Minecraft, for many reasons (obvious or otherwise) remains one of the fastest-growing, most interesting games to make an appearance on YouTube in some fashion. Currently, a YouTube search for the Mojang-developed game will offer machinima, let’s plays, walkthroughs, PvP matches, survival games, prison breaks, and MCMMO, to name just a few.
But why is this so? Why is Minecraft so damn interesting that it’s become the biggest thing for gamers since pizza?
Before we look at other reasons, let’s get the most obvious one out of the way.
Minecraft is just a really, really good game. Everyone and their mother has tried it out, and the majority of those who have given the building title a chance have fallen in love, or become purely addicted, like myself. It’s such a simple concept that almost anyone can become a master after just a couple of hours of play time.
That said, there are plenty of other video games out there offering the same type of experience. So why aren’t they as popular?
Minecraft is very well-suited to YouTube because it’s incredibly diverse
There are so many different game modes within Minecraft that the chances of seeing a single match played in the same exact way more than once is nearly impossible. You will never find someone who has the same PvP style as another YouTuber.
When it comes to building, there are so many different combinations of blocks, and so much creativity budding within the minds of the player community, that you won’t find something exactly similar to what you’ve previously built. Browsing Minecraft videos on YouTube is the perfect way to discover some new ideas and concepts, and receive a bit of inspiration for your own Creative or Survival server.
The worlds, the builds, the various outcomes…Minecraft is just too diverse of a game to not show off what you can accomplish. And since you’ll never be able to build it all or do it all yourself, you can turn to YouTube to enjoy what others create as well.
Not everyone who is interested in Minecraft can or will play it, but they still want to experience it
These days, it seems like you cannot go to school, to work, or even walk down the street without passing by someone who’s talking about how much enjoyed their time in the voxel game and sharing their exploits. If you haven’t played it yet, you probably have the same thought each time you hear someone spouting those sentiments: “Why haven’t I played this game yet?”
But what if you don’t have the time or the money to sink into a new game right now? You can head over to YouTube, where thousands – if not millions – of other players have already posted their thoughts and gameplay. That way, you get the opportunity to explore the wonders the game has to offer without having to toss down any cash on it yourself.
Word of mouth, after all, is one of the best forms of marketing that there is.
Minecraft, at its very core, is a game about being with your friends and building something wonderful. People want that experience, whether they are enjoying it firsthand or they are watching someone else accomplish that feat. It is easy to live vicariously through another gamer while they stream or record. And in a game that’s so open-ended, where you could never ever do or see everything there is to do and see, it’s nice to catch a glimpse of what other people are up to. All of these factors have helped Minecraft become a dominating force on YouTube, and it looks like it’s going to stay that way.
Do you agree? Can you think of any other reasons why Minecraft might be so popular on YouTube? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Published: Oct 10, 2015 07:49 pm