YouTube Playthroughs - Commentary or No?

[PawrassicBark]

I was just wondering this the other day, but I've noticed that there are two sides in the playthrough watching community - Those who hate commentary and those who hate not having it. As an aspiring Youtuber (Although, I probably don't play any games that interest any of you), I would like to know if the majority prefers or dislikes commentary in videos? I currently have some with or without, but would like to see what everyone else thinks before selecting a specific style. Of course it'd be great if I could offer both with and without commentary, but I feel that that would be fairly difficult while using OBS to record (I am always open to advice, though!).

So - Opinions?

[PawrassicBark]

so^1ph^7ia eredeti hozzászólása:

The only time I will watch a playthrough is when I am stuck in some part of the game and need help. I am not watching it for entertainment purposes (well technically I am, but you know what I mean) so I prefer to not see failed attempts or hear commentary, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Timestamps or if the guide is split into multiple videos I also appreciate. I hate to skip through 2+ hours looking for the 20 second clip that I need.

I totally understand you there. Sometimes when I've just been horribly stuck for a long period of time I find myself going to YouTube to see if I can just follow what someone else does. In those instances, I really just don't like to hear commentary since I'm just looking for a sepcific thing.

I mainly aim to play and record a lot of older games that could be for those who want to relive those old classics rather than just trying to show where things are like in a walkthrough, which is where I'm a bit torn. Some of the games I record, Star Stable Online for example, has the potential of being extremely boring without commentary unless someone is just really wanting to watch that video with all their might.

[mimizukari]

Dislike commentary. I like to hear the games original soundtracks/etc, but you may have a problem with fair use if you don't supply commentary. by adding commentary you can legally upload any gaming video you want, or even full length movies/tv shows/etc... without commentary, you are uploading direct footage not under fair use anymore. look at individual games upload video policies and make sure you follow them!

[PawrassicBark]

Shiki Ryougi eredeti hozzászólása:

Dislike commentary. I like to hear the games original soundtracks/etc, but you may have a problem with fair use if you don't supply commentary. by adding commentary you can legally upload any gaming video you want, or even full length movies/tv shows/etc... without commentary, you are uploading direct footage not under fair use anymore. look at individual games upload video policies and make sure you follow them!

True true - I almost forgot about that. I may look into it and maybe just do commentary on those titles in which I have to alter the recording in some fashion.

[Shaii]

It's not so cut and dried for me. It varies upon the commentator, game, and style.

[Jej]

I would highly recommend not adding any commentaries.

[Birna]

Well thinking about it some more, perhaps I was a bit quick to say "no commentary". If I am watching a stream for example I will usually prefer commentary, it can feel a bit dead without it.

Like macabre said it will depend also for me on the commentator. I often find a constant stream of consciousness a bit annoying, unless the person is very amusing. If you have some restraint and know when to talk and when to be quiet I think it will work well.

[Alpha]

It depends really. I don't really watch letsplays much, but when I do it's either for entertainment, then I would prefer commentary etc. or it's because I want to see the game, maybe it's an exclusive for another system or something and I want to see what it's like, then I would prefer no commentary.

[PawrassicBark]

I'm defnitely not a constant talker - I tend to like to sit back and just enoy the game rather than talk about things that don't matter whatsoever. When I watch playthroughs and someone's off talking about their twice removed cousin's birthday party or something, it gets a bit old to me.

[Kris]

I dislike commentaries as well. If I'm watching gameplay, it's probably because I want the game. Listening to someone talk takes away my sense of immersion and distracts me from getting a feel for it.

[s]

if your voice is nice and you can talk without disrupting the tone of the game then yes

[PawrassicBark]

So here's another question - How long do you like videos to be on average?

[mimizukari]

EventingLyn eredeti hozzászólása:

So here's another question - How long do you like videos to be on average?

15mins to 2 hours depending on the game. for example, if I'm watching a tekken 7 brawl I wanna see as much as I can in 1 video, 2 hour vid is fine for that.

[Smugass Braixen-Chan]

I don't see the point of having an LP with no commentary. I won't even watch an LP if it is just raw game-play footage.

I would rather just play the game myself at that point.

When it comes to walk-throughs, I prefer written walk-throughs because they are much easier to follow, you can look up the sections you actually need instead of skipping back and forth along a video timeline trying to find the relevant part, and actually explain what needs to be done instead of just showing you somebody else do it even though their situation may be completely different to yours depending on the circumstances.

That said, I also prefer informative commentary (EnterElysium) over "Lulz, I'm so funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyy EX DEEE!!1!1!one!" commentary (Markiplier)

[PawrassicBark]

Insanity Wolf-Chan eredeti hozzászólása:

That said, I also prefer informative commentary (EnterElysium) over "Lulz, I'm so funnyyyyyyyyyyyyyy EX DEEE!!1!1!one!" commentary (Markiplier)

Definitely agree on that one! I mean, sometimes some little rants and talks about life are okay (I'll rant briefly about my bad days at the vet clinic in some of my videos, haha), but not just constant attention seeking blabbering.

[Alpha]

If I really like a video series then I like long videos, like 30 minutes-1 hour. There are a lot of good Sims 4 challenge videos that can be pretty entertaining to watch. If I'm trying to learn how to do something or learn about the game, like tips and tricks, mod showcase, etc. then I like the video to be pretty to the point so I can take in more information in a shorter period of time.