We need to talk about the channel.

Summary

In this candid update, Andrew discusses the challenges and uncertainties surrounding his YouTube channel as 2025 unfolds. After a tough year for Paladins and a recent decline in views and engagement, he's considering moving away from Paladins content. He reflects on the channel's evolution, his frustration with the game, and his desire to stay passionate about content creation. Andrew hints at shifting focus to new games like Deadlock or potentially leaving YouTube altogether if things don't improve, but assures viewers he will be okay. He wraps up by thanking his audience for their continued support.

Takeaways

• 😀 The creator, Andrew Chicken, is reflecting on the state of his YouTube channel as he enters 2025, predicting significant changes this year.
• 😀 Andrew mentions that his channel might not exist in its current form by the end of 2025, signaling potential shifts in content focus.
• 😀 The creator is a primarily Paladins-focused content creator but has diversified into other games, though Paladins still dominates his channel.
• 😀 Despite some positive moments in 2024 for Paladins, the overall trend is downward, particularly in terms of player numbers and matchmaking quality.
• 😀 Andrew is considering moving away from Paladins content due to the game's diminishing popularity, player base, and personal dissatisfaction with recent content creation.
• 😀 The creator acknowledges his own content has become less engaging and admits to struggling with burnout after eight years of Paladins-related content.
• 😀 Personal frustration with the state of Paladins and the content creation process has led to increased negativity in Andrew's recent videos.
• 😀 Despite suggestions from viewers to switch to other games like Marvel Rivals, Andrew is hesitant to pursue games he's not passionate about.
• 😀 Andrew sees Deadlock, a game by Valve, as a potential successor to Paladins, offering similar gameplay mechanics and customization, and is considering making content for it.
• 😀 He plans to cover Paladins' season 8, but if it doesn't significantly improve the channel's performance, he will begin transitioning to Deadlock content in 2025.
• 😀 While Andrew doesn't foresee any immediate financial struggles, he highlights the importance of transitioning his content to remain viable on YouTube, especially if Paladins' decline continues.

Q & A

What does Andrew mean when he says his channel might not exist in its current form by the end of 2025?

Andrew is expressing concern that his YouTube channel, which is heavily focused on Paladins content, might face significant changes or even cease to exist if the game’s popularity continues to decline and his content strategy doesn't adapt.

Why does Andrew feel that 2025 is a big year for change?

He believes that 2025 will be a year of transformation due to the changing state of Paladins, his channel's stagnation, and his possible shift to new content, marking a transition away from his current focus on Paladins.

What does Andrew identify as the primary issue with the state of Paladins?

Andrew points out that Paladins' player base is shrinking, with poor matchmaking and declining Steam chart numbers reflecting the game's waning popularity. This has made it difficult for him to continue creating engaging content around the game.

How does Andrew feel about the current state of his YouTube channel?

He feels frustrated and disheartened by the stagnation of his channel, especially after experiencing a particularly bad month in December 2024. This is in contrast to his earlier years when the channel was growing successfully.

Why is Andrew hesitant to switch to Marvel Rivals despite its potential for views?

Andrew is hesitant because he isn’t passionate about Marvel Rivals. He values making content about games he genuinely enjoys, rather than choosing a game purely for financial gain or business reasons.

What other game has Andrew considered transitioning to if he moves away from Paladins?

Andrew is considering Deadlock, a game developed by Valve, as a potential successor to Paladins. He enjoys its mechanics, movement system, and customization, which he finds reminiscent of what initially attracted him to Paladins.

How does Andrew view the potential for Deadlock to succeed on his channel?

Andrew sees Deadlock as a game that could revitalize his channel and is hopeful that if the game gains popularity after its full release, it could lead to a surge in views and engagement, allowing him to make content he’s passionate about.

What does Andrew say about the future of Paladins content creators?

Andrew acknowledges that many established Paladins content creators, like Z1es, unban M, and Kami, have already moved on from the game, leaving fewer creators behind. He speculates that Frost Fangs may be one of the last prominent Paladins creators still active.

What condition does Andrew set for continuing to make Paladins content in 2025?

Andrew says that if Paladins’ Season 8 is a success and brings a significant influx of players and content, he will continue creating Paladins content. If not, he will transition to new games, like Deadlock.

What is Andrew’s ultimate backup plan if his YouTube channel doesn't succeed with new content?

If his YouTube career doesn’t work out, Andrew plans to return to programming, which was his original career path before YouTube became successful. He also jokes about potentially becoming a rice farmer.