Small YouTube Channel's Bubble Has Burst?

Amiga madness made us do things. Such things!
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[@AmigaLove]

I'm totally right there with ya. My channel is about the same size. And I for one never ever tried to appease the YT algorithm to churn stuff out. I make videos when I can and I don't stress over it. So, YT's algo pretty much hates me I think, and that's OK. But to your earlier point I've certainly seen a drop in the recent months in overall engagement - that's true. But it could also be that the topics I've been focused on simply don't resonate with my audience. And not to sound arrogant, but that's OK, too. In late 2022 one of my best Amiga friends and mentors died and that hit me really hard. We’d done some amazing projects together and simply sitting down at my Amiga made me sad. Then in 2023 both of my parents died. At that point I decided to run as fast as I could back towards my childhood. And that meant returning to the safe place of my first love: the Commodore 64 (and exploring the C128, which I never owned back then). I went deep into that realm and lost myself for a good while. I'm still there to a large degree, to be honest. I started exploring topics I’ve always been passionate about but never put in the focus time to research and create video essays about them. But now I do. And even though it "breaks my brand" frankly it's kept me sane. And the views go down and down. But I never made the videos to make serious $ or even “become famous”. I made them first and foremost for myself and to share topics I find interesting to an (apparently very small) audience that has a similar curiosity. These video projects gave me an opportunity to become an expert in a niche topic that interested me and share what I learned along the way. If a few hundred folks enjoyed it, too, then that’s wonderful. If making the videos makes you happy then it serves a very good purpose. If it starts to feel like work, or a source of anxiety or stress, it’s probably time to take a break and recharge the batteries. Peace

[@HoldandModify]

when I started this channel, it was my mission to just share what I love. I never wanted to make it more complicated than that. That’s why my little intro phrase that I do ..I know it seems silly, but it’s actually very honest and that’s what I do. I know sometimes we feel like maybe we’re doing something larger. Some of us do. I don’t really ever ask anyone to like or subscribe. I don’t play the game. I have a job. I’m doing fine, I just wanted to say.. I really appreciate everything you shared in your comment. I hope people read it and that’s why we do this. We do this. because it’s something we all share. At least those of us that come here.

[@AmigaLove]

@@HoldandModify 100%, beautifully said. And thanks for the kind words.

[@005AGIMA]

I think there's also another factor at play. The explosion in retro channels also means you simply can't watch ALL the channels you want to support. It's literally impossible, so you have to pick and choose what you spend time watching, even from your very favourite channels. I feel like a "Bug time" channel, but the fact is, I was doing car videos waaaaaaaaaay back, and actually started my nostalgia journey channel in 2018. Love your channel btw even if I'm not a regular viewer (for the above reason) because I love your story telling, and I also love seeing behind the scenes of 3D animations. I used to use 3DS Max myself.

[@HoldandModify]

Thank you man! It’s a passion.

[@tony92506]

I'm a lightwave guy and love your Channel. Key doing the retro LW it's pretty cool.

[@HoldandModify]

Sweet! Thanks for letting me know!

[@stewis]

The tron scene looks amazing!

[@HoldandModify]

Thank you. I have shown it and my other Tron stuff in prior videos. It was a lot of fun. Still is!

[@bradhansen2065]

Please don't go anywhere, now living in Portugal. Your channel keeps me connected to the Computer I love.

[@HoldandModify]

I'll be here and thank you. Even I watch my old videos by the way. Nostalgia for my own stuff. Heh.

[@darrensmith4606]

Hold And Modify is like a regular portion of something different. I watch every one of your videos as it comes out. You are appreciated here!

[@HoldandModify]

Thank you! This channel has some great fans. Good comments and helping each other even, now and then. The subscribers are far from under produced and poorly produced. :)

[@amigang]

I never chased view, how I ran my channel was I usually just found a cool old Amiga video or something that I wanted to show to the world that Amiga where advanced and shared it. Kinda amazed that I had over 1.5million views. I not found as much recently to share, plus lack of time and knowing I’m not the best speaker/video editor is the main reason Ive not done much. But thanks for the vids you provided.

[@HoldandModify]

thank you! yes one thought about sharing more games and programs myself. in videos.

[@craigf2832]

If I see any cheap Amiga's I will be buying them Thanks for the great flashback to my early 90's Amiga days. All the modifications and details are captivating for an Amiga enthusiast.

[@HoldandModify]

Hah! Thank you!

[@keyboard_g]

I love the Amiga 3d rendering videos where you grab them from Aminet.

[@HoldandModify]

Nice! Good to know!

[@epremeaux]

Something about The Bug certainly inspired a lot of nostalgia flakes for some people. I had already restarted collecting Retro computers before the bug, but the Bug gave me nostalgia feels for other hobbies I had 20 years ago.

[@HoldandModify]

Yup, for sure.

[@Pink404]

I appreciate all your videos. Ones like this where you're just making observations feel like I'm listening to an old friend muse.

[@HoldandModify]

That was my hope. Thank you. I will keep trying.

[@10MARC]

My channel has really just stabilized instead of growing. For the last two years or so, pretty much no matter the content I put out, I get about the same number of subs and views per month. Growth... But really slow now. Putting out Shorts can help the view count, but they are just a bit useless really.

[@HoldandModify]

Yeah same. When I experimented with some of YTs suggestions, it worked. But I was never comfortable with that and have pulled back. But that’s just me.

[@AmigaLove]

Shorts seem to breathe engagement life into my channel when I'm too busy or tired to create long-form content, but they don't typically generate significant numbers of subs or revenue.

[@jkdsteve]

Love your videos, keep the LW coming! Have you ever done a tutorial on texture mapping? Want are the limits? I’d like some clue how to make surfaces a bit more realistic/ dirty :)

[@HoldandModify]

I have in some of my earlier videos. I actually describe how texture mapping works in lightwave and how it’s so different from what we have today with UV mapping. :)

[@Your_Degenerate]

I get more recommendations for small channels and streams now more than ever.

[@HoldandModify]

this is interesting…mine has been a bit weird lately

[@Voyager_2]

My feeling says the human malware is not the only factor. The last 6 months I noticed the enormous amount of new retro channels. I don't know if the algorithm pushes them more or that there is a new wave of them. To be honest most of the channels focus on the very basic things we have already seen many times. I mean how many times do you need a video of somebody taking a C64 apart and cleaning them? But the pool gets a little diluted. I do think there is a marked for the more in-depth video's that take there time. I watch Adrian's digital basement videos that are about a hour and I love them. The younger generation like the Kari style video's more where you can mod a famicom in under 10 minutes. So yeah things are changing but I would not worry to much. There is a place for video's like yours 🙂

[@HoldandModify]

Hey thanks. That's neat to read that even my.... "content" may yet have a place! :)

[@proteque]

for me it has actually been the other way around. My channel has suddenly got viewers :) I try hard to not think or care about the numbers and just "do my things" and have fun though. I do enjoy all the comments and tips I get because my channel has grown though. it has given me a lot of cool tips on things to try and improve on my amigas and setups.

[@HoldandModify]

That’s great! Continued success!

[@ocno]

Thanks for putting things in perspective. I joined the channel only recently, definitely looking forward to what you have to say in general if you branch out but I think now is definitely a good time to also start going through your old content.

[@HoldandModify]

check it out! Some of it is actually …something. :)

[@rklein]

Hey Q, it gets a little old watching videos all the time on KZbin. There's no interaction and no real point unless looking for a particular solution to some issue. It would be cool if you started a project that we could all participate in like treat us as a huge rendering farm 90's style. Come up with some cool scenes to render then we all contribute the frames and you put together the full video like the Voyager defending the B5 from waves of various enemies or something. It would be fun taking your scene files and rendering the content. Just a suggestion.

[@HoldandModify]

Interesting. That would be quite involved. Something to think on for sure. Thank you.

[@SJSsesco]

That's a great idea! I still love messing around with Light wave on my Amiga👍

[@shaunfreeman972]

Ahh..LW 3.0...the babylon 5 scenes on lightrom cd 3..iffs..pure nostalgic joy..

[@HoldandModify]

Lightrom discs were a great asset!

[@disasterincarnate]

seeing less and less retro channels in my feeds unless i intentionally search for stuff, personally i think thats likely due to the big push from "modern" game companies that peddle unfinished malware infested games, people are starting, tho very slowly, to wake up and notice their supposed games are just money/data farming spyware with a game wrapped inside and are moving back to older games, older devices which ofc big tech doesnt want so anything related could be getting pushed down due to an updated algorithm.

[@SledgeFox]

I enjoy every of your videos. As long as you want to play around with your Amigas and take us with you via your camera, I think we all are 100% happy! Many don't own the hardware anymore and today the original Amigas are on the expensive side. ;) My A-4000 is still here, I have 2 in fact and an Amiga 1000, but I am sure both 4000 are victims of the destroyer of worlds, the VARTA leakage...

[@HoldandModify]

As always, thank you and glad I can still entertain!

[@jadefalke1977]

I like your conted and you babling along about Light-Wave and stuff. 😊

[@HoldandModify]

Thanks for the feedback and letting me know! I like that too!

[@deamondeathstone1]

When I started watching retro channels, I was able to buy an Amiga 500 with six games and Amiga OS 1.3 for €75,-, buy a re-cap kit from the UK for €20,- and get Amiga OS 3.1.4 on disks with a rom for € 50,- and have fun. Now I get maybe a chipless main board for the same price? I've been priced out of the hobby a bit.

[@HoldandModify]

Yeah it’s gotten bad, but there have been some drops compared to the peak. At least here.

[@ChrisFredriksson]

Don't you dare stop making Amiga videos, ok!? 😋 There are way too few Amiga channels, both before and after the bug. Not sure what I'm looking for, but just.. do Amiga stuff, like always 😋❤

[@HoldandModify]

HEARD.

[@ChrisFredriksson]

@@HoldandModify 😂😋😃❤

[@toneycassel4448]

I’ve never owned an Amiga but I know what HAM files are! I’m with the others, don’t let your show end, it’s still interesting.

[@HoldandModify]

@@toneycassel4448 Nature....will find a way.

[@jjdigitalvideosolutionsllc5343]

New YT algorithms are killing many YT channels more than bug-time impact and recovery.

[@HoldandModify]

That's funny and sad!! Hah!

[@sphere6]

Might also be because I had to watch three one-minute ad videos to even get to the main event. C'mon KZbin!!

[@HoldandModify]

$12 for YTP! I watch more YT than any other streamer by ALOT. Plus….ya know….it supports me too. :)

[@Uhfgood]

I'm really starting my KZbin thing here soon (I've made a ton of very boring videos and never got much success) but if I would have taken the plandemic time more seriously, I would have used that to my advantage. I live in Florida, so most of the bug stuff didn't even really affect me. I mean other than masks, which we thankfully didn't have to do very long. But if I would have realized what kind of captive audience I could have had, I would have spent serious time upping my KZbin game.

[@cjadams7434]

would love to see more video toast-ah stuffs… .

[@HoldandModify]

I know Lightwave but not much else of the Toaster.

[@AmigosRetroGaming]

I don't think it's just the Amiga scene...I think views are down across the board. The BIG KZbinrs have been dropping vast amounts of views, so it's natural it would trickle down to our little corner. I think the fire is still there for the Amiga true-believers, and I think while yes, there are some folks losing interest, I know what will be left after the dust settles are the folks that have a true passion for the system.

[@disasterincarnate]

plus that little corner still seems to have more newcomers adding their vids to the mix maybe diluting things a little? altho most of these new channels i occasionally spot are just people showcasing some new thing via webcam rather than a well "produced" video.

[@HoldandModify]

we shall survive we shall prevail

[@davedave9308]

Retro is perhaps no longer the novelty it was. I know I am more selective with my YT viewing these days. (HAM always gets a click though !)

[@HoldandModify]

@@davedave9308 And I thank you! I will some more content out.

[@a4000t]

Wow 230 vids. They have been great. Love the real Amiga content, Lightwave stuff is very interesting no matter how bad i am at it. The tron stuff is amazing.

[@HoldandModify]

Awesome! Thank you. And yes, Tron is always fun and near and dear…to me.

[@heltstekt]

weekly aminet news/tests would be fun =)

[@HoldandModify]

That's an interesting idea!

[@ddniUK]

Aminet idea is sound. Maybe even do an aminet CD retrospective video series…

[@DavePoo2]

The show must go on!

[@HoldandModify]

Always! ….Somehow. ;)

[@Pink404]

Since the dark times ended my channel has, very much relatively speaking, blown up and I have over 10 times the normal views on my last few videos. That's me, always the contrarian through no fault of my own.

[@HoldandModify]

Fantastic!!! I saw a nice bump and have been growing too. Just not at the same. Others have seen very large drops. Keep going I say!

[@MarquisDeSang]

neeeeeeeSH, its a french word.

[@valentine_puppy]

I'd love to have seen some videos on making 80s intros like Commercials or programs (Programs as in television shows not computer software. Just to be clear on what I mean.) with Lightwave 3d. I mean, if you weren't rich enough (Like today) to buy and own a Paint Box. What could be done. I think that's a cool video to do with Lightwave, no?

[@HoldandModify]

HMmmm... flying logo type stuff?

[@valentine_puppy]

@@HoldandModify Yes, stuff like that.

[@cullmaster7361]

But “Q” there are shows that haven’t ended. The Simpsons, Greys Anatomy etc.. 😉 What would be great would be a basics tutorial guides on Lightwave etc. Where do you start? I know what you are saying about content at the moment. Possibly do something similar that Dr Chris does. But with software? Where someone needs help with a design piece. They send it to you to jazz up or show how to make it better? Be a shame to see you fizzle out… Cheers 🍻

[@HoldandModify]

I have piles of LW Basic videos, hehe. An entire playlist! :)

[@jadefalke1977]

Danke!

[@HoldandModify]

Whoa! Thank you!! That was most kind!!

[@josephphillips9243]

God damn it. Is this a breakup, it sounds like a break-up? I gave you the best years of my life and now you dump me for some floozy you met for 5 minutes at a bar.......... oh wait sorry Q wrong input text box was talking with my now ex........ Q, love your channel, thank you for your videos.

[@HoldandModify]

hahah…You tell her! and.. thank you!

[@imalebowski]

First vid I've watched in a while. The game was rigged from the start. Your best stuff was never going to hit big numbers because it was too niche but YT pushes more and more into quantity over quality. Would it be worth switching to making vids when you feel happier doing it for fun regardless of views again, even if that's a while?

[@HoldandModify]

Absolutely. I really do think besides the occasional ramble podcast it will me mostly just me and Lightwave.