Can You Trust Board Game Content Creators?

[@TheKingofAverage]

I've not seen either of Jesse's video so won't comment on that. Just wanted to say I appreciate you covering the industry like this, great job man! I recall finding Wild Assent Lavon Rising really lackluster and wanted to let me viewers know that I highly recommended Stormsunder of Lavon. I published my video and they dropped $8,000 that day in funding. I'm not saying there's a solid line from me to their funding, but it really made me realize that what we do isn't just something that should be done casually and I've (far too slowly I'm sure) tried to change how casual I act in front of the camera as a result.

[@Kiratze]

Hey love the videos and appreciate you chiming in! I think it's definitely a delicate thing being a content creator as a business. It's important to know how much influence you have and the responsibility that goes with it (as you seem to be aware of!)

[@GamingRulesVideos]

I can assure you, your videos have an impact on things. When a popular influencer like yourself says something, people get influenced. And I appreciate honesty, but sometimes when the comments are hurtful, that can cause and impact on people. I'm one of those people impacted by this in the past. It's good to know you are planning to change and be more careful.

[@Catchafire2000]

When an unreleased game gets several content reviews in the same day or week, we know it's a paid "review". What I don't like is the sheer number of content KZbinrs push out.

[@Olabid]

This was a thoughtful commentary, thanks for the different kind of video.

[@GamingRulesVideos]

Thanks for making this video. As a content creator who does do some paid content, I have my own take on the current situation :)

[@Kiratze]

Hey thanks for watching! There's definitely lots to unpack with the situation haha.

[@timwanger4491]

This 7,5k good review "service fee" just leaves a really bad taste. I know that in the back is probably a lot of shady stuff going on but knowing about it is a different thing. This sounds more like an extortion racket than anything else.

[@Kiratze]

Yah an influencer in the video gaming space pulling the same move would be immediately blacklisted. That being said I'm always for giving the benefit of the doubt. We've only got one side of the story.

[@zenster1097]

@@Kiratze Why would they be blacklisted? The video game company would love that. A person who can be bought but it can't be proven? Video games want to sell games. If they can get positive coverage, they'll do that. I have to push against this idea that video games are a "mature" industry, and maturity, means companies then somehow become ethical and will not get in bed with youtube creators. A capitalist/company is a capitalist/company. If such a company was a person and could sell grandma for a profit, it would do so. Companies are not ethical. Industries somehow don't make companies such. There's just more regulation or more outcry because they can't get away with the same thing, that a wild wild west industry can. I doubt it would lead to blacklisting. Some companies would love great coverage and be willing to pay under the table for guaranteed positive coverage of their game.

[@davidk6269]

The problem is the corrupting and corrosive influence of money. If content creators are not treating their channels/content as an important source of revenue, it WILL impact their content. The impact can run the range from intentional to subconscious, but the impact will be there. This is an unavoidable aspect of human nature.

[@adam551982]

Some, but not when they ask for 7500$ dollars and when ItU turns them down they post a negative review right after.

[@adam551982]

But you're also right, I'll take your suggestions to heart. I'm sure some knee jerk reactions were to seeing the response on kickstarter or youtube of backers saying they were now thinking of backing out of their pledge. These videos have real consequences for the devs just like the content creators.

[@Kiratze]

@@adam551982 True but there'll always be backers that back out for a variety of reasons. Have to remember there's still a ton of people who backed due to other creator's great videos!

[@LordJuzam]

I got into kickstarter boardgame channels slightly less than 2 years ago. It's niche, very hard to produce videos for (especially playthroughs). The product is usually expensive and expansive (takes a while to truly evaluate). So it's quite normal that only a few channels exist that can cover it well. Still I grow increasingly frustrated that a channel like Quackalope is on the top of the industry. I see the hard work he puts into it and keeping up with all ks is (near) impossible, but I really dislike his style. He often has clickbait videos (even one where he alluded to have broken up with his wife). I don't understand why he chooses short-term increase in views over an erosion of trust with his viewers. His reviews/gameplay , for me, lack structure and objectivity (seriously ATO is "bad" while KDM is his nr.1 game) and if other people appear in the video he has a tendency to interrupt them too often. There is a lot more nuance and issues I want to write about his channel, but this comment is already long enough. But it's really frustrating for a fan of the hobby to feel "forced" (due to lack of coverage otherwise of a game) to watch his content sometimes, while I rather wouldn't. I hope the "industry" will mature to a more objective, critical approach. However I fear KS-boardgames are too niche, so more opportunistic people will stay on top, because it's financially unfeasible to maintain a channel with this kind of content in another way. Although channels like KoA do give me some hope.

[@Kiratze]

It's difficult to be a full time content creator and I feel like unlike video games where a creator can find maybe one genre or game and live off that. That's not possible in board games. There's too many and they're too niche. So sadly you're sort of forced to adopt the quantity over quality method if you want to maximize revenue sometimes. I say sometimes because there are other channels like No Pun Included that are full time but release more sparse, but higher quality videos than someone like Quackalope or BoardGameCo because their content model allows for that. Both are valid options and both have their place. I just think there's definitely a right and wrong way to do both.

[@TableTopWolf1984]

I just wish prople would give us tiny channels a chance, as someone whos been doing this for 10 years now to very little success, ive noticed a lot that people just dont stick around, they pop in for 1 video for 30 seconds an then disapear, not leaving likes/dislikes or comments, an your video youve worked on for 6-7 or even more hours struggles to get 50 views. But you keep going every week an try again, an i wish more people would give us a chance, especially when we tend to be the more honest since we spent our own money on what were playing/reviewing but thats just the nature of youtube i guess

[@Kiratze]

Depends on what you define as "success". People popping in for a video IS giving you a chance you have to remember. Just because they watch a video, doesn't mean their obligated to watch all your other ones. KZbin is fickle and board games especially are an extremely difficult thing to "succeed" in because there are so many and many are so niche which means that people who only are searching up one game won't care about the videos on other games. To be successful in creating content you can't just upload videos and expect people to come. Marketing, knowledge of the industry, and finding your niche is important all the while being consistent with it. There's a reason the board game scene only has a small handful of large board game channels that are able to do it fulltime.

[@TableTopWolf1984]

@@Kiratze since I've been doing it so long I consider success consistent views an watch time improvements, something I've not improved on personally since lockdown now, subs I don't care about, but youtube can't half be strange an fickle about what it puts in front of people, an yeah people aren't obliged to watch anything, but I have had comments before an noticed on other small channels people saying this isn't like this large channel, or complaining about lack of polish which small channels sometimes can't help an so 30 seconds is all you get an they never give you another chance unless bigger channels manage to spot you it seems an they give you a shout. I get the plugging an marketing thing, an no doubt that holds a lot of us back, some of us are just working class blokes who fix cars up so have no idea on that stuff lmao, took me 3 years to get 100 subs so ive always been crap at it lmao.

[@Kiratze]

​ @TableTop Wolf ​ I mean you can't let those comments get to you. There'll always be picky people. But if this is something you're passionate about and you want it to work, then you have to invest in certain things to make it as possible as you can. Save up money for better equipment. Practice new skills in editing. Do research on other channels. I will say looking at your channel, I'd say you're spreading yourself too thin. Do you cover Crowdfunding stuff? Do you paint miniatures? Do you cover FM 23 Director of Football? Seems like you're all over the place. If you want to do all the things, that's perfectly fine. Just be aware that from a "Business" perspective it's a bad way to retain new people when you're switching up videos every time. If someone comes to you because they enjoyed your Marvel Legendary playthrough, but then you suddenly post two Director of Football videos, they might not bother anymore.

[@TableTopWolf1984]

@@Kiratze oh I've done all that already mate, I'm 10 years in not a few months lol, my equipment is as good as it can be for a disabled unemployed council house living father of 4 kids under 10 also lol. Other than my playing space that's basically my kitchen an lighting there's nowhere for me to go an they are impossible to improve with the space in my house, my editing is on point an snappy also. My channel is 90% solo board game playthroughs, you've just glanced upon my latest stuff which does seem to have gone off well I will say, my top 3 videos for the year, 1 is my ultramarines an 1 is a footy manager vid, so I've been experimenting really, that's my first ever kickstarter video also, just thought I'd try something new see what happened coz anything over 50 views is great for me, marvel united an zombicide was what basically shot my channel up subs wise, so I know what would work if I nieched down, but I got burned out on those a long time ago, even sold zombicide. I'm just happy sharing my hobby playing stuff solo I suppose, again a niche within a niche

[@Kiratze]

@@TableTopWolf1984 Sounds like you've already got success then! As long as you just keep doing what you enjoy, that's all that matters.

[@smoker420la]

Have you now READ the emails?

[@BillySpenc]

I agree making content is hard. I tried alot and just starting to do new videos but I just had to be honest with myself and say "You create when you have the fuel" as someone who is writing books and focusing on self publishing it can be draining and people that do youtube everyday it can be hard especially if you stream. I do think though that its best to admit when one grows out of a creator. When it came to Quackalope I use to watch him a ton but don't as much due to just the KS stuff mainly but as a viewer I just not engage with it and find new creators like yourself, or other channels who I like to watch more. it's okay to grow tired of someone's content, and I think critiquing a creator is fine. Like others I am just waiting and seeing, theres alot of drama right now and i'm just wanting more to focus on positive stuff as cringe as that is. XD

[@eriksjogren800]

Thanks for your video

[@eriksjogren800]

Also - I enjoy your videos because you speak your mind, follow your passion and have interesting takes on stuff. Good message as well, in this video. Appreciate you sharing stuff.

[@Kiratze]

@@eriksjogren800 Hey thank for the kind words! Means a lot 😊

[@smoker420la]

Genesis 2:11-12 [11]The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; [12]And the GOLD of that land is GOOD: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. LORD instructions on WEALTH BEFORE INSTRUCTIONS ON LIFE! YI make up your mind....Jesse "cappy" video gets no love. You did yourself even worse with that "statement" video if you walks and quakes like a duck. CALL IT WHAT IT IS...

[@kitcarpo4745]

How about that fellow still plugging Mystic Games hard? I won't call him out here. But I will plug Paula Demming! She is great and I am sure the MG thing hurts.

[@Kiratze]

Paula's a joy!

[@zenster1097]

I don't have issue with Jessie on that. Do I agree with his way of doing games? Honestly? No. It's to me he's too bought up to be objective but if someone likes him? Whatever. My issue is far more serious. His employee's father past away (West mentions it in the comment section), he doesn't look happy in the video (I don't blame him). I don't know if he wants to be there, but I have a feeling he had to be there. To me, that is just reprehensible to do to your employee. I think giving an employee time off is the best and professional thing to do. My criticism of Quack has been up to now, very milquetoast, in the sense that I don't like his content, found a response weird and immature, and not exactly ethical (my opinion) in disclosing sponsorship content. Boardgames are boardgames. No harm, fowl. It doesn't really matter. I watch KoA (and you even when you post from time to time). People are going to like different things. Quack does have an audience and I respect that. However, now it's a little bit more serious and my opinion of Quack has plummeted down the toilet. I haven't watched his video, except for the first few minutes to verify to begin with (which is how I stumbled upon something I think is significantly worse).

[@Kiratze]

West could have overestimated how ready he was to produce videos during that time that's all. Just playing devil's advocate because we don't know the full story and it's good to not jump to conclusions haha. But it's a good point!

[@zenster1097]

@@Kiratze He says it in the comments what happened when someone asked why he isn't happy in the video. I didn't make that up.

[@Kiratze]

@Zenster Oh I know his dad passed away! I just meant we have no clue if something like Jesse offered West time off but West still wanted to work type situation. Again just offering another opinion haha. Your point is still valid.

[@zenster1097]

@@Kiratze That's true. We don't know. Pray-tell I'm wrong. I'll give a benefit of a doubt.

[@raider363]

My main issue is how the video was framed. It was obviously a very negatively framed video but their actual words didn't mirror that level of negativity. I don't even disagree with a lot he said but the thumbnail and title are so clickbaitey and I don't like that.

[@Kiratze]

The KZbin algorithm game unfortunately is a cruel mistress that demands engagement.

[@raider363]

​​@@Kiratze sure and I know they've gotten crap in the past for clickbait videos but this is beyond that. This is saying a game is a masterpiece in one video and then saying it's one of the worst games they've ever played in another. That's just kinda shitty.