Poll of the Day > When googling help for games nowadays, why is first result usually a video?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ask for something simple, like where to go next after getting an item or completing a specific task...and usually the first result you get directed to is a play through video that's like 30 minutes with only 3 or 4 seconds that you have to scrub the video for showing the actual thing you're asking about.

Oh and you get the obnoxious playthrough guys screaming and overdramatic voiceovers on top of that free of charge, you're welcome.

Why is this horrible trend a thing nowadays?
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Because they get compensated when they monetise a video, not with forum advice.
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It's almost 2019 ffs. Is this really that surprising?
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90% of the time, videos are the best way to answer questions in games these days, unless a Wiki exists for that game that contains the info you need.

I almost never use the FAQs on this site for any purposes anymore, as every time I try it usually winds up being an exercise in frustration because they never answer the questions I have. And the game forums here or on places like Reddit are even worse, because 30+ people will fall over themselves to answer questions you didn't ask, offer advice you have no interest in, or insult you for asking the question in the first place, yet no one will bother to answer the question you actually asked.

Even if you wind up having to go on YouTube and have to skim your way through a video to the point you need, you're usually still better off doing that trying to sift through everything else.


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Kyuubi4269 posted...

Because they get compensated when they monetise a video, not with forum advice.

Zangulus posted...

Because google owns YouTube and makes money from those clicks.

These.

DrYuya posted...

Oh and you get the obnoxious playthrough guys screaming and overdramatic voiceovers on top of that free of charge, you're welcome.

"HEY GUYS, WHAT'S UP?!"
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Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?
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If only there were a website dedicated to walkthroughs and faqs for videogames that you could use when you needed help.
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ParanoidObsessive posted...

And the game forums here or on places like Reddit are even worse, because 30+ people will fall over themselves to answer questions you didn't ask, offer advice you have no interest in, or insult you for asking the question in the first place, yet no one will bother to answer the question you actually asked.

Maybe youre asking wrong. Whenever I ask a question on here or Reddit, I get direct answers. I asked a lot, sometimes...

GanglyKhan posted...

DrYuya posted...

Oh and you get the obnoxious playthrough guys screaming and overdramatic voiceovers on top of that free of charge, you're welcome.

"HEY GUYS, WHAT'S UP?!"

I read that in Dashies voice...
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kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

Depending on the question, it could take more or less time to skim a huge FAQ rather than skimming a video. Just depends on the video, FAQ, and exact nature of you question...
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I dont experience this, but then again I dont use google
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kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

I prefer reading.
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Usually a video or a useless article from IGN/Kotaku/other useless companies that gives terrible hints and tips.
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kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

Sarcasm, but I got to believe the "it's 2019, get with the times and just enjoy these videos!" crowd honestly believes this....so then it's not really good sarcasm anymore.
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I go out of my way to find written guides for things if I need it. Fuck your 15 minute video. Especially if it's a series. God help you if you're trying to get a bunch of collectables.
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DrYuya posted...

kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

Sarcasm, but I got to believe the "it's 2019, get with the times and just enjoy these videos!" crowd honestly believes this....so then it's not really good sarcasm anymore.

You could always scrub the video. And may be able to find something faster that way...
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LinkPizza posted...

Maybe youre asking wrong. Whenever I ask a question on here or Reddit, I get direct answers.

Yeah, sure, blame the victim!

But honestly, it's hard to use that logic when you ask something basically akin to "How do you do X?", and the next thirty posts are "You shouldn't do X", "X is stupid", "Y is way better", "Personally I prefer Z", "Why would anyone want to do X?", "No one should ever care about X", "Not doing X is totally fine, don't worry about X", or any number of similar non-answers that basically just involve people shitting their opinions into the topic in the most unhelpful way possible.

Which then becomes doubly annoying if you're on a faster moving board or subreddit where you have to keep your topic bumped for people to see it, and where the multitude of other bad answers may discourage people from bothering to come in and answer it themselves (on Reddit, at least, topics definitely have a half-life).

I got to the point where I'd basically preface questions with "I'm not asking for opinions about why I shouldn't do this, or what alternatives there are, I just want to know how to do THIS", and you'd still get a dozen people not answering the actual question.

Then I'd go on YouTube and type in "How do you do X" and get a dozen videos people made showing you exactly how to do X. Half of which didn't even have the annoying voice-overs people are complaining about, and half of which you could easily mute anyway. Or I'd type in the name of the game and +"wiki" into a search engine, find the wiki for the game, and look up whatever it was I needed in about 30 seconds.


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As others have said because money.
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ParanoidObsessive posted...

But honestly, it's hard to use that logic when you ask something basically akin to "How do you do X?", and the next thirty posts are "You shouldn't do X", "X is stupid", "Y is way better", "Personally I prefer Z", "Why would anyone want to do X?", "No one should ever care about X", "Not doing X is totally fine, don't worry about X", or any number of similar non-answers that basically just involve people shitting their opinions into the topic in the most unhelpful way possible.

That one is easy to deal with. Especially if you know how people are going to answer. Sometimes, you might want to say stuff like, I know you dont have to do X and stuff, but I just want to know how to do it. The reason I would say stuff like that is because they are trying to help on their own way. But explaining that you are looking for a certain answer earlier can help eliminate those post. But some people will still be willing to help. Or explain very briefly why you want to do X. Something like that...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Which then becomes doubly annoying if you're on a faster moving board or subreddit where you have to keep your topic bumped for people to see it, and where the multitude of other bad answers may discourage people from bothering to come in and answer it themselves (on Reddit, at least, topics definitely have a half-life).

That one is harder to deal with. It depends on how fast the board is moving. A way to bump it while adding something of value is to reply to different people with different replies. Whether its I tried this, or explaining to someone why you want to do it a certain way or whatever...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I got to the point where I'd basically preface questions with "I'm not asking for opinions about why I shouldn't do this, or what alternatives there are, I just want to know how to do THIS", and you'd still get a dozen people not answering the actual question.

Sometimes, thats just what you have to do... And youll always have the people who want to answer another way. Just ignore it. Usually, someone will have your answer...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Then I'd go on YouTube and type in "How do you do X" and get a dozen videos people made showing you exactly how to do X. Half of which didn't even have the annoying voice-overs people are complaining about, and half of which you could easily mute anyway. Or I'd type in the name of the game and +"wiki" into a search engine, find the wiki for the game, and look up whatever it was I needed in about 30 seconds.

Sometimes, YouTube is the way to go. I use it for certain things a lot. Sometimes, before I even ask. Even on long walkthroughs, O can scrub to find it fast. Im not even one to mind the voice-overs... Especially if they give tips.
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LinkPizza posted...

DrYuya posted...

kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

Sarcasm, but I got to believe the "it's 2019, get with the times and just enjoy these videos!" crowd honestly believes this....so then it's not really good sarcasm anymore.

You could always scrub the video. And may be able to find something faster that way...

True enough. Of course with a giant text document you could just as easily use a ToC if there is one, or CTRL+F.

But honestly my sarcastic comment mainly comes from my frustration trying to find tutorials for certain software. Often times I want to learn how to do something very specific which I know could be summed up in a few lines of text, but instead everyone wants to make videos just because they can I guess. I find that videos don't make good reference material either because you have to watch at the pace of the video.
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LinkPizza posted...

That one is easy to deal with. Especially if you know how people are going to answer. Sometimes, you might want to say stuff like, I know you dont have to do X and stuff, but I just want to know how to do it.

Yes, But like I said:

ParanoidObsessive posted...

I got to the point where I'd basically preface questions with "I'm not asking for opinions about why I shouldn't do this, or what alternatives there are, I just want to know how to do THIS", and you'd still get a dozen people not answering the actual question.

So I'm doing exactly what you're saying, and still having the exact same issue.



LinkPizza posted...

Sometimes, thats just what you have to do... And youll always have the people who want to answer another way. Just ignore it. Usually, someone will have your answer...

But that's my point - that isn't what you HAVE to do. Because even when you DO do it, you're still generally not going to get the answer you're looking for, while there are better places to get the answer faster, more efficiently, and more accurately elsewhere.


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kind9 posted...

LinkPizza posted...

DrYuya posted...

kind9 posted...

Because it's more convenient to watch a 20 minute video for something you could learn in 20 seconds of reading. Who the hell wants to read?

Sarcasm, but I got to believe the "it's 2019, get with the times and just enjoy these videos!" crowd honestly believes this....so then it's not really good sarcasm anymore.

You could always scrub the video. And may be able to find something faster that way...

True enough. Of course with a giant text document you could just as easily use a ToC if there is one, or CTRL+F.

But honestly my sarcastic comment mainly comes from my frustration trying to find tutorials for certain software. Often times I want to learn how to do something very specific which I know could be summed up in a few lines of text, but instead everyone wants to make videos just because they can I guess. I find that videos don't make good reference material either because you have to watch at the pace of the video.

Some of the videos are bad, yes. But, most of the time, someone has made a more direct video. Also, I think CTRL+F is awesome, but it definitely depends on what youre looking for. It could be something somewhat common or something that appears multiple times. It could also be something that you wouldnt know how to search for. Like having to find a specific item, but you dont know what its called. I think having both option available is the best way to go about it. Or all, technically. Having regular faqs, the boards, Reddit, YouTube videos, wikis, etc. make it easier to have multiple ways to find out what you want to know. That being said, whether videos should be first is eh. But google has been doing better about it by putting the videos in a line at the top. Scroll down a little to just see the regular results. Did that earlier today. Haha...
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When I made this post, it was to point out the failings of videos as a good solution for game help.

And they are...the reasons they are inferior to written guides are numerous, I dont doubt I could make a list like others gave if I really had to.

But as bad as they are...videos blow posting for help yourself out of the damn water. Actually making a post and waiting for a response which may not even be correct...yeah no...that crap is feeble as hell. What if your game is obscure and nobody posts on any of its message boards anymore? And again...and most important...what if the only responder gets everything wrong or us simply a toxic hateful child? Let's not make it sound like a good thing to rely on such people okay?

If the other choice is posting for it myself, yeah in that case I'll just take the shitty video. But still, prefer to not have to do either.
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DrYuya posted...

When I made this post, it was to point out the failings of videos as a good solution for game help.

And they are...the reasons they are inferior to written guides are numerous, I dont doubt I could make a list like others gave if I really had to.

But as bad as they are...videos blow posting for help yourself out of the damn water. Actually making a post and waiting for a response which may not even be correct...yeah no...that crap is feeble as hell. What if your game is obscure and nobody posts on any of its message boards anymore? And again...and most important...what if the only responder gets everything wrong or us simply a toxic hateful child? Let's not make it sound like a good thing to rely on such people okay?

If the other choice is posting for it myself, yeah in that case I'll just take the shitty video. But still, prefer to not have to do either.

Sure. If thats how you feel. And yorre right. They could get everything wrong. But they also might not. And give good tips. I do it when I cant find a guide or a video. Or if I find a video that doesnt explain anything. So far, the answers have been right/good. But I usually prefer guides/videos depending on the issue. But posting a question isnt bad at all. Again, depending on the issue...

Of course, all three depend on who the other person is (who wrote the guide, who made the video, who the posters answering are, etc)...
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LinkPizza posted...

Some of the videos are bad, yes. But, most of the time, someone has made a more direct video. Also, I think CTRL+F is awesome, but it definitely depends on what youre looking for. It could be something somewhat common or something that appears multiple times. It could also be something that you wouldnt know how to search for. Like having to find a specific item, but you dont know what its called. I think having both option available is the best way to go about it. Or all, technically. Having regular faqs, the boards, Reddit, YouTube videos, wikis, etc. make it easier to have multiple ways to find out what you want to know.

If all I can find is a video then of course I'm still grateful. Sometimes they even write the instructions out in the description so I don't have to watch the video. I just think it's always easier/quicker to skim through a document than to skim through a video. FAQs, forums and wikis are really all you need. I would say videos are more suitable for entertainment or long training courses. For me, anyway.
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kind9 posted...

LinkPizza posted...

Some of the videos are bad, yes. But, most of the time, someone has made a more direct video. Also, I think CTRL+F is awesome, but it definitely depends on what youre looking for. It could be something somewhat common or something that appears multiple times. It could also be something that you wouldnt know how to search for. Like having to find a specific item, but you dont know what its called. I think having both option available is the best way to go about it. Or all, technically. Having regular faqs, the boards, Reddit, YouTube videos, wikis, etc. make it easier to have multiple ways to find out what you want to know.

If all I can find is a video then of course I'm still grateful. Sometimes they even write the instructions out in the description so I don't have to watch the video. I just think it's always easier/quicker to skim through a document than to skim through a video. FAQs, forums and wikis are really all you need. I would say videos are more suitable for entertainment or long training courses. For me, anyway.

Tbh, I kind of feel the same way as your first sentence. But even more broad. For some stuff, as long as I can find any info, Im grateful. Haha. And I do like documents for some stuff. Like when I was trying to understand some of the (thousands of) items in Binding of Isaac, or stuff in Crypt of the NecroDancer, wikis were definitely the way to go. Videos might be better for things like trying to learn how to beat a boss or tough enemy in certain games. But I do agree that sometimes, just reading something is better is certain cases, for sure.
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Mead posted...

I dont use google

Look how edgy mead is everyone.
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Mead posted...

I dont experience this, but then again I dont use google

Don't say that too loud, Mead. Google might be listening. Always watching...
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Its not as bad when you click on a forum like gamefaqs. Someone before you asked something similar and some asshole tells the asker to google it.
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Blorfenburger posted...

Its not as bad when you click on a forum like gamefaqs. Someone before you asked something similar and some asshole tells the asker to google it.

Thats surprising. For the amount of question I have asked and looked up here, I have never seen that. Haha.
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simply, because google owns youtube
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ParanoidObsessive posted...

90% of the time, videos are the best way to answer questions in games these days, unless a Wiki exists for that game that contains the info you need.

More like 5%. Simple text directions are better the majority of the time.
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Revelation34 posted...

ParanoidObsessive posted...

90% of the time, videos are the best way to answer questions in games these days, unless a Wiki exists for that game that contains the info you need.

More like 5%. Simple text directions are better the majority of the time.

Not always. Depends on whats around. Reading can be confusing in certain areas. Empty areas, mazes, areas that have lots of repeating areas. Its probably closer to 50-50. Plus, with reading, it can take longer if you keep trying to remember your place and stuff... And that just for text directions for finding where you are. It can be much easier to see how someone does stuff like taking down an enemy. Sometimes, it doesnt make sense without seeing it...

But it really just all depends. On the person needing help, the kind of help, the person who made the help, etc...
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This is why I come here.
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SunWuKung420 posted...

Mead posted...

I dont use google

Look how edgy mead is everyone.

Please acknowledge me.
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LinkPizza posted...

Blorfenburger posted...

Its not as bad when you click on a forum like gamefaqs. Someone before you asked something similar and some asshole tells the asker to google it.

Thats surprising. For the amount of question I have asked and looked up here, I have never seen that. Haha.

It's only happened like 3 times and I think I found my answers on other search results
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Hey, what's up guys. Today I'm going to be showing you a tutorial on how to do this easy 10 second thing. It's very simple and anyone can do it if you follow the steps I will be showing you in this video. I've done this many times already so I can assure you that my method works. Now before I begin, I'm playing this on PS4 but this tutorial should work for any console whether it's XB1, Switch, or even PC. And before you watch this video, be sure to hit that like and subscribe button and hit the bell so you will be notified every time I make a video where I ramble on for 2 minutes before I show you any actual tips.

Ultima_Dragoon posted...

Hey, what's up guys. Today I'm going to be showing you a tutorial on how to do this easy 10 second thing. It's very simple and anyone can do it if you follow the steps I will be showing you in this video. I've done this many times already so I can assure you that my method works. Now before I begin, I'm playing this on PS4 but this tutorial should work for any console whether it's XB1, Switch, or even PC. And before you watch this video, be sure to hit that like and subscribe button and hit the bell so you will be notified every time I make a video where I ramble on for 2 minutes before I show you any actual tips.

Sigh. Reminds me of some assholes that make health tips videos that will "CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH THESE 5 EASY TRICKS" which ends up with zero advice and the promotion of a book with the aforementioned tricks.
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