Why I stopped playing HOI4, CIV 6, EU4, and other strategy games...

Summary

In this candid video, the YouTuber reflects on their decade-long journey with the platform, discussing the evolution of their content from unedited Let's Plays to more curated and diverse videos. They delve into their experiences with strategy games like Civilization 5 and Europa Universalis IV, the challenges of burnout, and the impact of mods on their content. The creator also shares their thoughts on AI-only gameplay and the current state of games that better serve their creative vision, while hinting at the possibility of revisiting old favorites in the future.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The video creator has been on YouTube for nearly 11 years, evolving their content style over time.
• 📸 They started with Let's Play videos of games like Civilization 5, which later became less popular with the rise of live streaming.
• 🔄 The creator experienced a shift in their content from unedited gameplay to more curated and edited videos as they grew on the platform.
• 🚫 They faced copyright issues with Civilization 5 due to the game's use of copyrighted music, leading to many of their videos being claimed or privated.
• 🔑 A significant change in the creator's approach was the introduction of AI-only videos, where they would let the AI play out scenarios, which became a unique and popular format.
• 📉 The creator felt a sense of burnout and repetitiveness in their content, especially with games like Hearts of Iron 4, leading to a desire for change.
• 🌟 Despite burnout, the creator still has a passion for certain games and is open to revisiting them, especially with interesting mods or scenarios.
• 🛠️ The evolution of the creator's content also involved a focus on editing and improving the production quality of their videos.
• 📈 The creator's channel experienced growth, but they felt a lack of fulfillment with their content at certain subscriber milestones, prompting a change in direction.
• 🕊️ The creator's fondness for Civilization 5 is akin to a cherished memory they wish to preserve, making it less likely for them to revisit the game in new content.
• 🔄 The current content strategy involves exploring new games and formats that offer more variety and satisfaction, moving away from the repetitive nature of previous content.

Q & A

Why did the YouTuber decide to make this video without a script or bullet points?

The YouTuber wanted to speak straight from the heart and discuss the reasons for stopping certain strategy games, opting for an off-the-cuff approach to convey their genuine thoughts.

How long has the YouTuber been creating content on YouTube?

The YouTuber has been creating content on YouTube for almost 11 years, with their channel's anniversary approaching the 11-year mark.

What was the first game the YouTuber played unedited on their channel?

The first game the YouTuber played completely unedited was Civilization 5, marking the start of their YouTube career.

Why did the YouTuber stop making Let's Play videos?

The Let's Play format became less popular with the rise of live streaming platforms like Twitch, as technology made live streaming more accessible and appealing.

What issue with Civilization 5 videos led to many of them being privated?

Many Civilization 5 videos were privated due to claims from music companies because the game used copyrighted music as its background soundtrack.

What game did the YouTuber play again recently after a long break?

The YouTuber recently played Europa Universalis IV (EU4) again for the first time in a while on their gaming channel.

Why did the YouTuber start doing AI-only battles in their videos?

The YouTuber was inspired by an IGN article about someone letting AI run in an older Civilization game for real-life years, which led them to try the same in Civilization 5 on camera.

What was the YouTuber's experience with Hearts of Iron 4 when it first came out?

The YouTuber started playing Hearts of Iron 4 when it was released, but the game's community and mod scene took time to grow and mature, similar to other strategy games.

What changes did the YouTuber make to their content in 2017 to improve it?

In 2017, the YouTuber decided to start editing their videos to make them more engaging and to take pride in their content, which was a significant shift from their earlier unedited style.

What was the YouTuber's content strategy in 2019 when they felt burnt out?

In 2019, the YouTuber felt the need to change their content strategy due to burnout. They were exploring different directions, realizing the need for diversity and improvement in their content.

What are some of the reasons the YouTuber stopped playing certain strategy games?

The YouTuber stopped playing certain strategy games due to a combination of factors including burnout, a decrease in interesting mods, and the desire to explore other games that better fit their content style.