D&D General Weird "DnD Is Dead" Youtube Trend??

[GrimCo]

In the end, it boils down to money. "Staying visible" just means having enough views and engagement for that adsense money and sponsorship money (or free adverts if you sell your own product). People change stuff for business reasons, cause some of the creators turned their yt channels into full time jobs. I understand creators that would rather change to keep up with algorithm than get regular 9-5 job.

 

[bedir than]

In the end, it boils down to money. "Staying visible" just means having enough views and engagement for that adsense money and sponsorship money (or free adverts if you sell your own product). People change stuff for business reasons, cause some of the creators turned their yt channels into full time jobs. I understand creators that would rather change to keep up with algorithm than get regular 9-5 job.

Nope, it's still a choice.

Ginni Di and SlyFlourish are both doing well and nothing they do is click bait. They don't lie to you about D&D being Dead and then selling you D&D.

The best actual plays aren't borrowing from the clicky thumbnails, because quality doesn't need to lie to you.

These claims about "that's what the algorithm wants" are justification for abusive behavior by creators who couldn't bother to learn modern marketing techniques despite that being their chosen jobs.

 

[nyvinter]

Ginni Di and SlyFlourish are both doing well and nothing they do is click bait. They don't lie to you about D&D being Dead and then selling you D&D.

Would also throw in people like Mystic Arts who picked up after Colville stopped with Running the Game and Corkboards & Curiosities. They both mainly went the patreon route which is less beholden to the Youtube algorithm.

 

[GrimCo]

Nope, it's still a choice.

It is a choice, i said that. Choice to try and appease algo gods by doing whatever it takes or just do your own thing as you did before.

Ginni Di and SlyFlourish are both doing well and nothing they do is click bait. They don't lie to you about D&D being Dead and then selling you D&D.

Not familiar with Sly's content, so can't comment about it. Ginni has branched out from D&D into ttrpg in general.

The best actual plays aren't borrowing from the clicky thumbnails, because quality doesn't need to lie to you.

Actual plays are it's own genre.

These claims about "that's what the algorithm wants" are justification for abusive behavior by creators who couldn't bother to learn modern marketing techniques despite that being their chosen jobs.

Well, it is what algorithm wants and it's what algorithm pushes. It rewards it with more views, which is one of the metrics brands look at for advertisement deals. It's different business strategy.

 

[Afroconan]

Not familiar with Sly's content, so can't comment about it. Ginni has branched out from D&D into ttrpg in general.

I've only casually browsed Ginny's content but unless she's the kind of person who calls every rpg "D&D", 7 out of her last 10 videos put D&D in the title.

 

[bedir than]

Well, it is what algorithm wants and it's what algorithm pushes. It rewards it with more views, which is one of the metrics brands look at for advertisement deals. It's different business strategy.

No. It's not "what the algorithm wants."

It's what a certain low effort viewer wants. But it's not necessary.

Modern marketing (my industry where I'm paid well to know these things) doesn't require manosphere clickbait to get attention.

This is only a requirement for lazy people who don't have original thoughts.

I've only casually browsed Ginny's content but unless she's the kind of person who calls every rpg "D&D", 7 out of her last 10 videos put D&D in the title.

Her last six videos are on actual D&D. It's not just the title. It's the actual game she plays. She's not an idiot and she's not being dishonest as you imply.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Hoenstly, I am really glad that my living is not tied to something deeply personal to me, as while I am sure it is rewarding when it is firing on all cylinders...the burnout potential is not attractive. How could I decompress from my work with my hobby if it is also the work thst is stressing me out??

Absolutely. Listening to what some of these YouTubers do and give up in order to make it their career, it doesn't seem like a winning proposition.

One thing I think about is how, back when I was playing shows and actively making music, I never had to worry about popular appeal. I could just make whatever noise felt meaningful to me, because it wasn't what was putting food on the table (okay, except for the one time my old band got paid partially in marshmallows!).

 

[GrimCo]

I've only casually browsed Ginny's content but unless she's the kind of person who calls every rpg "D&D", 7 out of her last 10 videos put D&D in the title.

No, it's D&D, but she uses d&d as placeholder example and starter for broader rpg themes. At least from what i watched, her stuff is mostly about soft skills, role play, storytelling. Most of her stuff is useful across ttrpg space. As far as i know, she never did deep dives into mechanics, classes, combos, not did she dive into reviews/news heavily. It's very portable content. You can remove d&d from her videos, and it would still hold great value for ttrpg play in general. It just happens to be that D&D is most popular and it's game she plays and runs.

@bedir than

In your professional opinion, for channels that are more into crunchy part of D&D, where content material is finite, or for those that focused more on news side, is there better tactic than ragebait and pray to algo gods? Since pivoting to more niche and not-D&D games doesn't seem to get that much views.

 

[bedir than]

In your professional opinion, for channels that are more into crunchy part of D&D, where content material is finite, or for those that focused more on news side, is there better tactic than ragebait and pray to algo gods?

Being an authentic, honest person with unique applicable advice. That way you never run out of material and you don't have to worry about someone else stealing it because they cannot be you.

It's what lifted Colville to his position too.

 

[GrimCo]

Being an authentic, honest person with unique applicable advice. That way you never run out of material and you don't have to worry about someone else stealing it because they cannot be you.

Unique applicable advice tend to be more system agnostic territory and more focused on role play and story telling side, then on crunch side of things. Also, news and reviews aren't same as game advice. Authentic, sure. Be interesting personality is always good for YT.

It's what lifted Colville to his position too.

To be fair, Colville isn't full time Yt content creator, nor is YT his only or even main income stream.