Tips for making Let's Play videos?

[Midnight Dragon 264]

Hey, it's Midnight!

 

I've been watching a lot of those "Let's Play" videos lately, and I'd really like to make my own...so, does anyone have some tips and such for making these kinds of videos?

 

{Note: I won't be showing myself on camera for safety reasons. However, you will still hear me talking.}

[An Old Head 4,816]

The foremost thing to remember is to be engaging. Very few things are worse than watching an LP where you get murmurs and single words/exclamations throughout. Be a talkative version of yourself, and don't try to be a whole personality you're not. People like to watch others have a blast with their game, so appear as if you're really enjoying the LP rather than making your narration sound flat.

 

My best example for this is Markiplier. Even though he shows his face in his most recent videos, he is still really fun to watch just because that's his own character.

Edited April 14, 2013 by Admiral Bobbery ツ

[Midnight Dragon 264]

The foremost thing to remember is to be engaging. Very few things are worse than watching an LP where you get murmurs and single words/exclamations throughout. Be a talkative version of yourself, and don't try to be someone you're not. People like to watch others have a blast with their game, so appear as if you're really enjoying the LP rather than making your narration sound flat.

 

My best example for this is Markiplier. Even though he shows his face in his most recent videos, he is still really fun to watch just because that's his own character.

 

OMG I'm subscribed to Markiplier! He is really fun to watch Actually, he's one of the guys that inspired me to make Let's Play videos...

[Dark Fox 151]

If you're going to do that scripted, over-the-top nonsense, that pewdiepie or similar screaming pillars of online "entertainment" then don't even bother, you're going to get attacked by said fanboys for "copying them" and all in all I personally don't want more of the same crap, it's shallow, simple entertainment that could be done a lot better without the screaming and with actual, funny, commentary.

 

So go for that, be yourself, record it on your first play of the game, no scripts, if you're going to flail your arms like a maniac then do it sparingly, exaggerated gestures to me are like a laugh track on a sitcom, use it sparingly and you won't look like the Big Bang Theory or in your case that wretchedly, unfunny Pewdiepie.

[Finesthour 7,287]

You might want to do "Post" recording. Live commentary is the hardest way to make your videos. Usually people have one or the other talent when making Let's Play's.

 

You are either good at the game but suck at commentating, or suck at the game but amazing at commentating.

 

It all depends what you want to do.

With post commentary, you can write a script and easily polish any flaws you make in the game, and skip through any unneeded material.

[Tex 88]

Let's plays are usually not my cup of tea, but there are a few that can keep me engaged for a little while. The most important thing in my book, is to be funny. But don't try your hardest to be funny, because that's not being funny. Being funny comes naturally, and while playing games, sometimes the most hilarious thing can slip into our minds. Just speak your mind and be yourself, someone is sure to find what you're saying interesting.

 

If you're going to do that scripted, over-the-top nonsense, that pewdiepie or similar screaming pillars of online "entertainment" then don't even bother, you're going to get attacked by said fanboys for "copying them" and all in all I personally don't want more of the same crap, it's shallow, simple entertainment that could be done a lot better without the screaming and with actual, funny, commentary.

 

So go for that, be yourself, record it on your first play of the game, no scripts, if you're going to flail your arms like a maniac then do it sparingly, exaggerated gestures to me are like a laugh track on a sitcom, use it sparingly and you won't look like the Big Bang Theory or in your case that wretchedly, unfunny Pewdiepie.

Script? I don't anyone is capable of scripting something that bad.

 

Oh yea. Don't strive to be like Pewdiepie or anyone like that. Those... Things... Are just...

 

[Yes-Man 597]

My only word of advice is to be funny, but not force it like PewDieTard. It's amazing anyone above the age of 10 finds him funny.

Try to be like AlChestBreach. His humor is a bit scripted, but it's a lot more mature and he only uses it when he finds something funny.

[FatPat 77]

Making a Let's Play is easy, but making a good Let's Play is hard work.

 

First you have to be careful about what games you're playing. RPG's are a big no-no. Those only work in screen shot format. You also have to watch out for really popular games. Youtube is flooded with people LPing stuff like Zelda, Halo, Uncharted, Metal Gear, and what not.

 

Second is your skill at the game. Obviously you need to be good at playing the game. The better you know it, the better it will be to watch.

 

Then there's the commentary. Personally I enjoy when there are multiple people doing the Let's Play. It helps keep the commentary going. Not that doing it alone is impossible, but it's much harder to carry on by yourself. You need to be funny and interesting the entire time. Don't fall into traps like reading dialogue, pointing out the obvious, or singing the music. If you're good at improv then you can do the commentary while you play. Otherwise you might want to do post commentary. That's actually how MST3K did their show. They would watch the videos multiple times and think of humerous remarks to make, then put it together.

 

Like I said, making a good one is hard work.

[Mr. Nutt™ 146]

First of all, you'll need a few programs depending on what games you're going to use (I won't tell on you if you don't pay for these). For example, for modern games I use Fraps to record and Sony Vegas to edit/render it for YouTube. For older games and Flash games, I use Camtasia Studio (though I'm sure you can find plenty of alternatives). As for your microphone, it just needs to be a clear and reasonable quality one.

 

As for style, you could experiment a little as you're starting off. You could do post commentary if you worry too much about "the Let's Play Curse" messing with your gaming ability. Or you can do "live" commentary like I do, I like this style as the reactions are more fresh and genuine than just rewatching the video and saying stuff. Or if you have time, you could try Nerd³'s style by doing mostly one off videos and recording for an hour or so and cutting it down to whatever you consider funny.

 

Another important note is that unless if you've got something to say about a game you don't like, stick to games you enjoy. If you're not having any fun making a Let's Play of a game, then there's no point. Also while picking a game you shouldn't let the fact someone else made a video with that game as everyone has their own take on the game and play style. One last thing, while it isn't important, there's an unwritten rule the Let's Play Wiki says about playing recently released games:

It is also discouraged to Let's Play games just as they are released. While it may be tempting to LP a game right when it is released to be "the first person to LP a game", this should never be your only purpose behind Let's Playing a game. In the LP community there is a general 3 month wait rule from a game's release before you start Let's Playing it.

 

I hope this helps, good luck with the videos!

Edited May 10, 2013 by Mr. Nutt™