Ever wonder why some gaming content creators skyrocket while others struggle to gain traction? It all starts with choosing the right game, one that aligns with your passion, audience, and growth goals. Whether you're launching a new channel or deciding what your next video series will focus on, the game you pick can make or break your growth and engagement.
Our comprehensive guide will help you navigate the complex world of gaming content, offering strategies to find the perfect fit between your interests, your audience, and trending opportunities.
Before diving into specific games or genres, the first step is understanding what kind of channel you want to build. Your channel’s structure will influence your game choices significantly. There are three main types of gaming channels to consider:
Single game channels focus exclusively on one game. Think of creators dedicated to titles like Minecraft or Runescape. The key to success here is choosing a game with longevity. Think something that has a large, active community and continues to receive updates or new content over time.
For example, Runescape has been around for over 20 years, making it an excellent candidate for a single game channel. To thrive, gaming content creators should aim to become the go-to resource in that community, whether by creating detailed guides, unique challenges, or exploring niche aspects of gameplay.
The upside of this approach is strong brand loyalty and tapping into an already passionate audience. The downside? Burnout. Playing one game for years can be exhausting, and you’ll need to find ways to keep your content fresh and engaging.
Take Jimmy, for instance. He started with a niche focus on completing every Runescape quest. Over time, he expanded into video essays on MMOs, keeping his content fresh while staying loyal to his original audience.
If committing to one game feels restrictive, a genre channel might be a better fit. These channels cover games within a specific category—like MMOs, survival games, simulators, or cozy games—to cater to a particular audience rather than a single title. Gaming content creators who specialize in genres can also establish themselves as experts in a specific type of gameplay, enhancing their channel's brand and visibility.
For instance, MMO fans often enjoy content focused on grinding and community challenges, while cozy game enthusiasts prefer storytelling and relaxing gameplay. By focusing on a genre, you have flexibility to explore different games while maintaining a consistent vibe and target audience.
Creators like Zack Scott exemplify this approach by playing a variety of Nintendo games but attracting viewers primarily through his personality and commentary style rather than any one specific title.
Trend hoppers chase whatever game is hot at the moment, hopping from one trending title to another. This approach can lead to rapid growth if you catch the wave early, but requires constantly being on the cutting edge of gaming trends.
Games like Schedule One or Repo have seen creators jump on their popularity spikes, sometimes finding unique angles, like playing a game in an unexpected way, to stand out.
Creators who jumped on the Among Us craze at its peak, like Disguised Toast, showed how timely pivots can lead to explosive growth.
While trend hopping can be lucrative, it’s also risky. You may spend time creating content for games that don’t catch on or lose traction quickly. The key is creativity and adaptability, finding fresh ways to present trending games.
While you have near-limitless options for your YouTube gaming channel, there are definitely some channel types that tend to get more attention than others.
Retro titles, like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, maintain enduring popularity. High-performing content types in the retro space include speedruns, challenges, and creative rule-bending playthroughs.
Examples include videos like “Can I beat Mario without touching colors?” or “How I fixed Lego Island’s worst bug.” Channels like Metal Jesus Rocks and Games Sack specialize in nostalgic and well-edited retro content, showing there’s a dedicated audience for this genre.
Indie games offer a treasure trove of creative possibilities. With countless titles constantly being released, covering indie games lets you showcase hidden gems and new experiences. This category often overlaps with trend hopping since many indie games gain popularity in waves.
The nice thing about starting an indie game channel is that there’s less competition and a steady supply of fresh content. The downside, though, can mean investing time in games that don’t gain any traction. Starting with first impressions or short reviews can help test the waters before committing to a full series.
Channels like The Indie Gamer and I Dream of Indie Games highlight how to spotlight indie titles effectively.
Sandbox and survival games like Minecraft, Valheim, and Runescape Dragon Wilds offer YouTube gaming creators endless opportunities. Their open-ended nature allows creators to produce tutorials, build series, and unique survival challenges.
Popular video concepts include 100-day challenges or playthroughs with self-imposed restrictions, such as playing Minecraft without jumping. These constraints add fresh twists to popular games, keeping users hooked on the content.
Channels like Neebs Gaming and Glock9 excel in this genre, creating engaging survival content with multiplayer dynamics.
Simulation games are currently trending, ranging from quirky titles like PowerWash Simulator and House Flipper to more niche simulators like Schedule One. It turns out a lot of viewers find immense satisfaction in watching the meticulous or humorous gameplay these channels have become known for.
Creators like Quill18 and PartyElite focus on simulation and strategy games, delivering tutorials and deep dives that resonate with fans.
Cozy games such as Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Paleia have exploded in popularity over the past five years. They offer relaxing gameplay, storytelling, and customization, making them a great fit for creators who prefer a chill vibe.
These games are a great choice for gaming content creators looking to create a welcoming and relaxed environment for their viewers. Channels like Eeowna and Payton’sCorner specialize in this niche, often uncovering lesser-known cozy games and streaming them live.
Evergreen games like Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, and Pokémon have massive, dedicated communities and endless content possibilities. But the competition is fierce, and standing out means you’ll need to bring a ton of creativity, high-quality thumbnails, and polished editing.
Creators such as DanTDM and Stampy Longhead have built careers around these titles by offering content that goes beyond simple gameplay.
Games like Among Us, Repo, and Goose Goose Duck thrive on social interaction and personality-driven content. Creators in this space succeed by bringing energetic commentary, sharp editing, and a vibe that mimics friends playing together on the couch.
While these games often trend hard, you may not want to go after them unless they absolutely mesh with your natural style. Forcing content in genres you’re not into may come off as inauthentic and can hurt your growth potential.
First-person shooters and competitive games like Call of Duty, Valorant, and Apex Legends demand skill and personality. To crush the competition, you’ll need to teach viewers how to improve and still entertain them at the same time.
Channels like Civvie 11 pulls this off by combining gameplay expertise with engaging commentary to attract dedicated audiences.
Story-heavy games and RPGs such as Skyrim, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Fallout are practically made for long-form commentary, lore breakdowns, and cinematic walkthroughs. There are so many different ways players and creators can approach these games, making them a treasure trove of opportunity
Creators like Annie Austin and the Dungeon Dudes excel at deep dives and storytelling, offering viewers fresh insights beyond standard playthroughs.
Finding the right game to play next involves more than passion and calloused thumbs; it takes research and finding a connection with your community. Some helpful ways to do that include:
All of this is great, but at the end of the day the most important factor in selecting a game is how it fits. Playing a game just because you think it will get views won’t lead to success if you don’t genuinely enjoy it. Passion, authenticity, and enthusiasm will easily make their way into your videos and your audience's perception of your channel. Plus, targeting games you’ll enjoy makes it that much easier to avoid burnout
For YouTube gaming creators, making your way through the ever-changing landscape requires focus, adaptability, and understanding what your audience wants.
YouTube brings gaming content creators a ton of possibilities. Remember to keep on top of trends, try new things, and be true to yourself and you might just become the next big YouTube gaming content creator!
First, nail down what games and genres you’re passionate about, their community size and longevity, and how well the game fits your content style. Research trending games and genres, but prioritize what you genuinely enjoy playing.
Both approaches work, but single game channels benefit from strong community loyalty, while genre or trend-based channels offer more flexibility. Choose based on your interests and long-term goals.
Tools like Twitch, Steam Charts, Reddit, and vidIQ can help you monitor rising games and trends. Also, make sure to follow creators known for early adoption so you can stay ahead of the curve.
Some of the best content for gaming videos use formats like tutorials, challenges, speedruns, lore breakdowns, creative playthroughs, and personality-driven multiplayer sessions. Just remember to customize your content to fit your game and audience.
Avoiding burnout is a lot easier when you’re playing the games you love. Along with that, it helps to take breaks when needed, diversify your content, and find a production schedule that fits your lifestyle. Repurposing content, like streaming highlights into shorts, is a way to keep content production going while you take a well-deserved breather.
Darryl is a writer with years of experience in online video software, combining technical expertise with a passion for educating audiences. When not writing, he’s tending to his farm surrounded by horses, chickens, dogs, and somehow cramming more plants into his garden than it could ever reasonably hold.
Apr 18, 2025
10 min read
Dec 8, 2020
5 min read
Jul 23, 2020
11 min read
Mar 25, 2020
7 min read
Mar 25, 2020
3 min read
Mar 24, 2020
2 min read
