Why Rec Room YouTubers Are QUITTING

Summary

In this video, Terra opens up about the struggles of maintaining a YouTube channel dedicated to Rec Room, especially after changes to the video partner program, reduced earnings, and the evolving landscape of content creation. Despite having over 100,000 subscribers, Terra faces declining revenue, a saturated market, and the difficulty of engaging with a young audience. She reflects on the golden days of Rec Room content, her own efforts to keep up with the changing platform, and her growing consideration of branching into other content niches. Terra shares her frustrations and concerns about the future of her channel and the game itself.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tera reflects on the evolution of Rec Room's Video Partner Program, noting a reduction in earnings due to lowered percentages and shorter support durations.
• 📉 Despite having over 100,000 subscribers, Tera is struggling to maintain income and engagement, with earnings stagnating at a similar level to when they had far fewer subscribers.
• 💡 Tera explains how the increasing number of creators joining the program and the younger audience's preference for 'brain rot' content have affected their channel's growth.
• 📊 Tera expresses frustration over the lack of detailed analytics, making it difficult to determine where support is coming from and which strategies are working.
• 💼 Tera's full-time job relies on their YouTube income, but they are concerned about the long-term viability of focusing solely on Rec Room content as the game's audience and economy change.
• 🎮 Tera feels disconnected from Rec Room's current direction, as the game has started catering more to screen mode players and younger users, which impacts their audience of older, VR players.
• 🏚️ Tera shares how rising costs, including a high mortgage, have intensified the pressure to make their YouTube career sustainable despite the declining earnings from the Rec Room Video Partner Program.
• 🛑 Tera acknowledges the loss of some former top creators and feels the Rec Room creator community has lost its spark, which is leading to fewer content opportunities and viewership.
• 🔄 Tera is exploring the idea of branching out to other content niches, like budget tips and recipes, to diversify their income and content creation, moving away from a sole focus on Rec Room.
• 📱 Tera considers the impact of newer platforms like TikTok and how the trend towards shorter, meme-driven content could challenge their more thoughtful, scripted approach to YouTube videos.

Q & A

What is the main reason the creator feels uncertain about continuing with Rec Room content?

The creator feels uncertain due to a combination of declining support, lower earnings from the Rec Room Video Partner Program, and a changing audience that prefers 'brain rot' content, which doesn't align with their style. They also worry about the future of both their channel and Rec Room, as the platform is becoming more focused on non-VR players and the economy is affecting spending in the game.

How did the Rec Room Video Partner Program change in 2022, and how did it affect the creator?

In 2022, Rec Room reduced the percentage of earnings for video partners from 10% to 7.5% and shortened the duration of support for creators from 90 days to 45 days. This change negatively impacted the creator’s earnings, as the number of participants in the program increased, diluting the available share of earnings, while the program's effectiveness seemed to decrease.

What are some specific ways the creator tried to combat the decline in support and earnings?

The creator worked harder by collaborating with builders for room promotions, hosting meet-and-greets, and constantly promoting their code in videos, live streams, and even through custom-made pop-ups and merchandise. They also invested in advertising their support code, though this often felt like shameless self-promotion.

What role does the Rec Room platform’s focus on screen-mode players play in the creator's struggles?

The creator feels that Rec Room’s increasing focus on screen-mode players, who are typically younger and less likely to spend money, has negatively affected their ability to engage a serious, adult player base that used to support them. This shift makes the audience more fickle and less invested in the game, which impacts the creator’s earnings from the partner program.

Why does the creator feel disconnected from the younger audience watching their content?

The creator feels disconnected from the younger audience because the content they enjoy often includes flashy edits and memes, which the creator doesn’t connect with. They prefer creating scripted content with meaningful messages, which they believe resonates more with their audience but may not be as popular with the younger, meme-driven viewers.

How does the creator feel about branching out into content outside of Rec Room?

The creator is considering branching out into content about other games and topics, like budget tips and recipes, due to the declining support from Rec Room content and the increasing difficulty of sustaining growth within the Rec Room niche. They are exploring these options cautiously, as they fear it might alienate their current audience or spread themselves too thin.

What is the creator’s stance on the future of Rec Room and their own role in it?

The creator is unsure about the future of Rec Room, feeling that it may no longer be as rewarding as it once was. They express a desire for more marketing and better support for video partners but feel that Rec Room is becoming stagnant. This uncertainty, coupled with their struggle to maintain a connection with the evolving audience, has led them to question their future within the game and their YouTube channel.

What impact did the economy and Rec Room's pricing changes have on the creator's income?

The economic downturn, rising prices in everyday life, and Rec Room's introduction of cheaper UGC items led to less spending within the game. While the creator's support account numbers remained steady, their earnings dropped due to the reduced spending by players, which has significantly affected their ability to rely on the partner program as a full-time income.

How does the creator view the shift toward AI content creation and its potential impact on human creators?

The creator expresses concern that AI advancements, like ChatGPT, could lead to content creation being automated, diminishing the role of human creators. They worry that AI could quickly absorb their style and churn out content with less effort, making it harder for human creators to maintain relevance and financial success.

What potential solutions or changes to the Rec Room Video Partner Program does the creator propose?

The creator suggests several improvements: a cost of living raise for video partners to adjust for inflation, a bonus for creators who produce frequent content, the ability to apply for verified status independently of the partner program, and increased advertising for support codes within the game. They also suggest offering more data and analytics to help creators understand where their support is coming from.