I’ve been thinking a lot about how people prefer to consume content. For example, if you’re seeking opinions about a game (reviews), do you prefer to read, watch, or listen? Or some combination of the three? (I like all three.)
The same goes for considering a preorder or crowdfunding campaign. When you scroll through a project page to learn about the product, which content are you drawn towards the most: Infographics, videos, written quotes, gifs, the full rulebook, etc? (I like infographics the most.)
For games, when you’re ready to learn how to play, what’s your preferred method: Read the rulebook, watch a how-to-play video, use a tutorial (printed in the game or digital like Dized), play a digital version first, or learn from a friend? (I typically read the rulebook and watch a video in either order.)
I’m trying to remind myself that the way I prefer to consume content may be quite different than the way YOU prefer to consume content. That’s why I offer multiple platforms (this blog, YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram, Twitter, podcast, and e-newsletter), but there’s typically only one format for each type of content.
There’s one exception, though: A few years ago, a Stonemaier ambassador offered to convert my Facebook livecasts and top 10 videos to an audio podcast (Apple and Podbean). If you want to watch them, you can; if you prefer to listen, you can do that too.
So as of today, I’m going to expand that concept a bit on a trial basis: This blog will also be available as a podcast. In fact, Monday’s post is already available in that format–I recorded it last night, and Joshua uploaded it here.
I’ll try this for a little bit to see how it goes. I’m literally just reading the post, so it only takes a few minutes. I’ll wait until the afternoon of each day I write a post (Monday and Thursday) in case I make small changes to the post after publication. If you have any feedback about this approach, please let me know.
What are your preferred formats to consume reviews, research a project, and learn games?
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Unrelated but recent is a nice 30-minute chat I had with Heath Robinson on his YouTube channel about entrepreneurship. You can check out the video here.
Also read:
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12 Comments on “What Is Your Preferred Way to Consume Content?”
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For information, I prefer to get something easy to skip around in, go back and recheck parts of, etc – so I default to reading over the more linear forms of presentation like audio-visual.
I can also generally read faster than people speak, so can absorb information more rapidly from text.
Watching video or listening to audio can give me a broad impression, but for the nitty-gritty details, reading works better for me.
Reviews: video: Youtube, text: BGG ratings and text reviews. I like the ratings because there are more casual opinions. I like some text reviews because I can skim. Even though video reviews have chapters I still have to sit there and listen
for morsels of information I’m interested in.
Research project: Kickstarter page, BGG page for images and forums that might bring up important issues and there may be responses from the designer/publisher, Youtube – but most don’t offer critiques – I’m mostly just looking to see how the game looks like with respect to the table and people, or gameplay – I skim videos to “hear” the sounds of the players – are they quietly thinking most of the video or laughing and talking excitedly.
Learn a game: I’ve been learning from the rulebook so I can review games with a non-biased opinion and I know the ins-and-outs instead of relying on word-of-mouth. Rulebooks are a barrier to playing because so many are written poorly. So sometimes I learn from Youtube which also take up time. I’ve found that sometimes video instruction gives some tips that wouldn’t be in a rulebook for clarity. One video with Elizabeth Hargrave, for setting up Wingspan, she said just get 5 unique items – cards or food – and I found this small change in thinking helps save some time.
I’ve also become less interested in games with difficulty >2/5 because I have a feeling a lot of games are “complex” to learn because of a rulebook that isn’t polished. There should be an industry or guild or something for rulebook writers and publishers should invest in it. Rulebook writers should have their names on the rulebooks, because sometimes a rulebook makes or breaks a game.
I don’t do podcasts except for Levar Burton Reads. But I listen to YT videos most of the time anyway. I don’t know why, but for no reason in particular, I associate podcasts with being more intellectual and classy.
Thank you so much for trying this new podcast format, Jamey. Podcasts and audiobooks at high speed are my favorite way to consume anything without graphics. These will be accompanying me during trail runs and at-home workouts.
For learning how to play, I like to watch a video demonstration of the rulebook, and then read the rulebook afterwards, filling in details, and cementing the rules in my mind before I teach them to someone else. Rodney Smith does this best—I’ve learned all Stonemaier games with his help, using this process.
An online rulebook with video/GIF examples interspersed with text would be even better. The best software manuals have taken that approach. I’d rather have a “rulebook” just be a QR code link to an always-updated one of those, which then pops up on an iPad. But without that available, I like to have the memory of a video demonstration playing in my mind when reading, with the option to replay confusing video segments if necessary.
I like video for Reviews and fast videos (5-15min) for How to Play basics. I almost never view game videos much longer than 15min. Once we like the reviews and have the basics, we use the rulebook for setup and verification.
For Kickstarter, I’m most drawn to the gifs showing the product, and the SHORT (one-three paragraphs) summary of the game. After I’m interested I get curious about the stretch goals and add-ons.
We like to use the rule book to setup and get everything ready to roll, then watch a video to learn how to play, and then we keep the book nearby for clarifications.
Then, of course, there’s the ipad in case you need to hit the forums for clarification!
I exclusively consume textual content.
Both Audio and Video content are too slow to consume, even at x2 speed.
I’m naturally a skim-reader, so I enjoy being able to skip right to the part I care about.
I don’t retain information as well when watching someone speak, or when people read TO me, I do much better when I’ve read something myself. So I’m the rules reader for our family. I’ve never tried a tutorial, but we just consider the first game to be the tutorial anyway. For game reviews, I only watch a video review for images of the game on the table in the real world, OR if I can’t get a good review in text format. OR if the reviewers are compelling. I’ll watch a SUSD video of a game I know I don’t want, just cause it’s them. :) For research, I want lots of pictures of components, and text about what the game is like. So Kickstarter pages are SOOOO attractive to me, and because of that I’ve been backing a lot of games. Jamie, the way you put out all your designer diaries for a new game is one of my favorite things about the way you release products. I don’t understand why more companies don’t do that.
Thanks Jer! I’m glad you enjoy the design diaries. :) Perhaps I’ll start adding them in audio format too.
I prefer podcast for reviews, then written reviews. I almost never watch videos as I don’t have the patience. I usually listen to your videos in podcast format, but these blog posts are so short I think I may l just keep reading them.
I always learn a game by reading the rulebook and physically setting up the game at the same time. I used to watch videos but I don’t usually do so unless I want a rules clarification.
When I check out a crowdfunding campaign it’s always this order: price, shipping cost, cool kickstarter exclusives that I can’t get in retail, genuine reviews where reputable reviewers say ‘I absolutely loved this game’ as opposed to ‘If this sort of thing interests you then you may want to check this out’.
For most content I prefer videos. How to play… reviews…watching the game being played…ect. same for Kickstarters and game found…I use YT channels like Shelf Clutter, Tantrum House, Quackalope, and Boardgameco
It’s just easier for me to absorb the content. I struggle reading a lot of text so I always try to go for video content first.
I am a rules reader and then play a solo game against myself before introducing to my wife and kids and then game groupl
For reviews I prefer videos but I am very specific about it. Ideally it should be:
– two people exchanging (because it is more dynamic, they can compare view and understanding of a game, it is often more complete)
– 15 to 20min max, that is the good length for me to stay focus on it
Research: forums.
I get to know some people tastes on forum and can relate to what they like or not when they speak about new games.
Learn the games: reading.
I am a big fan of podcasts (mainly about movies and society) but so far I haven’t found any that I like about boardgames. On the ones I tried, people are less informed than me on the latest news,make false statements and I don’t learn anything, I don’t know if because it is more “direct” they don’t put as much thinking or verification while when they write of film,…