You want to reach massive audiences on YouTube and do it fast? You’re a gaming channel that struggles to get more engagement and grab more attention from their existing viewers? Well YouTube Shorts are here to help! However, how could you grab viewers’ attention in under 60 seconds? We've got a collection of killer ideas to help you level up your Shorts game and keep your audience hooked.
Gameplay Moments
First of all, YouTube Shorts have been getting more and more popular with each month, getting the audience hooked on the 60-second video format. Secondly, gameplay moments in YouTube Shorts format is the bread and butter of any gaming channel. It’s a great way to tease your longer content in the form of smaller, bite-sized videos. The key here is getting the most attention-grabbing snippets that get views interested immediately and make them want to watch your gaming YouTube channel fully. But what snippets can you show? Well let’s take a look.
1. Gameplay Highlights
One of the easiest but most impactful YouTube Shorts gaming ideas is compiling your gameplay highlights. These clips should feature your best plays, insane kills, or jaw-dropping moments that make viewers think, "Wow, I need to see more of this!" The shorter the clip, the more intense the action should be. Focus on high-energy moments that pack a punch in just a few seconds.
2. Speed Up Montages
Speed-up montages are an awesome way to fit longer gameplay into the short-form format. Show off an entire match or level in a super-condensed, fast-forwarded video. This can include everything from looting, setting traps, and outmaneuvering opponents, all while keeping the pace exciting and the action flowing quickly. These fast-paced, rapid-fire highlights will keep viewers glued to their screens.
3. Perfectly Timed Moments
Sometimes, it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. Perfectly timed moments—whether it’s hitting an enemy just as they peek, avoiding disaster by the skin of your teeth, a glitch happening at the funniest possible second, or a spooky moment occurring after you tell a funny joke—are great material for YouTube Shorts of your gaming channel. These short clips are highly shareable because they show off skill, luck, and a bit of humor all at once.
4. Game Glitches and Funny Bugs
Speaking of glitches, we all know that even the most polished games aren’t immune to hilarious bugs. If you happened to get these moments on camera, don’t hesitate to post them on YouTube Shorts! These clips are hugely entertaining and gamers love watching those Skyrim mobs walk off the edge of the cliff after you talk to them.
5. Speedruns
Gamers love watching someone blow through a level or a game faster than seems humanly possible. Speedrun clips are a great idea for gaming Shorts if you’re a pro—showing off just a few seconds of you beating the clock or skipping major portions of a game to reach the end faster than anyone thought possible. Even casual gamers find it fascinating to see someone beat a game at breakneck speed.
6. Challenge Videos
Take your gameplay up a notch by adding a layer of difficulty and making it a challenge. Whether it’s completing a game with only certain weapons, going for a no-hit run (also known as god run), or trying to play with a handicap, challenge videos make great gaming Shorts. They introduce a sense of suspense and excitement as viewers wait to see if you can pull it off. And if you do pull it off? Well, you become a legendary gamer like Dinossindgeil or BushidoYu, both of whom went through every Soul game without taking any damage.
7. Clutch Moments
When everything is on the line, and you pull off a miraculous save or win—those are the clutch moments that deserve their own spotlight on your YouTube Shorts. Capture those final seconds where it looked like all hope was lost, but you turned it around for an epic victory. These moments are adrenaline-packed and perfect for getting viewers hyped in the span of a few short seconds.
Did You Know?
The more engagement your Short gets, the more likely it is to be recommended to others. A Short that holds viewers' attention from start to finish is also more likely to be promoted. Moreover, don’t forget that regularly posting Shorts keeps you on the algorithm’s radar.
News and Reviews
Gaming news and reviews are always in demand, and it will remain one of the best gaming YouTube Shorts ideas to post. You can speak about everything: latest game releases, a new patch, new upcoming gear and much more. You break it into small digestible clips that get straight to the point and post them! These quick bursts of content not only provide value but also keep your channel fresh and up-to-date with the gaming world.
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8. Quick Game Reviews
Give your viewers a 30-60 second review of the latest game you’ve been playing. What’s hot, what’s not, is it worth their time, and does the game look interesting? Help them decide whether or not this latest release is worth their time, keep it short, honest, but not overly mean.
9. Reaction Shorts
Reacting to game trailers, major announcements, or even viral gaming moments is a great way to interest your audience. Reaction Shorts give you a chance to express your immediate thoughts and connect with your viewers emotionally— to show them whether you’re excited, shocked, or hilariously unimpressed.
10. Unboxing or Unlocking Skins
Gamers love cosmetics and skins, especially in games like Fortnite or Valorant. You can be unboxing a new controller, or unlocking a rare skin - it will excite viewers the same. It’s very satisfying to watch and perfect for gaming YouTube Shorts. If the viewers are as hyped about the loot as you are, wait for high engagement!
11. Controller vs. Keyboard/Mouse Showdown
The age-old debate: controller vs. keyboard/mouse. What could be better than that to put in gaming YouTube Shorts? Show gameplay comparisons, play against your friends and decide once and for all - which one is superior for certain games. These Shorts are not only informative but can spark discussions among viewers, driving engagement and keeping your audience talking in the comments.
12. Merch Unboxing
If you’re lucky enough to snag some cool game merch or official gear, do a quick merch unboxing. Who knows, it can be a limited-edition item, a new controller, branded clothing - possibilities are endless, and the viewers like to see this type of content. It’s a great idea for your gaming YouTube Shorts that will keep your audience entertained and ask for more.
Did You Know?
In order for Shorts to go viral, it needs to have high Average Percentage Viewed (APV). Many viral Shorts have over 100% of that, which means that their video has been watched multiple times. If your video performs well within the first 1k-10k views, the algorithm might push it to the broader audience.
13. Game Updates and Patch Notes
Break down the latest game updates or patch notes in under 60 seconds. Summarize the most important changes—new maps, weapon buffs, nerfs, or game mechanics updates—so your audience stays informed without having to read through long patch notes themselves. Because, let’s face it, reading the patch notes can be so overwhelming and boring, it’s so much better when your favorite YouTuber explains things in simpler terms.
14. First Impressions of New Games
First impressions are everything, and they’re even better when delivered quickly. Share your initial thoughts on a newly released game or early access title. These YouTube Gaming Shorts can serve as a teaser for a more in-depth review or just give viewers a taste of what to expect from the game.
Crafts, Best Builds and How-Tos
Crafting, showcasing impressive builds, and sharing quick tutorials are great ways to engage your audience in a meaningful way. It’s a great idea to show off your latest creations in Minecraft, or give your viewers essential tips to improve their gameplay. These YouTube Shorts ideas can help solidify your channel as a go-to resource for gaming knowledge.
15. Character Showcase
Here you can highlight different characters in moba games like DOTA 2, League of Legends, Genshin Impact, or even RPGs that let you pick a unique character. Break down their strengths, weaknesses, and unique features, or just show off their abilities and animations, but don’t forget to make it interesting, because trust us, nobody wants to watch a boring showcase!
16. Ranking Weapons/Armor
It’s pretty self-explanatory, here you just rank the weapons and armor from worst to best or vice versa. The order of the rankings doesn’t exactly matter, as long as you make it fun for the viewer (add some memes, for example). Here you compare weapons or armor within a specific game, so have fun with it!
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17. Before and After: Gear Upgrades
Here’s another great idea for your YouTube Shorts gaming! Show the impact of upgrading in-game gear by contrasting “before” and “after” moments. Emphasize stats changes and how the upgrades affect gameplay. You can show it in contrast, or talk about it, or just demonstrate how easy it is to demolish an enemy now with your shiny new gear!
18. Best FPS Settings for Games
Not all your viewers have the greatest computers. We know, it sounds awful. But you can help them by uploading the best game settings to improve their FPS (frame per second). The viewers will be thankful and perhaps this will inspire them to play the newest game with the smoothest experience possible.
19. Speed Builds
Do you enjoy building but also consider the process of doing so boring to watch? Well, there’s a great YouTube Shorts idea for you right there, on the surface. Time-lapse your speed builds in games like Minecraft, SIms 4, Terraria, Icarus or Sons of the Forest to show off your skills in an impressive, fast-paced montage.
20. Game Tips in 30 Seconds
You’re a professional gamer, right? Well share some of the knowledge you gained over the time you’ve played! Condense your gaming knowledge into bite-sized, 30-second tips, that offer quick solutions or game strategies.
21. Speed Test of In-Game Cars
Racing games are as popular as ever, because some people just can’t seem to get enough of cars! This fascination is your key to another good YouTube Shorts gaming idea! Testing race cars' speed by showing off side-by-side comparisons of their performance is perfect to keep your viewers interested. Bonus points if you can subtitle the names of the cars in that short video.
22. Countdowns: Best Characters/Weapons
You might think this is a bit similar to ‘ranking weapons and armor’, but you’d be wrong! Here, you showcase only the best of the best (in your opinion) and tell or subtitle why they are so good. Create countdown lists like "Top 5 Weapons" or "Top 3 Characters" to engage fans in ranking their favorites, sparking discussions in the comments.
Did You Know?
Since its launch in 2021, YouTube shorts have had an average of more than 70 billion daily views. Every month, YouTube Shorts collects revenue from advertising between videos. This revenue is used to pay for music licensing and compensate creators of Shorts. Profits from this remuneration for YouTube partners is 45% — regardless of whether you use music in your short videos.
23. Crafting
Crafting systems can be tough. There are some games that don’t make their crafting system intuitive and don’t include any navigation. Or there is one, but it’s a bit too complicated, or there’s a secret weapon/piece of armor that can be crafted in a specific way after completing specific criteria. That’s where your YouTube Gaming Shorts come in. Show off crafting systems from RPGs or survival games, give tips on how to efficiently gather resources and craft powerful items.
24. How to Get A New Mount/Gear Upgrade
Not everyone knows everything there is to know about your favorite game as a YouTuber. In fact, most people struggle and they don’t know how to get the latest mount or a shiny new piece of equipment while also not spending their entire rack of in-game currency. Give a quick guide on unlocking rare mounts or gear upgrades, making it easier for your audience to level up their game.
25. Hidden Secrets
Every game has loads of secrets to them, and you might even know some! For example, you might know a secret location in the Witcher 3, where you can get an amazing piece of armor, or you know how to unlock a secret hidden weapon in the Elden Ring. Show how to find these hidden gems that many players might have overlooked.
26. Best/Worst Game Mods
Mods for games usually make our lives a lot simpler, and they even give you a chance to show them in your YouTube Shorts gaming channel! You can share a whole list of the best or worst game mods, showcasing their fun, quirky, or downright hilarious effects on gameplay.
Lore and Theories
Gamers often can’t get enough of their favorite games and you might ask why is that so? Lore. Gaming stories and lore are often as immersive as the gameplay itself. The stories tend to be interesting, it’s like reading a whole book or watching a movie! So if you’re a fan of game lore, perhaps diving deeper into the narrative and uploading your thoughts compiled in YouTube Shorts isn’t such a bad idea?
Did You Know?
By using your YouTube Analytics page, you can see when your audience is the most active and post your video around that best time to get an additional boost in viewership?
27. Memorable Dialogue or Cutscenes
Sometimes voice actors of the game outdo themselves (like in the case of Baldur’s Gate III) and you just wish to share this perfect little snippet. Do it, don’t even think! Showcase unforgettable lines or epic cutscenes that make gamers relive the most emotional or intense moments from a game.
28. Fan Theories
Explore wild fan theories that speculate on game plot twists, character origins, or upcoming storylines. It’s not only fun, but sometimes the most outlandish theories that make a lot of sense come true, or are just fun to think about! This viral YouTube Shorts gaming idea sparks interest in many viewers, especially if that’s their favorite game you are talking about.
29. Easter Eggs
Show hidden Easter eggs that tie this game with a different form of media that players might have missed. This game might have a reference to a movie, or anime, or a meme and if you know about this nod of appreciation, show it! It can even be a secret message from the developers, finding and showing these in Shorts adds depth to any title.
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30. Character Deep Dives
Analyze individual characters, digging into their motivations, backstory, and evolution throughout the game. These Shorts cater to fans who are passionate about the people behind the pixels. Because, let’s face it, studios and even indie developers have gotten extremely good at making a compelling story for all of us to enjoy. Every character's background could be a separate movie sometimes!
31. Game Lore
It’s not just the characters who are interesting to explore in YouTube Shorts, it’s the entire worldbuilding and carefully created background for those characters to develop. Delve into the history and lore of game worlds, explaining key events or locations that shape the story. These detailed explorations can turn casual players into true lore enthusiasts.
Other Fun Ideas to Try
When it comes to gaming content, oftentimes thinking outside the box can lead to unique and fun YouTube Shorts for gamers all around the world. If you want to add a spark to your content, see these next ideas, you’re sure to find something that suits your unique style!
32. Gaming Memes
In this day and age everybody loves memes. Who doesn’t enjoy laughing at something only the fans of that certain thing will understand? Share funny gaming memes that perfectly capture the experience with certain games. These YouTube Shorts will most likely get a laugh and it might even go viral.
33. Show Your Gaming Setup
Give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at your gaming setup, from your chair and monitor to RGB lights and favorite peripherals. This type of content is great for connecting with other gamers and tech enthusiasts. Who knows, this type of content can even attract brand deals and maybe they would send you a GPU to promote!
34. Animations
If you’re a gamer and you’re skilled in other fields such as animation, don’t be afraid to show it! Create short gaming-related animations for YouTube Shorts. It can range from a fan art brought to life or a funny take on a gaming moment (or a character). You won’t believe how popular animations are nowadays.
35. Funny In-Game Pranks
Record yourself pulling off hilarious pranks in-game, like tricking your teammates or surprising enemies in multiplayer matches. Or, perhaps, you could make a video about how to prank your friends and teammates. These YouTube Shorts are always a hit with gaming communities that love a good laugh.
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36. Player vs. NPC
We have already said how much the audience loves funny glitches, which includes strange, or outright buggy NPC behavior. Show funny or strange moments when playing against NPCs, especially when their AI does something unpredictable. We have seen it so many times how Skyrim guards arrest you after having a bucket pulled over their heads and so much more. Don’t be afraid to post your reactions to that as well!
37. In-Game Fashion Shows
Show off the best (or most ridiculous) outfits and skins available in your favorite games. These fashion-themed YouTube Gaming Shorts can inspire creativity while showing off your collection. Or, better yet, you can make outfits on your own if the game allows that sort of creativity.
38. Revisit Classic Games
Take a trip down memory lane by revisiting retro or classic games. Share your reactions, comparisons, or updated takes on old-school favorites. Sometimes all it takes for your channel to become popular is some old-fashioned game like Fallout, Morrowind, Vampire: The Masquerade or any other that you really liked as a kid or even adult.
39. Old vs New
Compare older versions of a game with newer releases. Show how much it had changed and grew over time. After all, games (both online and single-player) change for the better constantly. These nostalgic yet insightful YouTube Gaming Shorts can spark interesting debates and discussions among your viewers.
40. Character Model Previews or Comparison
Not only the games themselves, but the character models have also changed throughout the games. Showcase new character models or do side-by-side comparisons with their previous versions. It’s a simple yet effective way to engage viewers interested in game design and visual updates.
