These days, there is no shortage of folks who stream on sites like Twitch or produce videos for YouTube. Gaming is not only a popular hobby, but one that has spawned countless hours of video entertainment. Many people use gaming content to share their experiences, show off new or favorite titles and to grow a community. Many even get paid to do so. Getting money for this is a long road however, and it doesn’t happen overnight. So, the question here becomes a simple one: is video game content creation worth your time?
The first big bump in the road is discovering how much work it takes to get to the point of monetization. YouTube, for example, tells users that 1,000 subscribers and around 4,000 total watch hours are needed in order to start earning money. Twitch doesn’t make things easier. Creators there need to work to become affiliates and build up their viewership before any money is exchanged as well. This all makes it seem like a pipe dream in the end, but the long hours making progress towards that monetization can earn you a community and people who want to see your content.
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Content creators’ communities form slowly. When making the content, the creators put out work they enjoy, but cannot control who will find that content interesting enough to engage and consistently follow them. The videos themselves are just one part of the equation, since viewers usually stay because they like both the content and the personality of the creator.
Making entertaining content and engaging a community is about striking a balance between the creator’s work and their genuine nature. This means that old or even lesser known games are fair game as long as one can make them engaging for an audience. Seing that community grow and form around a creator is super heartwarming and very much worth the long time it can take.
Another thing that can make video game content worthwhile is what creators can achieve in the process. Alongside things like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stream for charity, community events such as Extra Life or the recent TRG Colosseum show that gaming content can raise absolutely massive amounts for charity. Using one’s hobby to give back definitely adds a meaningful element to content creation. Knowing you can make a difference is never a bad thing.
Doing this kind of content may also enable some to collaborate with the very people who inspired them. In the world of YouTube and streaming, big names work together all the time, and even bigger things can come of that. The Runaway Guys is a collective made by three friends who got together occasionally to make videos, all while still supporting their own channels. This kind of thing leads to more and more connections. The friends that one might make along the way is an argument for making content by itself.
Putting oneself out there can be a daunting proposition when one realizes just how much goes into it. The amount of time it takes to build a legitimate community or to get near earning any money is a scary prospect. But in the end, there light at the end of the tunnel, and wonderful opportunities along the way. The community that can be gained, along with what people can do and achieve while gaming is astounding. The friends and collaborations make it just that extra bit better and show that while video game content creation is hard, it is absolutely worthwhile.