What Would You Look for in an Entropia Media Channel?

Being a newbie I search for teaching videos that show me (with added commentary) how to do stuff. Lately I've been interested in finding out how haircuts work, colouring and things like that.

As for what I find interesting... When it comes to teaching videos, or even First Impression of planets, I want both good commentary that is relatively on topic and also shows how to do things or describes what goes on at that particular planet (missions, mobs, TT stuff).

As an example, there is, as far as I could find, only one video on YT that shows how haircuts work and if I remember correctly there were no commentary to it. Other videos from large channels have commentary that goes off topic for several minutes that has nothing to do with the actual video, or even EU.

I found one video showing off Monria yesterday. It was over 1H long with no commentary. Even though I probably could've learned something from it I shut it off after 5 minutes.

Videos with good commentary that is on topic but shows the avatar doing nothing in relation to what is talked about is also not very interesting to me.

 

I think beginner videos are an excellent idea. Short "How-To's" on crafting, mining, and hunting, along with advice on the best approach to each would be extremely helpful to new players.

I love watching vids about Entropia, however, most are just players skilling a craft without much explanation as to "How" they got to that point or the most economic ways to get there.

I've made so many costly errors (due to my own ignorance of course) that would most likely have been avoided if I had been watching "beginner" type videos as opposed to watching veteran players bagging uber-loots.

I appreciate the time you are putting into this Larkin. Count me in as a viewer!

 

I don't mind lengthy videos, but I guess it depends on what they are about, if there's commentary or not and what the commentary is about. I guess the 'likes' will give a better view of what works and what doesn't.
If it's a teaching video maybe include what tools and/or material to use.

ArchAngel has some good points too. Especially the part about crafting and reaching their level etc. I haven't touched crafting other than doing it for the mentoring. :dark:

 

I woudn't mind an up to date videos related to Next Island, been there 3 times and getting a hard time to make stuff work out on missions, not to mention that recently entropedia seems to face some technical dificulties. More important than how to, is "Where To" and "When to" videos. Like Arkadia's TT weapons are fine, but they lack the eco factor, also the only free stuff in the game "sweating" does not give too much return because fair buyers have no real schedule and newbies are often exploited on their weakness to progress in this game.

 

When I looked into Entropia Universe before starting, I was surprised at how many videos of PE/EU are out there.
Though I have to agree; a lot don't contain that much (current) useful/practical information.

Videos that I would watch:

For the prospective new player:
A presentation of each planet's specifics (mobs, weapons, armor, missions, style/story, important locations/TP's, trading hub), so new players can make a choice based on what the different planets have to offer, instead of just on a gamble/at random.

For the starters:
Tutorials about other things besides the standard three basic professions, like:
* Space travel (ships, services, prices, time, lootable PvP, pirates, map)
* PvP, oil/beer rigs (toxic shot, lootable/non lootable, mining, locations, differences)
* Economy (AH, p2p trading, decay, eco, TT, shopkeeper, tax, shops, LA, investments)
* Different 'jobs' to do in EU (healing, runner, shouter, piloting, trader, etc)
* Hands-on explanation of the new UI (show onscreen how to use it)
* Mentoring and disciples (how, why, when, how long, graduation gifts)
* Vehicles (sorts, use, oil, inventory, mounted weapons)
* Deposit-free activities (sweating, fruit/stone walking, oil/beer gathering)
* Events (community event system, company events)
* Tailoring (texture/color/clothes examples, how to)
* Beauty (make up, hair, plastic surgery examples, how to)

For more advanced players:
* Instances (which/how to enter, walkthrough, show results),
* Skills (profession/weapons/ammo choice, skill in/out),
* And some of the previously mentioned subjects, but then on a more advanced level.
Like for example have a beginners and an advanced tutorial on Economy?

- To-the-point tutorials, with relevant information given both vocally and visually, are probably going to appeal more.
Especially to the bewildered starter. For the tutorials aimed at them: perhaps show exactly what you're doing, and explain why.
It might be so obvious to yourself, but for a fresh newbie it doesn't explain much.
E.g. don't just say "put oil in your vehicle", but film yourself putting the oil in.
Just like when making a software tutorial: just show the open windows, and where you click.
Maybe find some non EU playing guinea pigs?

- Hour long videos of people hunting on auto without comment, are not that interesting to me also.
Though it's true that a varied offer could reach a bigger audience.
The instance runs can be entertaining, if the talk is mainly about the instance. I do like game videos that have more than 1 person talking: a conversation can be more interesting to listen to than just a monologue.
Like if you're explaining why/how you do this instance, and have the guest(s) tell his/her side.
Banter can be entertaining, but often (especially in gaming videos) they become too much about the persons themselves. With in-crowd jokes and references, that don't mean anything to the viewer. (Besides ofc channels that already have a solid following, who are in the know of the 'quirks', so will laugh at the mention of a reference like: "barrel!".) Meh, I guess some people are naturally entertaining to listen to.

But for fun/entertaining videos, perhaps videos of more social content could be a nice change of pace?
Like a 'report' from an event or a dance.
Or making portraits of 'famous'/interesting EU avatars/Societies. Like an interview: not just talking while standing still, but following the avatar(s) around, film what (s)he is up to. A 'meeting with' or 'a day in the life of' kind of thing.

- Also (really) short clips of just presenting things like weapons, armors and mobs (in use/action, with stats/price showing) are nice to have as a reference.
For example the video presenting the armors, that's linked on Entropedia, is very helpful to get an idea of how it looks in action (even though the prices mentioned are dated, maybe show MU window?).
Those could garner additional viewers who didn't searched for it on YT.

- Another thing that I find is missing from a lot YT videos in general: a good description in the 'about' section.
E.g. when it was filmed, so videos that get re-uploaded, or uploaded with a delay, can still be put in the proper context by the viewer.
For instance concerning MU, stats, mob locations, and other things that are vulnerable to change.

Also linking: if something specific is mentioned in the video, it's helpful to have the link in the description.
E.g. Posting a link to EntropiaLife, when the video is showing how to log Hofs.
Or when talking about which TT weapon is the most eco to use on Caraboks. Giving a link to that mob and the weapon comparison page on Entropedia.
Yes, it's extra work, but personally I tend to gravitate to channels that also pay attention to those kind of details. (Who knows, I might be one of very few who care about such things: but as long you're asking for opinions...)


Good luck with the restart.
Once it picks up momentum, I'm sure you'll be able to find enough people who don't mind to be filmed showcasing their gear/clothes/looks (preserved for posterity).
And there might even be people with musical talent in EU, who would like to have their music used? Or if it's legally allowed: maybe mix in some old school PE sounds.
Curious to see the results.
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I have watched my fair share of YT vids, especially those related to EU, so here are a few things that I feel can make/break a YT experience.

1) Each video should be no longer than 15-20mins, unless a longer video is specifically required like when running an instance or participating in a hunting event etc.. Even then, I think long videos (45-60mins) should be divided into 15min parts which are placed in a properly organized/labeled playlist.

2) Don't forget to SHOW what you're doing. Never assume your viewer knows any particular thing about EU, unless you specifically gave that information in a previous video. So like May said above, don't just say "put oil in your vtol" you should actually spawn the vtol and drag the oil to it reading the dialog that pops up. Newer players (who have never done these things before) may be curious about every little action you do, and how/why are you doing that? So I guess the point is, that you should be thoughtful and not just rush through interaction with inventory, TT transaction, AH, tools etc... Things that may normally take 1 second and little-no thought, you should stop to explain (at least once).

3) Edit edit edit... Cut out boring parts, standing around, extracting claims, flying in space, and just about anything thing else that takes more that 2 mins and your not killing/clicking/dropping during that time. Just don't forget to explain the edits/cuts (when needed), so the viewer doesn't feel like they are missing something or confused at the end. For example, you can edit out extracting claims, but you MUST show the ore/em in TT at the end of the run. We don't need to see you pull every stone from the ground, but we DO want to know what you got and the return % for the run.

4) Fill out the YT video's About/Description field for each video, without fail. Video should be described briefly, and key information given in the video should be listed in order that it appears including time where that section begins. Also, on videos where you get a global/hof or anything interesting happens, this should be listed along with the time when it appears. Sometimes we just want to watch the swirls! Also, be sure to list appropriate search terms, so that the video can easily be found. I've noticed that a large amount of EU videos on YT do not do this, and so cannot be found via search, instead they can only be found randomly on the sidebar suggested links.

5) Don't be afraid to include your personal opinion, and/or theories about how things work in EU. Don't be afraid to express your opinion, as it will likely be more useful/practical than a theory formed by a new player who lacks understanding. I've heard some crazy ideas from new players over the years, I dunno where they get it from, but I'm assuming 10 year old forum posts or something. haha

6) Be honest! For example. If you are going to TT some loot, don't cut the video there and pretend you save everything like EU is some utopia where you can sell everything you loot on auction for profit, because it's not and you can't. New players should understand this, and be given advice on how to decide what loot they can afford to stockpile and/or is worth saving to sell, and why. Not suggesting you make a bunch of videos of yourself TTing loot, just that should it happen that you did, don't edit it out, instead explain why/what you're doing.

Good luck with the channel! I look forward to watching.

 

I had a really tough time to figure how to use probes, today I laugh a lot about it but I have even dropped a few on the ground. Yeah that kind a stuff is hard to figure when you come from an MMO like the one I used to play, where all actions are tied to a key regardless what you using.

 

I would like to hear each video begin with... "Oh Canada..."!

 

To add to the others posts about showing exactly what you do and why you do it... cut out parts where you happen to fumble around in game. If you were to show colouring of vehicles, don't do what another YT user did and spend 1-2 minutes splitting your buckets of paint to get the right amount or whatever he was doing (no commentary explained what was going on and why). That's just a waste of the viewer's time.

With all these suggestions in this thread I think we set the bar pretty high.