do to develop myself further?

My problem...

English was a necessary evil for me for a long time - I avoided it wherever possible and got by with the bare minimum. Of course, in my job at Marketing English has always played a role, but I had somehow come to terms with it. I understood the written content for the most part, emails could be written with a little effort, and if in doubt, there was always Google Translate or DeepL. However, speaking, understanding and explaining were very problematic. And then came the moment when everything was no longer enough: a job interview, partly in English. I was stammering, desperately searching for words and realized that my lack of language skills was actively slowing me down.

Even outside of work, English has become more important to me than continuing to avoid it. My partner speaks fluent English as well as German and Twi (a Ghanaian language), and switching between the latter languages is the norm in her family. While she converses effortlessly, I could often only follow in fragments. I no longer wanted to just stand by and nod, but to be able to join in the conversation with confidence, even if my level is still low at the moment... It's not the destination, it's the journey.

To the solution with Preply

After researching on the Internet, I not only found what I was looking for with Preply perfect opportunity I found a great teacher who understands me and works with me on my weaknesses. Stefan is originally from Germany, has lived in the USA since his youth and worked as a teacher at a school until a few years ago. I'm also learning a lot of new things about the history of the USA and many things I've never heard before. Especially after my trip to the USA in September 2023, I really enjoy the lessons, as I can link my impressions on site with the topics Stefan suggests to me.

One thing is clear: I'm not going to become a language genius in this life, not least because I've always had my problems with learning languages. But if I stick with my "learning English" project, then I will have taken a big step in my personal development. And when I think about how much further this step can take me, it motivates me all the more to continue on this path.

The post My English gap - An unexpected brainwave brought me to Preply first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.

The idea: a mixture of entertaining game show and educational storytelling. The first episode already shows the versatility of the concept: from a cosplayer to a Venom collector to a movie prop fan - the range of stories is as colorful as the favorite pieces themselves. But there is far more behind the scenes than the casual charm might suggest. A high-quality production, elaborate planning and strategic partnerships make Lieblingsstück a show with potential. What happens next? That depends on the audience. One thing is certain: Anyone who likes pop culture, a passion for collecting and good stories should tune in.

When objects tell stories

To find out more about the new format on SkylineTV I asked Stephan, who is heavily involved in the project, about this. In this interview, he explains what Favorite piece and why the concept is so special. But before we get to the questions about Favorite piece enter: Stephan, please introduce yourself and what role you have in the new format of SkylineTV?

My name is Stephan, and I am the producer and concept developer of the format Favorite piece. I was involved in the creative and strategic development right from the start and also worked as a director on location for the first episode. Together with my agency, I oversee the project in terms of organization and content so that it can develop its maximum impact.

What exactly is Lieblingsstück?

Favorite piece is an innovative Entertainment show, in which people bring along a personal object that has a special story for them. Adam Wolke, the host and presenter, leads in-depth and entertaining conversations that move both the viewers and the participants themselves. The show combines light entertainment with emotional depth - something that is rare to find in today's streaming and TV offerings. I came up with the idea for the show because I'm a big fan of "Bares für Rares" and I was missing the connection to Gen Z & Gen Y here. Of course, they are also interested in pop culture, but also in things like watches, Pokemon, trading cards, sneakers, etc., which are not the focus of "Bares für Rares". In format Favorite piece there are also no dealers, but collectors and enthusiasts with a certain passion for something that we want to show the audience. So it's a mixture of entertainment through the game show element and education, where you can still learn something in the show.

Why is the show running with and on SkylineTV channels? What makes Adam's concept so special?

Adam Wolke has worked with SkylineTV a strong platform that stands for original and authentic content. The target group of SkylineTV fits perfectly with the concept of Favorite piece. Adam brings a mix of charisma, empathy and spontaneity to his role as host, which is crucial to bringing the format to life. His ability to tease stories out of people makes the show special and he consciously takes on the role of only getting to know the owner of the favorite piece in the episode and allowing himself to be surprised by what is in store for him. He then naturally conveys this feeling to his viewers, which makes even planned formats seem less linear and more spontaneous.

Who are the people Adam talks to? Who can viewers look forward to seeing in the future?

The guests are a colorful mix of exciting personalities - from creative minds to celebrities to everyday heroes. In the 1st episode we had the lovely Lvcia (Lucy), a very likeable cosplayer and gamer, then Venom collector Christian and Paul from the Froids who collects movie props. In future episodes, viewers can look forward to familiar faces and extraordinary stories, as well as surprises. We attach great importance to ensuring that the guests' objects and stories cover an emotional variety.

A look behind the scenes... from the outside, the format looks "simply" implemented, but there is certainly more to it than that!

Definitely! Every detail, from the selection of guests and their stories to the studio equipment and post-production, requires intensive planning and coordination. Our aim is to create a high-quality yet personal format that is technically on a high level without losing its down-to-earth nature. However, there are still adjustments that need to be made in order to deliver a better result and we are very self-critical in this respect.

You have your own agency that you represent and that sets up the format. Please introduce your work.

My agency myshowmaster takes care of everything, from creative conception and production to brand integration by sponsors. We develop the editorial content for social media and set up other channels. During filming, I sometimes step in as director myself if it fits and is necessary. Behind the scenes, we work to ensure that the format is convincing in terms of content and technology. To market the show, we are helped by the company LIVELINK GmbH, where I am very grateful that this team works with big brands like Sony Pictures, Amazon and others, supported us in marketing. One of the founders of LIVELINK, Sebastian Schotten, has also been involved in the project from the very beginning. Favorite piece and together we try to realize the wishes and goals of our customers. Technically, we work with various service providers such as GentleNerds, where we were able to produce the first episode. They also provided us with the studio set, which created a nice and cozy "living room environment".

How long does the planning take? How many people are involved?

Planning an episode takes several weeks, as many aspects are intertwined. In total, around 10-15 people are directly or indirectly involved in the implementation - including editors, technicians, designers, project managers who communicate with the influencer management and, of course, the core team.

What does it cost to put on a show like this, also with regard to the fact that the participants can also win money? What's it all about?

The production naturally involves costs, especially for studio rental, protagonists' fees, technology and post-production. The prize for the participants is an incentive to open up and share their stories. We want to use the prize money to help participants continue to pursue their passion and support them in doing so. The costs are always a balancing act, as on the one hand we want to produce high-quality work, but on the other hand we also want to remain economical. In such a production effort, the production costs per episode are around 35,000 - 50,000 euros, depending on the circumstances.

You've already revealed that several people are working on the project. But how much of the work behind it is heart and soul?

A lot! Favorite piece is a project close to my heart for me and also for my colleague Sebastian from LIVELINK. Everyone contributes their passion and ideas to make the show special. We are driven by our enthusiasm for good stories and authentic entertainment. Adam has now also gotten an impression after the first episode and together we will continue to develop and improve the show.

Which sponsors can Lieblingsstück look forward to?

We are grateful that we have been able to attract partners who share our vision. We will communicate details of the sponsors soon, but they are companies that belong to both the target group of Favorite piece and correspond to the values of the format.
In the 1st episode it was Sony Pictures, where we have what I consider to be a very authentic and organic integration into Favorite piece have created. There were quests, estimation questions, a collector from the Venom cosmos and we could the trailer for the movie in a playful way. I was particularly pleased with the reactions to the format from creators such as Shlorox, Amar, Lvcia, Ediz, KIESKAUER and the Froids, who conveyed real emotions and played along with their community in the participants' challenges. 

What special tasks had to be mastered?

The biggest challenge was to find a studio that met all the technical requirements and at the same time offered an intimate atmosphere. In addition, there was the development of a format that is emotionally profound due to the favorite pieces without being heavy. Our approach is to combine entertainment with something that also gives the viewer an approach where they can learn something and gain more background knowledge about certain areas. Some people might have a treasure in their cupboard and not even know it. I had this "aha moment" when I bought a limited edition plate, which was limited to 300 pieces worldwide and cost less than 200 euros at the time, which I later found on ebay and which was never traded there for less than 2000 euros over several auctions. So I had a treasure on my wall and didn't know it until then. That's storytelling and what makes this format so special. 

In which studio is Lieblingsstück filmed?

We shot the first episode in the Froids studio in Berlin Adlershof and are considering working with different studios throughout Germany, as the participants in the favorite pieces come from all over Germany and some favorite pieces are so big that it's not easy to get them into the studio.

How many episodes are planned?

I can't say for sure at the moment, as it depends on the success of the format. The interest of potential participants, the number of clicks and impressions, the funding from partners and sponsors and, of course, Adam's interest play a major role here, as the episodes are broadcast on his YouTube channel in addition to the live phase on Twitch.

Many have criticized the length of the first episode... What do you want to improve about the format and is the length of the show an issue?

The first episode was deliberately a little longer to immerse viewers in the world of Favorite piece to introduce. However, we have taken the feedback seriously and are working on a more dynamic length that maintains the excitement and entertainment value. We are currently talking about keeping an episode at 30-40 minutes, as we don't want to shorten the character of the stories behind the favorite pieces too much. However, we can definitely save time on the game show part and balance the games a little better. In the first episode, for example, there were too many "sticking situations", which made the video very long.

What is planned for the future of Lieblingsstück?

In addition to adapting the format to viewer feedback, we are also thinking about special episodes, collaborations and perhaps even live events. Favorite piece should remain a platform for stories that touch people. But we are taking one step at a time, even if it is exciting to talk about visions and further develop formats.

And to conclude our interview: What was your favorite piece from the first episode?

The Favorite piece of Venom collector Christian was particularly fascinating for me, because I'm really into collectible figures and you could just tell that this was a collector who loves this pop culture topic of comics, films, collectible figures etc.. Something like that is authentic for me and picks me up.

Emotion meets entertainment - the future of Lieblingsstück is promising

After the first episode you can already tell: Favorite piece has what it takes to become a permanent fixture. The concept works because it combines nostalgia, passion and entertainment. Viewers not only get to see fascinating objects, but also the personal stories behind them. This emotional aspect sets the format apart from other shows.

Of course, there are still some adjustments to be made. The length of the first episode was too long for some - a tighter narrative is being planned. The game mechanics will also be further optimized to make the duel for the best favourite piece even more exciting. But the basis is right: Adam Wolke with his charming and spontaneous manner, brings just the right mix of curiosity and humor to put the guests in the spotlight.

Financially, the project is ambitious: With production costs between 35,000 and 50,000 euros per episode each episode is a balancing act between quality and profitability. Sponsors like Sony Pictures help to keep the show at a professional level without losing its authenticity. At the same time, this type of support opens up new possibilities - such as creative product placements that are organically integrated into the format.

The path to the future is not yet set in stone, but the direction is clear: Favorite piece is set to grow. Shorter episodes, possibly changing studio locations and exciting guests - all this is in the pipeline. Perhaps there will even be live events in which the audience can participate directly.

Ultimately, the format thrives on the enthusiasm of everyone involved - both in front of and behind the camera. Whether big names or unknown collectors, every favorite piece tells a story that is worth hearing. So if you think your attic find or sneaker collection is gathering more than just dust, you should consider becoming part of the show. Because one thing is certain: sometimes the greatest value is not in the object itself, but in the memory it carries with it.

–

Update from 15.06.2025: Unfortunately, the format did not make it past the pilot episode and has been discontinued.

The post Favorite piece - New game show format with SkylineTV meets collectibles and the stories behind them first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.

Rules for your Discord server

Basically, if you only have a server with a few members and don't want to expand it, the unwritten rules and corresponding netiquette usually apply. If you want more, they are often important to ensure a structured, respectful and pleasant atmosphere within the community. They have several advantages:

Clear expectations: Rules help to make it clear to the members of the server what is allowed and what is not. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures a common understanding of how to behave on the server.

Protection of the community: Rules serve to Community from inappropriate behavior, harassment, spam and other disruptive activities. This promotes a safe and inclusive environment in which all members can feel comfortable.

Conflict resolution: The rules form the basis for moderating the server and resolving conflicts. If members violate the rules, the moderators can refer to the rules and take appropriate measures to clarify the situation.

Structure and organization: Rules can help to keep the server structured and organized, e.g. by specifying in which channels which type of content should be published.

Promote respectful behavior: Rules help to promote respectful interaction between members and ensure that everyone is treated fairly and politely.

Legal protection: Certain rules can also serve to protect the server operator from legal problems, e.g. by prohibiting the sharing of copyrighted material or other illegal content.

You can create your Discord rules with these templates

You are welcome to use, convert and adapt the following templates if you want to create your own Discord rules.

General clauses:
Treat everyone with respect. Harassment, witch hunts, sexism, racism or hate speech will not be tolerated. The instructions of the admins and mods must be followed.

Further prohibitions:
Spamming, trolling, CAPS LOCK, self-promotion, affiliate or partner links, including direct messages to other members. The disclosure of personal data is prohibited. No adult or obscene content, e.g. texts, images or links containing nudity, sex, serious violence or other graphically offensive content.

Behavior on the server:
Unreasonable tagging / pinging / marking of users & user ranks is prohibited. No inappropriate profiles (usernames, avatars, accounts and statuses). This includes, but is not limited to, empty usernames, unusual Unicode characters or excessively long usernames.

Final clauses e.g: If you observe something or someone breaking the rules, or if you feel unsafe, please inform the mods or an administrator. We want this server to be a place where everyone feels welcome.

An example of how to write the rules

"There are a few rules to ensure that everyone stays fruitful and that we have a good time here.

• Respect the admins, mods and yourself
• Please no spam or permanent CAPS LOCK
• Please no (serious) insults
• Private information remains private. Sharing private data is strictly prohibited. Private disputes also remain private!
• Please no (serious) offensive comments, no racism, sexism, incitement to hatred or similar (including nicknames)
• Please no extensive political and religious topics - And if: Gladly in a separate Coop channel or via private message.
• Please advertise in the "promote-you" channel (invitation links from other Discords are not allowed)
• Voice channels are intended for speaking and mutual exchange. Permanently muted users will be expelled from the voice channel or should be reported directly. Users who want to eat while in the voice (including chips and other bricks) are asked to use push-to-talk or mute themselves.

Important note: Discord is allowed from the age of 13 (according to Discord's terms of use), so of course we also have underage users on the server. Please be considerate.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: DON'T BE AN ASS!!!"

By the way, that's how I have the rules for my Discord created.

Create Discord rules - Conclusion

A well-thought-out set of rules for Discord servers is crucial to the well-being and potential success of a community. Clear rules and guidelines ensure that members know what is expected of them while providing a framework in which they can express themselves freely and creatively. By creating a respectful and positive atmosphere, these rules encourage constructive discussion and strengthen the sense of belonging within the group.

In addition, clear rules contribute to effective conflict resolution and enable the moderators to deal with difficult situations fairly and transparently. This creates trust and security among members and increases overall satisfaction. A structured organization and the separation of channels by topic facilitate navigation and promote the efficiency of server administration.

Rules are also an important protection mechanism for the server operator to avoid legal problems and inappropriate behavior. Clear rules regarding illegal content, harassment or discrimination ensure compliance with legal regulations and protect the reputation of the community.

In short, creating Discord rules to build and maintain a harmonious and engaged community is essential. They create an environment where members can feel comfortable, learn, share and grow. By promoting respect, understanding and cooperation, they help the community thrive and enable sustainable and successful development.

The post Create Discord rules - templates for your server first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.

Autumn baking and cooking

Baking and cooking are all-time hits! Especially in the fall, it's a good time to make one or two Baking or cooking stream into his livestreams. If you're not constantly involved in the scene, these types of streams are a great way to relax and offer a change of pace.

There are great recipes to look forward to, especially in the fall. These include the classic pumpkin soup, or if you fancy something baked, pumpkin pie, muffins or cookies. But there are also tarte flambée, kale dishes and delicious autumn desserts.

If you want to bake something unusual for Halloween, for example, you can try your hand at fun Kacki cookies or creepy Skull cookies try.

Halloween

People always like to get spooky at the end of October. When it's Halloween, of course. The Irish tradition has not only been cultivated in America or the United Kingdom for a long time, but has also been making its way into livestreams for years. But if you think I'm just suggesting you "play horror games", you're wrong. Of course, you can stream horror games, especially on the night of October 31st to November 1st, but you can also organize your streams differently before the event. I would also like to put forward the theory that readings of psychological thrillers and other horror stories can be a welcome change from classic gameplay. But beware: written works are protected and reading them aloud in a stream could be problematic. So the motto is: ask the author first.

Classic just-chatting streams are ideal for preparing, for example, pumpkin carving or making fall and Helloween decorations. If you make decorations from natural materials, a walk and gathering in the forest is an ideal basis for a spontaneous outdoor stream.

Christmas in a shoebox

I know, it's only fall. Christmas is still a long way off, but the Samaritans start preparing for this event a little earlier, as there are a lot of logistics to deal with. In addition, donors must have the necessary time to get involved. You can find a countdown to the donation here.

As Event idea for you there is the Packing party. "Together with family, friends, colleagues or church congregations, shoeboxes are packed for girls and boys in need around the world..." says the Samaritans website. A joint livestream with friends could create a very good livestreaming experience for streamers and viewers. You can find instructions and further information on the Samaritans website.

Of course, you can also get involved as an individual and show appreciation and joy to a child in need. One nice instructions to follow invites you to stream live. For example, parcels could be packed in the livestream. The content can be determined by the community and / or sent to the streamer for packing.

Another little hint: Please be sure to follow the instructions and shopping lists, as there are important things to consider. For example, fragile objects, fear-inducing items (such as war toys) or used items of any kind (especially clothing) are not permitted.

Animal welfare as a niche topic

Animal welfare and species conservation are important topics that have become increasingly popular in recent years. Not least thanks to the many years of work by Vier Pfoten, PETA and the YouTube streams by Robert Marc Lehmann, an increase in these topics can be felt online.

Animal welfare and species conservation starts on a small scale and right on our doorstep. If you are involved in the scene or are very interested in the topic, then combine your livestream with great just-chatting and outdoor streams this fall. Educate people about insects, birds or smaller mammals. Hedgehogs, for example, need a place to sleep in winter. The outdoor stream "We're building a hedgehog roost" is just right for this.

By the way: Hedgehogs must not be fed with cow's milk and every spiny ball under 200 grams (end of Sept. / beginning of October) should be taken to the hedgehog station - not to the vet. However, it is very helpful to call the hedgehog station beforehand so that it can be determined what definitely needs to be done.

Do you have any other ideas?

You can never have enough ideas. And sometimes wonderful connections are created from several great suggestions. Do you have any inspiration on what you can implement in a livestream? Feel free to write me an e-mail at look@spielecheck.gg or become a member of the lvlup! Discord and write to me directly.

The post Ideas for your livestream - Autumn brings lots of colorful things first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.

There are now quite a few pieces on the free music market that are worth processing. That's why I went on a search and picked out music providers and music platforms that I think can really do something and have a few good ones. Tracks up your sleeve have.

Free music for YouTube or Twitch

Hooksounds
Hooksounds may not contain too many pieces of music, but the tracks stand out many times over from other free music.
https://www.hooksounds.com/

NoCopyRightSounds
This music channel offers electronic, dubstep and drum'n bass in a very high quality.
https://ncs.io/music

Streambeats
The music of Harris Heller is in a large Library with over 1000 high-quality tracks freely available. This is characterized by different genres.
https://www.streambeats.com/

OC Remix
Musicians from all over the world gather on this music platform and upload their own creative pieces of music as well as remixes of well-known video game soundtracks.
https://ocremix.org/

incompetech
This site is run by just one person. The selection is amazingly large!
https://incompetech.com/

freeSFX
The free alternative to get real old school sound in your videos.
http://www.freesfx.co.uk/

Bass Rebels
A high-quality pool of tracks - the name says it all! This music is also ideal for YouTube and Twitch.
https://www.bassrebels.co.uk/

Sometimes many newcomers try to conquer the music market and offer their music for free. In my opinion, there are some real gems among the masses of music that are worth using for your next video project. In this way, you provide variety and also push one or two smaller musicians. And don't forget: Support the Musician with the help of attribution and a link. Incidentally, this is often a condition for using the music. Stay fair and transparent.

Which music providers do you use? Do you have an ultimate tip? Let me know in the comments.

The post Free music for YouTube first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.

An interesting topic that comes up from time to time. There are many points that speak for and against it. In a total of 60 minutes, this question is taken apart and examined from many angles. Right at the beginning, the percentage of Gaming videos. Almost 35 % of the videos on YouTube are gaming videos. These are reviews, gameplays, LPTs and much more that are shown on screens every day. In addition to the main question, many other issues are clarified and discussed at length, including marketing-specific questions, for example. Furthermore, the last decade and the history of "Let's Plays" will be examined in more detail.

Guests on the show were: Andre Bürger (VIS Games), Michael Cherdchupan (Insert Moin), Sgt. Rumpel (Ex-LPT / Looterkings)

Format with story for Lets Play

For my part, I have drawn a positive conclusion from it and find it admirable how much the gaming scene has established itself. On my Twitch channel For example, we play various games and discuss all kinds of topics in the chat that we are currently encountering and that are on my mind. YouTube channel you can find some great Lets Plays in which I calmly pursue my conviction that the Lets Play is a wonderful format. In short: my hype is far from over, and the internet proves that there is still a lot of room for improvement. Nevertheless, everyone should and can form their own opinion and simply watch the 60 minutes of entertaining talk. It's worth it... and perhaps it's also a topic that could be well covered in a Just Chatting stream can be targeted.

Part 1 you will find here and part 2 here.

The post Is the Lets Play HYPE over? first appeared on SPIELECHECK | English.