Social media analytics firm Tubular has released its “The State of Social in H2 2024” report, showing that YouTube’s gameplay viewership reached 6 billion monthly views in June 2024. 

This surge represents a significant increase from the 4 billion monthly views observed in late 2022, highlighting a growing appetite for gaming content on the platform.

Gameplay content showcasing in-game footage and demonstrating how video games are played has become increasingly popular among YouTube audiences. 

Viewers are drawn to this long-form content, which can sometimes extend for hours, as it offers opportunities to learn tips, tricks, and hacks for popular games while building connections with favorite creators and surrounding communities.

Tubular’s data indicates that the rise in gaming viewership has been gradual but consistent. 

After a brief spike during the holiday season, viewership steadily climbed throughout 2023, reaching around 5 billion monthly views before hitting the 6 billion milestone in June 2024.

Source: Tubular

YouTube Creators

In 2024, YouTube creators from the United States garnered the most views in gaming.

However, creators from other countries, including India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Philippines, have contributed significantly to the growth of gaming content.

The report notes that gaming creators are among the biggest influencers across the social media universe, suggesting that the surge in gaming viewership may be partly attributed to these content creators’ growing influence and reach.

Top-Performing Topics

Tubular’s analysis of top-performing topics in gaming videos reveals that leading video game brands like Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, Roblox, and Fortnite continue to dominate the space. 

Additionally, popular topics such as ‘simulation,’ ‘gameplay,’ and walkthroughs indicate the types of content that resonate most with viewers.

Source: Tubular

The report also highlights an emerging trend in gaming content: the rise of ‘machinima.’ 

This term, combining ‘machine’ and ‘cinema,’ refers to curated entertainment series featuring animated narratives that mimic the look and feel of popular video games. 

A notable example is the ‘Skibidi Toilet’ series, which has gained significant traction among younger audiences.

Source: Tubular

According to the report, the optimal video duration for gaming content on YouTube is between 1 and 2 minutes. 

However, the report notes that any day and time seem equally effective for posting.

The gaming category’s growth extends beyond YouTube. On TikTok, gaming ranks as the fifth-largest creator genre.

The full report is available here.