Gaming Channel Review - Thinking too Big? Format Change?

[Bob Plays]

I was getting ready to sit down and do the editing for my fourth video of my Witcher 3 playthrough when I began thinking to myself. This will be the fourth Witcher video and my channel's seventh video in less than two weeks and I still haven't garnered a single subscriber and less than 35 overall views for my channel. My most watched video is Part 1 of my Witcher playthrough with only a measly 15 views and so far none of my work as netted a single like, dislike or comment, save for my Bioshock Infinite #2 video which got a shameless channel plug despite only having 2 views.

It's pretty discouraging, but it got me thinking. What if I'm approaching my channel all wrong? I recently got a nice webcam so I can add facecam to my videos but the thing about my Witcher videos is that it's mostly just me playing the single player campaign while making occasional comments or wisecracks. Also, some of these videos are long. Witcher 3 is a long and dense game. My first video tops over 25 minutes and my second 20. I was able to get part 3 down to less than 10 but by then I lost any potential for netting an audience. I'm thinking viewers are looking at part 1 first, thinking it's long and dull and then leaving without continuing with the next one.

Perhaps instead I should be working on making smaller videos of smaller games where the draw isn't so much what I'm playing and what my thoughts are on it but rather capturing live authentic reactions to what I'm playing. Witcher 3 is a long game and it's likely going to take dozens of videos before I get to the end of it even if I stick to only the single player campaign. It would be a waste of energy if I kept making videos that people usually start at watching with #1 and then leave shortly after. Instead I can play something rage-inducing (Give Up, Impossible Game) or scary (Five Nights at Freddy's) and use my raw reactions as the draw instead. These videos would most definitely be easier to edit down to a ten minute limit and it would bring more variety to my channel rather than focusing my attention on one game.

I'll probably still make that one last Witcher video since I went through the trouble to record it, but I'm thinking after I'm done with that I'm going to try doing The Impossible Game instead. If anyone could check my latest Witcher video (posted below) and tell me what they think about the direction I'm going with those videos I would appreciate the feedback. I think I have a few techniques down such and thumbnails and tagging, but I think it's the actual content I need feedback on the most. Is it too dull? Am I unfunny? Should I branch out instead of focusing on one thing exclusively? Let me know what you think. I appreciate it.

And yes, I know my avatar and non-existent banner is poop. I'll address that later. Until then I'm trying to see if I can at least get one sub from my videos.

 

[Keshipel]

I am in the EXACT same postition atm, as you are, lol. I think you should stick with what you like to do, but branch out into other games to spice it up. I wanna make content that I enjoy making, and I think that's the easiest way to keep motivated.
Tossed a like over onto your vid btw! Noticed you're genre is "people and blogs" on your witcher vid, might wanna change that and spice up the adds. If you have the money, you could always just google adword the s**t out of your channel and vids, but It'll tank your creditcard pretty fast unless you're hella rich :>
Also, you sound a bit like Ryan from RoosterTeeth, so I don't think you're dull in any way. Just keep it at it man, and don't give up!

 

[Riddikore]

Hey @Bob Plays !! Welcome to the wonderful world of having a gaming channel. Sounds like you're learning how hard it is to get an audience. AND sounds like you know exactly why

some of these videos are long. Witcher 3 is a long and dense game. My first video tops over 25 minutes and my second 20.

viewers are looking at part 1 first, thinking it's long and dull and then leaving without continuing with the next one

Play what you want and what you enjoy. If the channel is for you, you can do what you want. But yeah for new channels where no one knows who you are and have other subscribers to tend to, asking them to take long chunks out of their time to watch you is asking a lot. I'm seeing a lot of Witcher 3 videos lately so I wouldn't be surprised if everyone is just being playing it themselves! So then who is your audience? People who are playing the Witcher and want to watch someone else play it? People who are looking for secrets in the game? It's that age old question of why someone should watch you over the thousands of other Witcher stuff. And I know the answer to that question is not easy. The whole "promote yourself" thing. Hopefully you've gotten a chance to look over the various sections of this forum related to channel branding, promotion. Here's just one of MANY that has some cool tips: http://yttalk.com/threads/starting-and-growing-a-gaming-channel.126815/

Perhaps instead I should be working on making smaller videos of smaller games where the draw isn't so much what I'm playing and what my thoughts are on it but rather capturing live authentic reactions to what I'm playing.

Instead I can play something rage-inducing (Give Up, Impossible Game) or scary (Five Nights at Freddy's) and use my raw reactions as the draw instead.

These types of videos do bring in the views, particularly when the game first comes out. If you're gaming personality/persona is to play up the reactions crowd, then do it. As long as it's believable and natural. However you'll still have the same issue of needing to promote yourself. Note: Lots of people have done FNAF videos but have only a few views...

As for the video you posted above, I thought it was nicely done! Commentary was solid, quality was high, and video length on point! Continuing forward, I hope you choose a path best for you!

 

[KWKBOX]

Being a fellow small game channel I recommend subbing to other small channels and being active in their community. Most will appreciate it and check out your channel/sub and be active back. Never get discouraged or do things you do not enjoy on the channel because it will only hurt you in the long run. I do my channel no matter what the audience is because I enjoy doing it. Good luck.

 

[Bob Plays]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I recorded my Impossible Game footage the other night and I'm working to get it edited together so I can have it up later this evening. It will be my first video using facecam so it may be a little rough, but you have to start somewhere. I think once I get the hang of using facecam in my videos I'll enjoy doing it this way much better. The Witcher is the kind of game where it feels awkward to have to start and stop every 30-45 minutes to make a video out of, especially since editing can take up to two hours, and doing smaller games seems to fit better in to that format. I'll probably continue making Witcher videos in the future, but not at a frequent pace unless I start getting enough people asking me to do them.

 

[ProjectXerxes]

I subbed and liked. I think it has potential. So things you may want to add in are aN outro to your other videos to direct traffic there. Also I personally enjoy listening to the game and cinematic as well. Seems that the only famous people who do let's plays are over the top and crazy. If you don't want to go with that approach then just keep doing what you love. Its about releasing what you like. If you enjoy what you're doing it shows

 

[Faytez]

Being a smaller channel and playing a AAA game will more than likely not get any of your videos watched. You know why? Syndicate, Pewdiepie, Markiplier, Achievement Hunters etc. are already playing these. People will only go to their favorite youtubers for these big games. I'm not saying quit playing, and recording these videos. But maybe do a little less of them. Look for underrated games, indie games, or games the big dogs aren't playing and recording.

If their favorite YouTubers aren't recording them, they will search through multiple channels and videos, until they find one channel that sticks. This is where you come into play. It's your job to make them stay, and click that sub button. I personally do this all the time when looking for gameplay of a game difficult to find. I know for a fact I'm not the only one.

 

[Bob Plays]

Being a smaller channel and playing a AAA game will more than likely not get any of your videos watched. You know why? Syndicate, Pewdiepie, Markiplier, Achievement Hunters etc. are already playing these. People will only go to their favorite youtubers for these big games. I'm not saying quit playing, and recording these videos. But maybe do a little less of them. Look for underrated games, indie games, or games the big dogs aren't playing and recording.

If their favorite YouTubers aren't recording them, they will search through multiple channels and videos, until they find one channel that sticks. This is where you come into play. It's your job to make them stay, and click that sub button. I personally do this all the time when looking for gameplay of a game difficult to find. I know for a fact I'm not the only one.

I was thinking the same thing the other day. It does make more sense to try and do new, smaller titles rather than popular games everyone else is playing. It's better to play a trending game while it's still under the radar so you can beat the bigger YouTubers to the punch when they finally get around to playing it. I went ahead an bought a new release that was on sale over Steam to try out. Part of the reason I made this channel was to get me to try and play different games than the ones I had been playing anyway so it would make more sense to do that.

 

[Faytez]

I was thinking the same thing the other day. It does make more sense to try and do new, smaller titles rather than popular games everyone else is playing. It's better to play a trending game while it's still under the radar so you can beat the bigger YouTubers to the punch when they finally get around to playing it. I went ahead an bought a new release that was on sale over Steam to try out. Part of the reason I made this channel was to get me to try and play different games than the ones I had been playing anyway so it would make more sense to do that.

I've also noticed Early Access games on Steam do pretty good as long as you're one of the first people to put up a video for it. People would search all over for Early Access games. Even if it's their favorite Youtubers or not. They may hear a rumor about "lots of bugs" or whatever, and would search through multiple videos, analyzing the gameplay from lots of people to see if it's worth the early access buy, or to wait for the full release.