I was more comparing Visual Novels to movies in the sense you use to describe Novels; Non interactive, linear, and (typically) story based. My argument is that no one is going to go "Wow, I really like this movie. It seems like fun. Let me go watch someone talk over it for 2 hours instead of actually experiencing it myself."

Let's Players tend to bring in audiences for themselves, not necessarily for the games they play. When it's a Let's Player that does specifically certain kinds of games, such as the person this is article is addressing, it can also be a way of being introduced to games you might not otherwise hear about. In the case of youtubers such as Markiplier or the Yogscast (Not my cup of tea, but there you go), The viewers tend to both be younger and watch irrespective of the game being played. That, in and off itself, makes me feel there is a good case for fair use in those cases.

And again, for the youtuber mentioned in the article, of whom I am also not really knowledgeable about, it reads more like a critique of these games in addition to a playthrough. If the viewers weren't interested in the player, but rather then a game, I'm not sure why they'd also sit around for a critique when they want the story.

Of course, I'm personally invested in defending Let's Plays and their players. Let's Plays helped introduce me to so many new people and games, including many visual novels I might not have otherwise gotten. And they helped through a huge part of my own personal struggle with depression, and even shaped a lot of my political beliefs.

I hate when people belittle them, or point out more toxic elements as indicative of the subculture. They work hard, and, at least in my experience, the viewers come for them first, and then the game.