Gaming Channel Update!
I posted this to my gaming channel for members only, and wanted to make sure to share it here too 😊
--TL;DR: down the bottom as it's LOOOOOONG!--
Hello 💜 I hope you are all doing well! I have some things on my mind regarding the channel and don't know if I should make a video talking about them, or write them out here... I don't want it to to be too long, so I will try and keep it brief (difficult for me!)
✨ I really enjoyed having Crash Bandicoot in the one video. I'm very surprised to see it do well. It's got 7.5k views, the watch time is good, and at the time of writing this, 74 people subscribed when watching the video (this is HUGE for me!).
✨ I'd like to keep experimenting with this format. I'm guessing only mainstream/known games will give similar results and hey, it could have been a one off. But I'm going to try this with a second game which I have now fully recorded and edited: Spyro 2 Ripto's Rage. It will be out some time next week. I was going back and forth between doing a full game or not, but I really wanted to experiment so I'm going to suck it up and see how it goes.
The benefits of a full game video are: all in the one video, easier to access, viewers can watch as much as they want and continue on whenever - no waiting for more parts, one thumbnail, one group of comments for me to manage, it seems to be something that "interests" the algorithm, easier for me. The negatives of a full game video are: too long that some people might be put off, maybe 6 videos of the game would have more exposure than just 1, it takes me a while to play AND edit the game, less videos on my channel in total (but it equals the same amount of hours).
✨ I've also just yesterday finished recording another game that I will put in a full game video and it is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019. Now, I put off playing this as I loved the original so much AND I also didn't want the channel to become a CoD channel. I just like the characters, to be honest. I'm interested in mostly that, though I will say the combat is cool too. I just want to see my boy Captain Price! BUT I'm a bit hesitant as I feel I'm just doing too many genres. I don't have a clear niche/genre/pattern. I don't have any other video to release though, so maybe it will just have to be the one that goes out.
✨ HOWEVER... For a few weeks now, I have been trying to work on a new channel. I just haven't had the time as I've been so busy recording Spyro and CoD. This channel is known to no one - it will be a video essay channel where I can talk about characters/stories etc in games. It's what I've wanted to do for a long time but the problem is I just don't have time. My reaction channel (I reckon it is now my main channel, though it's weird to say that as I love my gaming channel. It's the OG!) takes up so much time and I've put SO much pressure on myself to get Spyro and CoD done, especially with my one video experiment. I used to record 3-4 hours of gameplay a week. These last two weeks with Spyro and CoD have seen me record close to 20 hours AND still do my reactions (well, I skipped an Angel. Sorry Buddy. I'll catch up with you on Monday 😅)
✨ So... I know this is going to be SO HARD for me to do because I think I'm a bit of a workaholic, and I also feel pressure on me to keep up with the content on this channel - this next upcoming week I am not recording anything for the gaming channel. I'm going to spend this week working on my video essay channel and FINALLY getting the video I've wanted done and edited. It's a RDR2 video essay. I will share it with you all first but it's just not at that point yet. I'd like to put out a few videos on it first and see how I feel about it. I truly feel so confident about this new channel idea. I love making let's play videos, but I've always thought there is so much more I can be doing within the gaming space. I have so much to say, so many thoughts, that often just sitting there playing a game doesn't feel like I'm utilising ALL of me. I really feel I can make this new channel work but I just don't have the time to do it - so I'm making time.
✨ Making changes is hard for me. I am so full of anxiety and fear about it. I know you've probably seen me go back and forth a LOT over the last year with my content. Changing it up, doing different things, and it seems now I am going BACK to let's plays but AGAIN in a different way. I sometimes feel bad because it might seem like I don't know what I am doing, but all I really want is to be happy. Back when this channel first started, I used to make RDRD2 outfit videos. I'd put up a compilation of skirt outfits, vests etc... I feel I had more freedom back then. I suppose my channel was small and mostly unknown, so I could put out whatever I want. I often wish I could put out silly outfit videos or character bios or just random stuff but I can't do that here. Maybe I can experiment with Shorts more, they aren't as "proper" so perhaps that's the solution for that. But again, time. I don't have it. And I want it. I need to get this video essay channel off the ground - but I don't know how to balance everything.
This is a bit longer than I intended... but once I started typing, I couldn't stop. I'll share this on my patreon page tomorrow - I've just uploaded a Buffy there and don't want to overwhelm people but I also know there are members there who are there for the gaming side too. Thank you for being here and believing in me. I am eternally grateful 💜 (advice, thoughts etc, are welcome)
TL;DR:
I’m experimenting with single-video playthroughs after Crash Bandicoot performed surprisingly well (7.5K views, 74 subs). I’m testing this again with Spyro 2 next week and have also recorded Modern Warfare (2019), though I worry about not having a clear niche.
At the same time, I’ve been working on a new video essay channel focused on game stories/characters (RDR2 video essay is in progress). Balancing this with my reaction channel and gaming content has been overwhelming, so I’m taking a break from recording gameplay next week to focus on the new channel.
I feel anxious about change but want to create content that fully expresses my thoughts and ideas. I’m unsure how to balance everything, so I’d love to hear any advice or thoughts. 💜
Comments (14)
Jules and anything RDR2 related ...I'm in!!!!
WAHEY 🙌 I've been getting lovely clips from cutscenes, and I think I'm all ready to put it together! I have this idea in my mind... I hope I can make it look as good as I am thinking! Off topic, but did you comment on my gaming or reaction channel the other day? I think I saw it, but now I can't find it and don't know if it was just a dream or not 😅
I suggest putting things on a rotation, maybe alternate months of full plays with a month of one off and smaller games in order to keep what you are doing somewhat fresh. I do this when I am writing (multiple projects) to prevent any burnout.
That is actually a great idea! I used to do more of that a while ago, mix up the bigger games with the smaller ones. I enjoyed that. I do love the small indie games the most 💜
This makes me want you to play Baldurs Gate 3 SO badly. You could easily make character essays about the characters! Or the Dragon Age series ♡ maybe one day!
I love this idea, Rhi!! Something like that appeals to me so much more than doing a let's play 💜
I guess the main thing I'd say is don't burn yourself out and make sure you leave space for the rest of your life. Organization can definitely help, but I feel like you know that already.
I'm hoping a week off making let's play videos to work on other things really helps me 💜 I'm so excited for it 🤩
Jules, do what you feel is right for your channels and stress levels. I agree with others that you should cut back on what you put out if it helps with the stress. Hate to say this because I don't want to add more stress (I think I brought the following up before), but with all I want to watch in general and playing games myself, it might take me some time to watch a 3+ hour video. Just so you know where I stand on things and me handling it. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you and enjoy your content.
Goodness, you are exactly right... Honestly I've been second guessing the full Spyro video 🤣 Maybe in 3 parts would be better. See, this is the issue!! I never know what to do 😭 Thank you so much for your support. It means the world 💜
Well, I can only suggest to divvy up the workload. If you feel like what you're about to attempt may be too much, it's a matter of figuring out what to trim out. You said the Crash video did well and you liked doing it, so if the two new ones do well, I'd be hesitant about taking any more pauses on the gaming channel. The only other thing to trim out would be the reactions, though. Maybe knock them down to one a week? You might even consider paring them back even further. I'm sort of spit-balling as I type, so it's only now that I realize you really may have to consider which is more important to you as a content creator, gaming or reactions. I feel like you might have to devote attention to one *or* the other. 🏳🌈🖖💙💚
DG, thank you, always, for your help and support 💜 I know it must be annoying sometimes as I live so often in my own head and get stuck there... I'm trying to find a way out 😅 I guess it's also hard as I usually only mention my concerns and worries when things have reached a bit of a breaking point. like now. So most people aren't even aware there's even *been* a struggle! That's definitely on me. I definitely don't want to slow down the reactions. That is where I'm seeing the biggest success and things are doing so well on that channel! Buffy is coming to an end soon, and there's just one final season of Angel. Once both those shows are finished, I then have a LOT of time available so I'm planning on Doctor Who still, and maybe a movie every 2 weeks or so. This is something I'm looking forward to! I will still make content for the gaming channel but I've mentioned this a few times and I don't feel a let's play brings out the BEST in me. I've tried to do different things with simulator content, doing skits and songs (which I enjoyed as they are creative!) but ultimately I want to take my love of gaming and elevate it to something other than just playing a game. Hence the little break to work on other projects. I find myself saying all the time "I'm just so tired". I really, really need this break for my own mental health. I work far too much, trying to do everything. Yes, an editor would be amazing but I cannot afford it yet. So I do what I can, which is too much, and then I burn out. I am SO EXCITED about this upcoming week, I cannot even believe it. Just the thought of spending time working on other things, and not recording a let's play, feels incredible. I won't even know who I am 🤣
Juliette 💜 Since I already mentioned it yesterday, I'm 100% taking credit for the TL;DR 😛
It was absolutely your idea 🤣 I can't believe I wrote so much stuff. I have no idea what was going through my head hahaha