How to Start a Gaming Channel in 2024 

👉 Grow your channel TODAY with vidIQ for FREE: vidiq.com/install

2023 is the year I learned that growing a RU-vid channel is hard, but NOT impossible

Key change I learned this year: 10-video series 👉 1 video compilation \/ Instead of 10 videos showing 10 different tasks in detail, people are really more into 1 video with the 10 tasks shown quicky 😊

WHAT I LEARNED... What Is Not Working • News & Update • Let’s Play What Is Working • X-Factor (something special about you) • Documentaries • High Skill-Level Content What Changed • Storytelling = Key • Series -> Compilation • Focus On Watchtime

I remember watching the 2020 version of this vid! It helped a lot, Great work Dan! :)

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my RU-vid channel a few years ago about The MetaVerse. Now I have 251 subs and > 61 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

creators like me who think they're not getting anywhere despite the efforts and hard work, keep going, never give up! keep getting better and keep moving forward! Here's my cheers to you, thanks! ❤

I've watched many videos that bring mostly updates, News, or brand new features in games. I can pretty much say 2:25 is a whole changer if you want to start a RU-vid channel. Thank you for mentioning that Dan keep up the good work and never stop creating these videos that the audience can enjoy.

People also love a game with a twist, like challenge runs are very popular right now

Thats our goal! We technically started in 2023, but we have learned from every mistake and are consistently growing! I know it sounds silly, as even my fiance laughed at me, but my goal is 1 million subs this year!!! Good luck to all, and I'm so excited for 2024.

I’ve been binge watching all of your guys small channel videos and just the past 2 weeks of following all the suggestions you give my channel has exploded over 9,999% in all categories. Thank you guys so much I appreciate it!

If you are reading this, I hope your channel grows in 2024! DONT GIVE UP!

I usually skip over these kind of videos because for years it has been the same tips. But I am glad that I watched this one. Very useful info and shows that the landscape has changed.

I had been using RU-vid since 14 years and just started my gaming channel in 2024. This video sure helps a lot for beginners like me to learn and correct the missing points which I was doing with my current content creation strategy. Thanks! 👍

I've been on youtube since 2011 and I'm a gaming channel and watching this has taught me to think a lot differently. Thank you for helping us tiny channels out.

Ya know, over the years i've been adding other types of gaming content to my channel since it first started. Ranging from Horror Let's Plays, to funny walkthroughs and often interesting indie horror games. Now just watching this on your channel, the tips and help definitely open a new light. Started from 0 subs in 2019 and went up to 779 right now to this day. Watch time and views aside, i'm happy to enjoy a hobby that makes me feel good and helps build an audience for chill watching. For all the creators that are still working hard since their day 1 and are struggling: Keep going, do not give up. You can do it.

Thank you. Your video confirmed a lot of what I suspected when it came to gaming channels and what does/doesn't work in the last few months. I first started my channel with the belief that highlights from livestreams would be better received than pure no commentary gameplay because of the mentality that no one would watch if they couldn't see my face or hear me constantly talking. Those videos received almost zero attention and it nearly ended my desire to upload to YT. In the past year I revamped the channel to focus purely on no commentary gameplay videos, and to my surprise they were better received than I ever thought was possible. Going from 4 views in a Subnautica highlights video that had been up for a year to 200 in an average Starship Troopers gameplay video in a week was the wake up call I needed. One thing I do want to start working towards is making longer videos (I also thought no one would want to watch a 1 hour video compared to 30-45 minutes) but I'll save them for the continuous games. Something I might consider doing, though I am unsure if I should since it feels like it would make the series redundant, is compiling them into one long video. Maybe I do the long video alongside the series so viewers can choose.

I started a gameplay analytics channel in the ladder of 2023 after failing to find a job from getting laid off at the end of 2022. I’ve gotten more traction than I ever thought possible in 3 short months. It’s a grind! From learning the software, to writing scripts, to the actual gameplay, voice recording, to actually creating the video. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Crafting some kind of story progression I think plays is a major part, but also don’t be afraid to borrow an idea from a bigger channel and put your own spin, ideas, or personality behind it. Keep up it everyone!

I’m a Simmer, and challenges are definitely what people want to watch. This includes both gameplay and building. First Looks for new content are my most popular videos, but those only happen once every 1-3 months. Focusing on the Sims has definitely helped my channel, but I still need to keep improving titles and thumbnails, as well as my editing skills. A camera might help too, but I’m not ready for that yet.

Great stuff in this video! I've spent almost three years on RU-vid creating Let's Plays. I decided even before watching this video to step out of my comfort zone in 2024 and make some different type of gaming videos. One thing I've noticed is that some of my gaming buddies have been doing well with videos where they do rankings or talk about games they like for different consoles. Talking about their favorite gaming things has benefited their channels a lot. I plan to make more of those type of videos more in 2024! I recently posted a video about 8 games that should be remade in 2024, and it was one of my favorite videos to produce. It took me two months of editing off and on, but in the end I was super proud of it!

Well, this is timely and encouraging! I just started a Modded Minecraft series in which I decided to go with telling the story, first-person, of the sole survivor of a crashed space exploration vessel. I just started it a few weeks ago. Thank you so much for your content and help for us beginners! :)

Please keep doing these types of gaming videos. I'm primarily a Sims channel, and its so hard to break into the search results, it seems like other social media gives me the most traffic to my channel rather than RU-vid.

I have been hitting a brick wall with my channel and combine with IRL stuff, been struggling but now got a new mind set and this video has given me inspirations as I used to do more tutorial and guide videos that did well but been focusing on let's plays because yes it is a lot easier with not as intense matching

Watch is definitely my biggest takeaway from 2023. I started the year sitting at 21 subs with about 50 watch hours. I put in the work (consistent uploads, crafting video ideas, titles, thumbnails...). But once I started making videos longer than 7 minutes, I noticed that I was getting more watch time hours. Now, I am fully monetized. Thanks vidIQ 🙏

I've been in the gaming challenge niche for over half a year now, and while it's not nearly as rewarding as I thought it would be there is defiantly value within it. I recently changed my strategy for my videos to go into more detail about the challenge itself (essentially changing the storytelling) so I'll have to wait and see how that goes. But I definitely have made many mistakes and standing out is really hard because I still stuck at titles and thumbnails even after over a year of practice; my CTR has always been lower then my friends so I blame that (if I had money I'd hire someone 😅). My point is, with gaming channels it can be a long and tedious process, but if you enjoy it at the end of the day even if you don't make it, the skills will help with your day to day life. Although maybe don't commit to always making videos thing as much as I have... (shout out to literally recording footage while I write this)

as a rising gaming channel, i really appreciate this video! i watch the majority of y'all's content but this one seems to be more promising since it reaches out to my genre of content personally. the video truly shows that you don't need a huge budget and a crazy topic or genre of video to get big, you just need time, effort, patience, and understanding of the youtube algorithm (factors i'm pretty confident in thanks to your guys' content. thank you for making this video!

I have also just started with my channel into the movies and TV shows niche, but it's challenging not to feel demotivated when your videos or shorts aren't getting any views

As a new finance RU-vidr this video is extremely helpful. A lot of what you mentioned applies to every niche on RU-vid. For everyone on this journey, you got this!!

I really needed this, man. Hopefully, we all succeed. Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in achieving your goals, and Happy New Year to you too! 🎉🌟

I've been doing weekly game news recordings during my live streams. They've consistently gotten better thanks to you guys and just doing homework and iterating each week. I also appreciate this perspective on not sticking to just one game/topic. Gaming is a niche with a bunch of sub-niches and we have the ability to go as deep or shallow in those sub-areas as we want.

I’ve been making SuperCuts of my series for a while now and they usually do alright for my channel. I manually place the ad spots so it’s less ads than watching the series in a playlist. So it offers viewers a binge worthy 12 hour video that doesn’t interrupt them with as many ads.

I recently noticed how optimizing for long form videos that can hold decent retention (shii even 10% till the outro) is pretty damn amazing. It's very nice to see my belief of focusing on watch hours backed up in this video!

Great video as always. Good to know the importance of watch time. Also glad to hear that you don't have to marry yourself to one game. That's one thing I'm trying to do is branch out and focus more on the genre of the game instead of one particular game. 💯

Happy new year! I followed your tips and my ctr jumped from 0.8 to 4.3% in a day and won +15 subs.

Glad the high skill works for videos still. Looks like ill continue to post the high kill games in the finals as I was an ex pro apex player. great video man thanks!

I just started doing Adventure-Style Voice Over gaming videos and I'm extremely curious if it'll work out in the long run. It takes a TON of time to edit, but allows me to do what you said in the middle of the video... Enjoy more games. This channel is such an awesome find, and its amazing to see someone being such a great resource for gaming video creation as well as motivation to keep creating!

I plan to go crazy hard on my yt channel this year, thanks for this VidIQ!

I appreciate this kind of content SO much! As a small RU-vid gaming channel this kind of content is so inspiring and really gets the creative flow going. Thanks guys! Here’s to 2024!🎉

I started streaming in 2023, only git around 100 subs but learning how to edit and keeping things simple and easy then you're going to struggle. I wasn't able to edit for a very long time, but I am seeing it's helping...Minecraft is oversaturated, so I've decided to be more unique in what I build. 😊

I think it's all about trying to find where you fit in and make the most of it. Sometimes what worked for someone else won't work for you which sucks but you just have to keep trying and find your way to success. I'm still trying to improve everyday and I'll never give up so we'll see what happens.

One thing I learned about my RU-vid channel in 2023 is I’ve got a very small community. Don’t get me wrong, I love making videos for the subscribers I have, but I know I want to expand my audience. Sure, gaining more subscribers is a goal, but if I don’t have a strong community surrounded around my channel/content, growth doesn’t matter as much.

Thank you so much for this video!

Iv had some doubts lately as to whether or not i should spend my time learning to edit ect. This has given me some motivation back so thanks dude!

I think for the 12 hour videos, the replay graph (idk what it's called) above the video timeline helps show peak moments of the entire series. So it kind of serves like a "top X moments of Y" video but with the entire series backing it up if someone wants to see more context. I tend to do that when I watch 12-hour tutorial videos.

This video is honestly so helping for the new creators! Even me im planning to start new channels but the thing i had in mind that many new creators dont is ima say a different opinion than they are and this prob is the best tip to ever give, its essentially an easier to understand the term "being different". Also vidiq may i ask, do small new channels get a boost? Many of my creator friends been saying that.

I think doesnt matter wich niece you have if your videos are unique and have theor own identity you will be noticed autmoatically

I wanted to started a channel, but I didn't know how make videos and actually start. This video helped me have a better understanding of how different kinds of gaming videos can help your channel grow.

i’ve always wanted to try a gaming channel, even if it’s not likely it’ll amount to anything. I think it’ll be a fun experience to have with my friends. Plus you never know you might get lucky. I’ll likely be starting it this year, so we’ll see where it goes!

If you finde this comment it’s 1 in 1000

Im in the same boat. I want to start a gaming channel but want it to be a variety of games. My issue is that i play all sorts from chill games like MC or Forza and others like Comp Valorant, Cod or Tarkov so they arnt even really similar :/

It's tough to create high quality content sometimes when you're all on your own, especially when also working full time. Initially I had done let's plays, but not of standard games. Games ran through google translate. Eventually I found a niche that I've enjoyed working on; "First looks" and what I like to call "Under the Radar". Mini essays on games that have either flown under the radar since they came out, or had a significant impact on my life. I'm still tiny, but I've seen growth and improvement over the past 8 months

I started my channel 8 years ago but started really uploading 5 years ago I've went on and off posting videos giving up and coming back to my channel but this time I'm hoping to stick to it since I'm older and starting to understand a little more about youtube. Thanks for the tips bro👍

Happy new year 🎉🎉🎉

I have a gaming channel and it's growing slowly but I am happy with that . I will give my best for my channel ☺️

I love gaming and my two cats. These two are basically where I spend most of my time outside of work. I always wanted to make my own channel and start uploading videos because I feel like positive experiences are more enjoyable when shared with others. Your videos has encouraged me to finally make a channel and upload my first video!

My friend and I (14 yrs) are creating a channel. So excited to see where this will go.

This is an extremely, valuable video thats not just for gaming channels. But for anyone getting into youtube in general. Because everything Dan is saying can be applied to anyone. Heard a lot of advice im going to start taking.

Trying bro we are trying😮‍💨😮‍💨

Thank you for these tips. I recently opened the channel and the biggest obstacle for me is the planning of the video because I love to play shooters, especially ww2

Thank you guys happy new year

Well i have my channel my name of boo gaming and it has been two weeks im good nearby 100 views and CTR is almost 2 to 3 % now and average view duration is more than 30 seconds and yeah im enjoying the journey because of you and you 💗

Waiting on Elden Ring DLC WOT! HAppy new year!

Been working on my gaming channel where I beat games with my feet and this video is very insightful! thank you so much!

From what I have learnt in a summary is stick to something that won't get old and boring for you and take time in editing so the results in your attitude in the video and editing makes it fund for the viewers

step 1: make minecraft 💀

im currently getting my setup and my socials setup but im going to try to create content in the near future i can guarantee this video has helped me understand how all of this works a bit better and for that i say thanks, wish me luck guys :)

i appreciate you avoided being too general. Specific examples of channels and why they work makes it so much easier to think about how to apply it myself

Ok I'll try...

Oh, I was wondering how to do this for my son

I do like the way how you talk to people. The do’s and don’t, and what’s confusing. But me as a person, I don’t have enough patience. For longer videos. Even when it comes to my autism, I have a hard time understanding some words. But that’s just me.

Thanks for all that you guys do, glad this popped up as i have just started posting long form videos and enjoying every minute so far

I was waiting for this video

Nice

fellow small gaming channels, we've all got to just stick with it and TRUST THE PROCESS

Great video, I started my channel a month or so ago and it is such a blast talking about your gaming experience. Just receiving a single comment makes it worthwhile 😂

Start a gaming channel in 2024. And then a ps4 controller in the thumbnail. I like that 😂

This is made just for me because I have 12 subscribers

I started my youtube channel 3 years ago, I uploaded some software content and then left it. After 3 years, I opened a youtube studio and saw a bunch of videos that got me 1.3 hours of watch time. I was shocked! Now I started again with more versatile content about gaming. Now I am feeling that it I can make it. INSHALLAH.

i’ve just started to upload and am going trying to implement these video characteristics over time i know it’s going to take grinding and a ton of time but these videos are super helpful. thank you!

Nice one

Is Roblox a good game for a channel

Thank you for the steps

Great video and has given me a lot to think about but any ideas for someone who enjoys sharing the experience of the game and the story with an audience outside of a regular let's play video/stream?

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Am I first?

Thank you. I just started a channel 9 years ago and this is super helpful. 😊

Thank you so much!

I'm early lol.

So what do you mean by a story with Let’s Plays? Planning ahead? If you’re playing a game for the first time, a single player story game for example, how do you tell a story on top of a story already?

13:13 yeah i do that sometimes i put up someone playing a game and play it too

I own a model car youtube channel and it isn't doing too well at this point in time compared to my competitors. I'm always looking for some new ideas and i like this idea of a "video essay". I think I will give it a try for 2024.

Thanks for the information I really needed it for my new channel (for fortnite)

Thanks man I'm currently trying to make gaming contents/gameplays,this might helps a ton soon

I like the reason of why I watch and make No Commentary Gameplay videos. I play those videos in the background, while I eat, while I do chores etc.

I grew my channel in 2023, and now I have 530 subs. I have noticed, since I have stopped doing shorts, my veiws are only in the low 70’s or 60’s. This video has really helped. I was thinking about going back to shorts, but I think I will persevere a little bit longer. I will also try some of your tips! Thank you!

Great tips! thanks man

Nice! Very informative stuff. And don't forget where you can find copyright claim free music 😏

i think this is PERFECT advice for anyone who wants to start a successful channel! love how you covered what people shouldn't do first, then go onto what they SHOULD do! great video guys, love it!

Thank you! Very helpful to small RU-vidrs.

Interesting about that 12 hour long videos. Happy New Year and all the best in this 2024.