If you're a gaming content creator on YouTube, the dream is always the same - earning money by doing something you love. With so much gaming content flooding YouTube, how do you turn your passion into revenue? Well, luckily, we’ve compiled the 2024 trends in YouTube gaming right here!
1. Let’s Play: Is It as Popular as It Used to Be?
The short answer is yes, the long-form Let’s Play videos are still very trendy. Not all gamers have great computers to enjoy newer, more demanding games. So many indulge in watching others enjoy the game like they would, but there’s a catch. Well, two catches, actually.
First, let's play videos absolutely everywhere. Everyone is doing them, including the big sharks of the niche. So unless you already have a big following, there’s little luck to make it big via such content.
Second catch - short-form content is creeping up fast thanks to TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The average attention span of a viewer shortened, which is why not everyone would commit to watching 20-60 minute long videos. The trend in 2024 shows that short clips are gaining traction.
Pro Tip: Combine both worlds. Post a long-form Let’s Play while cutting highlights into Shorts. That way you’ll get even more attention.
2. Game Reviews
Another popular niche that gained attention in recent years is game reviews. New and exciting games are appearing every single month and for an average gamer, frankly, it can feel a little overwhelming. Along with the heavy hitters like Starfield, Baldur’s Gate 3, and the next-gen consoles pushing new experiences, everyone is eager to know if a game is worth their time without spoiling the plot.
But there is also a demand for reviewing smaller games made by indie studios such as Stray, Slay the Princess, Jusant, Cocoon, Venba - there is always a game to review. This type of content is in-demand and can go extremely viral. A catch is the same, however, the days of long reviews are fading, people crave to-the-point takes, so if you’re able to fill that niche, your gaming channel might gain popularity faster.
Pro Tip: Demonstrate the gameplay in the background, while focusing on the story and whether the game is worth getting. Try to steer away from spoilers, throw in a dash of humor and there you have it!
3. Speedruns
If there’s one gaming trend that refuses to die, it’s speedruns. Watching a pro tear through a game level like Super Mario Maker - Ultra Kaizo in under two minutes still excites audiences (especially if you consider how hard the actual Kaizo challenge is). In 2024, viral gaming videos often include shocking, unexpected speedruns of both retro and new titles.
Pro Tip: Start streaming your attempts at breaking records, and then post your best runs as videos. Even if you’re not the fastest, the sheer tension can draw in viewers.
4. Challenge Videos
Remember when people tried to play Dark Souls with a Dance Pad? Or those Pokemon Nuzlocke challenges? Or, perhaps, World of Warcraft hardcore leveling challenge before it became an official thing? Yeah, we remember those. Challenge videos are still a massive hit in the YouTube gaming community. They combine humor, skill (sometimes to a very impressive degree), and often sheer frustration (which audiences absolutely love).
Pro Tip: Think outside the box—challenge yourself to finish games using ridiculous controls, complete levels without jumping, or attempt no-hit runs. The most important part in challenge videos is creativity!
5. Lore Videos
Dedicated gamer audiences cannot get enough of their favorite game. So much so, in fact, that they would seek in-depth lore videos talking about their favorite characters, their background, the lore of the game and its rich history. Fans adore deep dives into their favorite titles and this content always gains traction among the others. The trick is to choose a popular game!
Pro Tip: Combine storytelling with solid research. Bonus points if you can add humor and imagery in your videos, which makes it more enjoyable and more entertaining.
6. Gaming News & Updates
If you’re always up-to-date on the latest gaming releases, patches, and industry gossip, you’re about to make it big and become popular on YouTube. Gaming news channels have seen a massive uptick in subscribers, especially those that cover trending topics like upcoming game updates, leaks, and gaming drama. But be fast—news cycles in gaming move at lightspeed.
Pro Tip: Aim for fast turnaround on breaking news. If you can drop an update video as soon as new information surfaces, you’ll be ahead of the competition.
7. Modding and Customization
Modding communities have never been stronger, and 2024 is the year of modding trends. Have you ever wished for your favorite 12 year old game to improve its animations, graphics, gain some quality of life changes and so on, but you know for sure that the creators will never go back to review these minor things? Well, modders took care of that for you. And showcasing those brand-new, sometimes mind-blowing mods can gain traction really quickly.
Pro Tip: You can create videos where you try out the weirdest mods you can find, or just showcase the best (in your opinion) mods for certain games.
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8. VR and Immersive Gaming Content
Virtual reality is no longer just for the tech-obsessed—it’s becoming mainstream. Games like Half-Life: Alyx and Beat Saber continue to push the boundaries of immersive gaming and the trends in the gaming channels on YouTube. In 2024, VR gaming videos, especially with full immersion setups, are trending hard. Even Minecraft VR is becoming more and more popular. Seriously, it’s impressive!
Pro Tip: Capture your experience playing VR titles—whether it’s horror games or rhythm-based challenges—and watch the views roll in. Be sure to include facecam footage, as the physical reactions to VR gaming are a huge draw.
9. E-sports and Competitive Gaming
The esports scene continues to explode. Whether you’re covering the latest tournaments, giving live commentary, or diving into breakdowns of popular games like League of Legends and Valorant, competitive gaming content is only going to keep growing. Or, perhaps, you are a competitive gamer yourself and play in tournaments. Just show it and your audience will love it! You don’t have to win the competition to post a video-breakdown.
Pro Tip: Find your angle. Whether it’s explaining pro strategies, offering post-match breakdowns, or interviewing players, esports coverage is a great way to carve out a niche.
10. Game Theories
Game theories and speculative content always do well with the gaming community. Hidden meanings, small snippets of information in games that have seemingly no lore invites for an interesting theory video. Popular YouTubers have built entire careers off wild game theories, and in 2024, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Pro Tip: Find unique angles or connections within a game that others might have missed. Presenting a fresh, compelling theory can attract serious attention and discussion.
11. Top 10s
The classic “Top 10” video format is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Whether you're listing the top 10 hardest bosses, most beautiful game worlds, cosmetics, or funniest glitches, viewers love these quick, digestible videos that offer a mix of entertainment and information. Plus, ranking games is an easy way to stir up debate (and engagement) in the comments section, so your video can go even more viral.
Pro Tip: Include fun commentary in your lists. Personal takes and hot takes tend to perform better and make your video more memorable.
12. Live Streams
Live Streaming remains one of the most popular formats for YouTube gaming content. After all, livestreamers seemingly earn a lot of money. It’s easy to create such content, and you can always hold 24/7 streams or multistream (with the help of Gyre), making you even more revenue. Of course, there’s always a benefit of directly speaking to your audience. It promotes community building, which boosts long-term channel growth.
Pro Tip: Plan special events like "24-hour challenges," "blindfolded gaming sessions," “playing until winning,” or themed streams to generate more buzz and increase viewership.
13. Tutorials, how-tos
With complex games like Bloodborne, Sekiro, Celeste, Darkest Dungeon II, Fez, and The Witness being on the rise of their popularity, tutorials are a trend in the YouTube gaming community. Audiences are constantly seeking tips on how to defeat bosses, find a certain treasure for an achievement, how to craft, or how to solve an annoyingly difficult puzzle. The more in-depth your tutorial, the more likely it is to be shared and recommended.
Pro Tip: Make sure your how-tos are beginner-friendly but also include advanced tips for seasoned players. Cater to different levels to reach a wider audience.
Bonus Round: Gaming Memes
Gaming memes—whether they’re reaction memes, in-jokes, or clever references—are the best possible trend to hop on. Meme videos can often ride the waves of viral trends, sometimes exploding into overnight sensations. They’re quick, humorous, and very shareable, making them perfect for platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
Pro Tip: Stay on top of meme culture within the gaming community. Incorporating the latest trends or creating a clever spin-off from popular games will make your videos relevant and potentially viral.
YouTube gaming trends in 2024 offer a wealth of possibilities for viral content. The key here is to stay current, stay creative, and most importantly—keep gaming. Don't just ride the wave—create it! By keeping an eye on these trends, you'll be well on your way to gaming viral gold on YouTube.
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