Does anyone here do let

[blademastr]

Been watching them for a few years on YouTube, they look fun and I think I want to try doing a few on some of the rare overlooked games I’ve found here on the site. If anyone has any tips on how to get started or what kind of programs to use I’d like to hear them.

[CrispyChicken]

Not sure on what to use or whatnot but I know that Cameron has a Youtube account and he does Lets Plays. I would suggest you ask him.

Retro Uprising - View Profile: Cam3ron36 (http://www.retrouprising.com/members/cam3ron36/)
CatalystiCamiCation - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa-TuSirZ6tcgsz43r9o3Hw)

[CatalystiCam]

Yeah, I've been wanting to do let's plays for something like 5 years, and I've been doing them for the past 4 or 5 months. I haven't made it very big, but the people that watch me (to my knowledge) enjoy the videos. I've done well considering how hard it is to get out there now and what have you. Most of all, just do them for fun. If you don't enjoy them, and are doing them for fame. A. That won't be easy to get, and B. That's not the right idea, and it'll reflect in your commentary.

Anyways, that's the best advice I can give, but I'm more than happy to help with any questions you may have. I'd mostly be helpeful in youtube tags, descriptions and what have you that helps your videos be more searchable.

As for commentary style, everyone has their own, and every style will have it's fanbase. Just do it for fun like I said.

Any questions, feel free :)

Best 'o' luck bud!

[blademastr]

Thank you for responding. My biggest questions are what program are you using to record your games and did you have to buy an extra microphone to record your voice while playing?

[Squall]

Not sure what you mean about the extra mic... You don't need a mic to record the gameplay - the audio is pulled from your computer/console. Mic is solely for your voice.

I don't record for YouTube, however I have an HD PVR which I use on twitch.tv - using the xsplit software. That allows for local recording as well, however I don't know how good it is.

My HD PVR also came with a copy of the Arcsoft Showbiz capture/recording software, which I have played about with a little. It seemed really simple to use, not sure how all the effects work on it though, so I couldn't really say.

Hopefully that helps.

Also, the only reason I stream rather than YouTube is that YouTube requires you to take time over your videos, while streaming is more of a plug n play style of doing it. Until you learn what you're doing, that is.

[blademastr]

Not sure what you mean about the extra mic... You don't need a mic to record the gameplay - the audio is pulled from your computer/console. Mic is solely for your voice.


What I meant by that was I wasn’t sure if I could use my built in mic to record my voice while recording game play at the same time or if I needed to buy/download something specific to do that.

[Squall]

In that case, yes, you can use your built in mic. Just don't expect it to be of great quality.

Personally, I would recommend using a real recording mic, using a small mixing desk/piece of software and having that full professional kit, however I know that that is very expensive and is more money than you probably want to spend. In which case a Blue Yeti mic or something similar would be what I would recommend.

[CatalystiCam]

yeah, money investments for this can be quite a lot. A good mic will cost you quite a bit. Mine was 110 dollars, and it's still not perfect. I'd advise going after a stand mic, rather than the headset in the case of saving cash. Getting the headset with it is also paying for speakers rather than just the mic.

I use Camtasia Studio to edit, which will run you quite a bit. It was 70 when I got it, but it's gone up to 100 or 200 since, something insane like that.

Skipping the step of getting editing software, you can do livestreams on twitch or other places. This also requires software, but something like Xsplit can be free, it's just better quality on the full paid version.

Depending on whether you're planning on recording from your tv to your computer, or just off your computer, you either need a capture card (for tv), or screen recording software (for your computer). I know Camtasia has a pretty in depth screen recorder as well.

What I use:

Mic: Logitech h800 wireless rechargable USB Headset - $110
Capture Card: Diamond VC500 One Touch Capture SD Recording - $50
Editing: Camtasia Studio 8 - $70 (now $200)
Computer Capture: Nothing right now, Camtasia when I get my new computer.

So, it's really not a cheap process. However, you can use a built in mic, get a free screen capture program, manycam comes to mind, and edit in something like movie maker/use free xsplit for livestreams, but the quality won't be the best. Most built in mic's are not of a good quality. Manycam is not good quality either.

Edit: My capture card is Standard Definition, meaning I can't record in HD, but in my case, where I'm not playing any HD games anyways, it doesn't really matter. Standard Definition Capture cards are a really good price now because everyone gets the HD capture cards, which I may do eventually.

[CrispyChicken]

@Cam- If you use a headset, how did you get your friends' commentary recorded as well when doing co-op stuff?

[CatalystiCam]

@Cam- If you use a headset, how did you get your friends' commentary recorded as well when doing co-op stuff?

Fold my headset up, prop it up as a stand mic, and then boost the volume later. It's multipurpose you see :P

Ideally for those situations everyone should have there own mic, or you should have a good studio mic. Something I'm looking into (studio mic that is). I don't like headsets.

[CrispyChicken]

Fold my headset up, prop it up as a stand mic, and then boost the volume later. It's multipurpose you see :P

Ideally for those situations everyone should have there own mic, or you should have a good studio mic. Something I'm looking into (studio mic that is). I don't like headsets.

Cool just something that came up when I read your post XD I figured something as much. A little makeshift work :p

[CatalystiCam]

Cool just something that came up when I read your post XD I figured something as much. A little makeshift work :p

Yeah, pretty much haha. Although, like I said, the audio comparison between me wearing a headset, and a headset acting as a group mic for 3 people has a difference. So, ideally a studio mic would be best. However, the quality is still good enough with what I'm doing to be willing to put it out there. It's a matter of preference.

[Squall]

in terms of friends commentary, I've don that in the past - Skype is a wonderful thing, and using virtual audio cables, you can determine what sound goes where - I managed to separate my game audio, my skype audio, and my mic audio, then forward them all to appropriate places.

Just a thought.

But yeah, if you want professional equipment, be prepared to cough up professional cash. After scouring teh interwebz, I managed to nab an Hauppauge HD PVR Gaming edition from amazon that was ex display, so I got it for half the usual price. In terms of mic, I don't have a mic per se, but I use the mic on my webcam, which again, is a cheap creative livecam one.

However, I've been looking to get a professional PA anyway, so getting a small desk and a mic wouldn't be out of the picture for me. It all depends on what you are doing and what you want to do.

But when push comes to shove, I just bit the bullet and did it. Until I started doing something, it was all up in the air. Start with what you can - if you wanna do console stuff, but can't afford capture card, try and get hold of fraps - decent piece of screen cap software for a good price, and just roll with it.

Once you start it'll be much easier to see how it'll play out.

[CatalystiCam]

But when push comes to shove, I just bit the bullet and did it. Until I started doing something, it was all up in the air. Start with what you can - if you wanna do console stuff, but can't afford capture card, try and get hold of fraps - decent piece of screen cap software for a good price, and just roll with it.

Once you start it'll be much easier to see how it'll play out.

Pretty much the best thing to follow before making any major money commitments.

[Seahawk]

I've got one, of sorts. All gameplay, no talking.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Seahawk0027/videos

My setup is kind of high end, but I'm pretty knowledgeable about recording tech.

[Squall]

I dont know much about visual editing stuff, but I'm right at home with audio.

Helps to be a sound engineer though :P

[Seahawk]

I wasn't satisfied with the audio inputs on the video cards so I have a dedicated sound card for audio. Takes in analog cables and optical S/PDIF fiber at up to 24bit samples at 96KHz. Granted, that's a bit overkill (none of my consoles go past 48KHz) but plugging in anything into the S/PDIF input and having it come out through the sound system makes it sound amazingly clear.

[Squall]

yeah, that's nothinng. Try a good quality studio mic, allen & heath zed range mixer, and you've got what I wish I had :P for YT/Twitch purposes, anyway.

[blademastr]

Thanks for the advice guys, got my first vid up. Was having issues recording commentary so for the time being I’m taking Seahawk’s approach of game play only.
Super metroid playthough pt1 - YouTube

[CatalystiCam]

dang, when did you get to 700 subs, seahawk? Guess it's all the gaming skills :P

[Seahawk]

To me, honestly, that seems like a fairly low number for being on YT and uploading vids actively for four years now.

707 subscribers. 657,760 views.

Not that I'm bitter or anything.

[CatalystiCam]

haha, I have not nearly as much time at it, but...

4 months - 168 videos - 41 subscribers - 5 000 views.

Hard to surface from the lot of good and bad people doing the same thing it seems. My Chrono Trigger, Kirby Super Star, and Newer SMBW series are at least making the front page of searches now. Mostly since CT & Kirby are blind, and Newer SMBW isn't common.

Bottom line, gotta enjoy what you're doing, because it's hard to get much from it.

In the case of your videos, I've watched quite a few of them, even a few of the series as a whole way back when, and they are well done. What you do is a lot more challenging. Uploading quality footage of a game your attempting something amazing at, and accomplishing it.

Additionally. Didn't know you played (and mastered) Monkey Ball, also didn't know there was an arcade port. Whenever I try to get friends to play that game with me, I just destroy. Guess it's not a common game to have played extensively (GC one that is)

[Seahawk]

Hard to surface from the lot of good and bad people doing the same thing it seems. My Chrono Trigger, Kirby Super Star, and Newer SMBW series are at least making the front page of searches now. Mostly since CT & Kirby are blind, and Newer SMBW isn't common.

Bottom line, gotta enjoy what you're doing, because it's hard to get much from it.

You don't get big on YT doing game videos. There are too many people doing it, and most people are interested in the newest and latest games, which I'm not really interested in.
You can get picked up by a partner network too. You could probably make a little bit of money that way. I've been contacted by three in the past few months. Getting some cash flow that way seems kind of tempting, but at the same time I feel like I'd lose something if I took money for it =/.

Additionally. Didn't know you played (and mastered) Monkey Ball, also didn't know there was an arcade port. Whenever I try to get friends to play that game with me, I just destroy. Guess it's not a common game to have played extensively (GC one that is)

I wouldn't call myself a master at it, since I can't beat it yet (on Expert anyways). I had no idea there was an arcade port of it either. After playing it, to be honest I was kind of sunk that Sega made so many changes for the GC version. The arcade soundtrack is a lot better. Full Moon Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJJmDShxE-s) and Heavy Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN3uIVrUvCI) are awesome.

The Monkey Ball videos are pretty popular compared to most everything else I upload. I wonder why.

[CrispyChicken]

Thanks for the advice guys, got my first vid up. Was having issues recording commentary so for the time being I’m taking Seahawk’s approach of game play only.
Super metroid playthough pt1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qupJAVYPccQ)

Awesome dude! Good luck, hopefully you'll become a big Youtube star someday XD

[CatalystiCam]

You don't get big on YT doing game videos. There are too many people doing it, and most people are interested in the newest and latest games, which I'm not really interested in.
You can get picked up by a partner network too. You could probably make a little bit of money that way. I've been contacted by three in the past few months. Getting some cash flow that way seems kind of tempting, but at the same time I feel like I'd lose something if I took money for it =/.



I wouldn't call myself a master at it, since I can't beat it yet (on Expert anyways). I had no idea there was an arcade port of it either. After playing it, to be honest I was kind of sunk that Sega made so many changes for the GC version. The arcade soundtrack is a lot better. Full Moon Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJJmDShxE-s) and Heavy Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN3uIVrUvCI) are awesome.

The Monkey Ball videos are pretty popular compared to most everything else I upload. I wonder why.

Yeah, pretty much, like I said, why you gotta enjoy what you do, is the key factor. Yeah, I don't think I'd want to partner either. Maybe at some point, but I don't know. I know what you mean.

As for monkeyball, they may be popular because a lot of people don't play them enough to get good at them, and the games are generally really hard. How exactly this was marketed to kids, I'll never get.

I think it's one of the few games, I can actually say I'm on par with you from what I've seen. I can't beat expert either, but I've made it far. That is in monkeyball 1. In monkeyball 2 I've 100% the game, including this ridiculous level:

Super Monkey Ball 2 Arthropod trick/shortcut - YouTube

I've beat it 3 times before, the way shown there actually. They expect you to wait it out on the 4 rings that the arachnid is randomly rotating, while dodging his feet, while hopping over the rings when the goal finally appears. So, yeah. I'd rather just suicide over the edge and try to steer myself into the goal. :P

Really underrated games either way. I recommend checking out the second game if you liked the first.

[Kong]

If you add a cometary track over it you can enable ads at Youtube and make a few bucks if you become popular enough.

[blademastr]

Hold up……..your telling me that people that do lets plays actually get money for doing them!:bulgy-eyes: I thought they were just doing them for fun.

[Seahawk]

Monkey ball 2 snip

I've got the second game too (free, my cousins left it at my house when we moved). It is much harder than the first, and honestly I don't like it as much. It's got way too many gimmicks as obstacles, whereas in the first game it is just you vs. the floor.
Me and my brother roughed through story mode. It was hard.
Expert mode is 50 stages. I think I reach stage 12.....if you don't continue you get the 10 Expert extra stages. If you still don't continue you play the 10 Master stages. If you STILL don't continue then you play the final 10 Master Extra stages. It's a long road, a bit too intimidating for me.

Hold up……..your telling me that people that do lets plays actually get money for doing them!http://www.retrouprising.com/images/smilies/bulgy-eyes.png I thought they were just doing them for fun.

I think you'll find most game players are doing it with ads and getting money, either on their own or a big partner network.

If you add a cometary track over it you can enable ads at Youtube and make a few bucks if you become popular enough.

You can monetize any video you upload on YT now.
For game videos, doing so without the backing of a partner network is dangerous as it puts you liable for copyright strikes from the game companies, if you get tagged by the Content ID system. Three strikes and your account is terminated. There is no support and no appeals process.

[CatalystiCam]

You can monetize any video you upload on YT now.
For game videos, doing so without the backing of a partner network is dangerous as it puts you liable for copyright strikes from the game companies, if you get tagged by the Content ID system. Three strikes and your account is terminated. There is no support and no appeals process.

Really? I've had 2 videos marked or whatever before, they just ask me to agree that I used content from said company, and then it's all good and fine. I believe the company in question then takes the revenue. Or something. Either way I looked into it, and it wasn't a strike or nothing in my case. Just an acknowledgement of use. They can take my revenue of a 20-view average :P If they even get any. I don't monetize.

I think you'll find most game players are doing it with ads and getting money, either on their own or a big partner network.

Most of the big ones. There isn't many of the smaller ones doing it. I think it calculated out that I'd make around 170 bucks a year if I partnered.

I've got the second game too (free, my cousins left it at my house when we moved). It is much harder than the first, and honestly I don't like it as much. It's got way too many gimmicks as obstacles, whereas in the first game it is just you vs. the floor.
Me and my brother roughed through story mode. It was hard.

I kind of see what you mean now that you point it out. You referring to levels like Giant comb and stuff, right? the ones where the challenge is weaving through a giant spinning comb? I don't know. I don't find much difference between the two. I think 2 is harder at a lot of points, I'll agree, yeah. As for which one I like better. Overall: 2. For the main mode: 1. 2 had a lot of fun mini games like Target as well (2's target was better than 1's in my opinion). Then again 1 had the better race mode. Good games overall. I got one on my phone too.