Dear YouTube Content Creators and Friends,
Please, kindly, (I’m begging here,) keep your content videos under 30 minutes? Please? I really like watching GM advice videos, how-to’s for gaming, and TTRPG news. I would just prefer to not have to sit through an entire six plus hour livestream to do it!
Let’s say you have a cool title for your video such as, “How to Make Spicier Space Opera RPGs.” (Just an imaginary example.) I think I might want to watch said interesting advice. But, when I tune in I find out it’s a livestream. Well, next video, I guess.
Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this article are strictly my opinion. If you disagree or have a different opinion, that’s okay. I’m not an expert on everything. I’m not always right. I’m just writing from my experience as I know it. Your mileage may vary.
There’s a lot of TTRPG streamers on YouTube.
I love you folx, honestly. Actual Plays are not what I’m discussing here. I can easily sit through APs on my commutes if I so desire. There are dozens to choose from.
I prefer the news, reviews, and advice videos. Some YouTubers have chosen to sprinkle their advice/commentary into two hour (usually more) livestreams. I understand the appeal of a live audience and the Q&A with chat. That’s great and all, but can you maybe break it down in a short form video afterward?
I like my 20-30 minute nuggets of wisdom.
Short videos are perfect to listen to while I’m picking up the kids from school or killing time while waiting on my oldest to get out of work. One six hour video takes several listening sessions to get through even at 1.5x speeds.
Meanwhile, I’ve had to listen to people thank ALL of their Patreon members, a bunch of “witty” banter with guests, and probably one or two shameless plugs. It’s their livestream. They can run it their way. That’s great for them and all. It’s just not my cup of tea.
I’ll give another example. A lot of people are covering Pathfinder 2E Remastered edition right now. I watched one livestream for two hours where we maybe got 20 minutes of coverage about the actual character class and a lot of droning on about how the host thinks he knows everything, witty banter with the guest, and a former designer’s take on how he would have handled it (better.) My point is, we don’t need an hour and 40 minutes of meh rhetoric when 20 minutes gets the job done.
It’s likely all about the Benjamins.
I get the drive for Super Chats and whatever other revenue comes in on livestreams and more personal contact with sponsors, patrons, etc. I see it a lot on the Ufology side of things, and a little in the “New Age” spiritual circles as well.
Hey, we all got bills to pay. That’s cool. I understand completely.
I wholeheartedly endorse YouTubers doing livestreams. I just think that topical issues like, “How to run a better horror D&D game,” might be better handled in a shorter video than a four hour livestream.
Yeah, I know my channel is rather, uh, lacking at the present time. I’m going to start making videos sooner or later and if I do livestreams, it’s going to be a basic chat, getting-to-know-ya kind of thing. I want to try to keep my focused content under 20 minutes. I believe that’s the standard these days.
I apologize for the exhaustive rant. It’s one of those little peeves. Thanks for being here. I appreciate you!
–Publius.
Addendum: The November curse has already descended upon me. The kids managed to overflow the unkillable, undefeated upstairs toilet. I got it all cleaned up, but I can barely walk now. yay…
Jeff's Game Box 