The importance of Youtube gaming channels.

Well to start off, the title might be a bit misleading. Mainly because it's mostly my own opinion on how the gaming industry works and my limited understanding of how successful YouTube channels work. HOWEVER, FEAR NOT. The main point I wish to point out is the importance of linking Youtube and the gaming community together. 

First of all, a brief history of myself. I grew up playing games ever since I knew what a Nintendo GameBoy was. My next console was the Super Nintendo. From there I moved on to Playstaion, Playstaion 2, Playstation 3, blah blah blah and so on. So as you can see, I've been playing console games all my life. Putting that aside now, YouTube has become another outlet for delivering news, comedy, sketches, and cute cat videos. So, how is the two linked? Simply put, YouTube be viewed as another medium in which games can be projected and spread around the community. Many people are starting to "play the Youtube Station", meaning "I rather watch someone else play than play it myself." Does this make me mad? Not really. If anything, quite the opposite. I think it's a great thing. 

INTRODUCING GAMING TO NON-GAMING COMMUNITY

Although I've been focusing on just console gaming, I really do include PC gamers too. I feel there are not one super gaming machine (which you guys can argue all you want in the comments. I ain't stopping you). Not every one has the patience or the finance to play every single game in the market. This is where YouTube comes into play; by simply just watching someone else play. Free of charge. And in some cases depending on who you watch to play the particular game of your choice may or may not skip to the important parts of the game. This is only one way YouTube acts as a medium to gaming. The other way is simply just free advertisement for the game. Of course some YouTubers get sponsored to talk about or play a certain game. But for those who don't the game maker simply gets free advertisement through YouTube. This is particularly good when it comes to Indie Game Makers.  This helps market the game to potential gamers who might be interested in the buying the game after watching someone else play through it. Promotion is always a good thing when it comes to selling; its everything!!! Not only through YouTubers can companies promote their game. They themselves can also open up their own channels. It's a lower cost and efficient way in advertising for something. 

THERE'S ALWAYS A DOWNSIDE

Like everything else in life there's always a catch. Nothing is 100% perfect. YouTube can also end up being a double-edged sword. It can help with promoting a game through a popular YouTuber; but it can also backfire. Meaning after viewers have seen the game its almost the same as if they "played" the game themselves as well. Sometimes it could be the promotion for the game is more hyped than the actual game itself (ahem movie trailers ahem*). 

BottomLine is..........

Don't hate YouTube or hate a particular gaming console for their flaws and inability to produce something great. As Nathan Drake always says  Sic Parvis Magna - "Greatness comes from small beginnings".