Hi game devs,

I am trying to start a unity game development channel because I think it would be a great way to stay engaged in the community as well as keep expertise up on the subject. Teaching is a great tool to learn , as you must research and make sure that everything you provide is usable, helpful, and correct. And providing help to others is always great too. Another reason is that I think it would help with speaking because I am starting to focus on public speaking events and it's a skill that I have wanted to work on for a while. I wanted to see what you guys think of when you watch video tutorials for game dev. Do you generally have a channel that you go to first? do you try to look for videos that provide the assets so you don't have to do it yourself? Do you look for shorter videos?

ANY tips, ideas, or advice would be fantastic, and if you want to support or check the channel to see what should or can be improved: http://www.youtube.com/user/bigrookdigital, and if anyone else is a content creator for videos I would love to hear your opinions as well!

Thanks in advance guys.

Create a project from start to end ... take a LOT of notes.

Once the project is finished, go back and edit the notes into
1: Plain English almost any one is able to understand ( use simple terms )
2: Chunks that can be done in 10 - 20 minutes .

What not to do:

1: "wing it" - recording without any clue what you are trying to accomplish - if unsure practice first !!!
2: Rushing through without explaining each step you are doing in a clear, simple manner
3: Not doing good narration as you go.
4: Assuming the viewer knows anything about what you are demonstrating
5: Not using commonly available tools and resources
6: Using any kind bad music - Just leave the music out - even in the intro
7: Not demonstrating a program / project in the natural order you'd do it in real life

I watch a lot(!) of twitch game dev streams. so I'll give my advice for streams rather than a youtube channel, but some of them might be directly related. Nether the less I recommend streams over youtube videos, you're more likely to generate new interest in your game, where as youtube is a great way to update existing potential customers.

Must haves

Microphone (and webcam)

Any streamers that don't have either of these are looking at 1-3 viewers, but ones that do can have hundreds. although you are probably looking at around a peak of 30 for an unknown developer + unknown game. Make sure to be vocal, even if nobody is watching, someone browsing game dev doesn't want want to watch a stream where nobody is talking (or watching) with EDM music blasting in the background. Talk about what you are doing, why, potential directions, plans for the game etc..

Music

Make sure your viewers cant hear your fan, put some music on in the background. People don't like white noise!!

Game testing A.K.A gameplay

popular streamers are usually 'testing' their game on stream. The inverted commas here because they arnt really testing, they are playing it so the viewers can see the game, which other people don't have access too yet. It might just be a new patch that you are 'testing'.

Ultimately calling it testing makes the viewer feel more involve with the process, they arnt just watching you play a game, they will later play, they are helping you 'test' your game. You will often see comments such as "hey look, there is a bug here, do that again!!"

Regular Schedule

Make sure your followers know when you will be streaming, if they are interested about your game/development they will plan a head of time to watch your stream.

Varied content

TBH, programming is the most watch stream, then art, then audio. It can be any of these however... just do what you love.#

just my two cents :)

thanks so much guys, this helps so much. Very much appreciated!