This is something I've thought about possibly doing for quite a while now and I may have even brought it up in the past. What do you guys think of me doing Video Updates instead of the regular text based updates?

Surprisingly a lot of the updates don't get much attention and the people who do read them usually don't read the entire update. I think a Video Update could potentially draw more interest and since a lot of people get lazy when it comes to reading, having someone read to them and show them the updates might keep their attention. Also, since they'd be in the form of a video, I'd use YouTube and by using YouTube, that'd draw attention to whoever is subscribed to the channel that it's on as well.

So what would a Video Update contain? Basically I'd show the new feature or update in action in the video while I talk about and describe it. Things tend to make more sense when you see them in action and it'd also be a great way of showing how it's used as well. Of course I'd still have a text update to go alone with it for those who don't want to watch the video or for those who are unable to hear the video for various reasons (although I could close caption the video).

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding potential video updates, please let me know.

Davideo7 : I think it's sad how many people don't take the time to read much of anything... Video updates, I think, would go a long way. I've been helping people with the ROM loading feature since there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding it's use. It's not that I mind helping everyone on an individual basis, it's just that, after answering the same question multiple time for everyone to see, they ask anyway instead of reading the replies. Though, granted, I'm far from oratorically gifted.

I personally take the time to read the announcements the whole way. With that being said, I can't speak for everyone, so I guess for those users who don't take the time to read whole updates, the video updates would be a good idea. Would you still take the time to type the updates for those who'd rather read it than watch a video update?

m0ssb3rg935 : Yeah that's a perfect example of an update that could've used a video update.

gamerforlifeforever2 : You kinda just proved my point by not reading my entire post:
" Of course I'd still have a text update to go alone with it for those who don't want to watch the video "

If not for any other reason than to get more attention from the subscribers, I think this is a great idea.
I wonder how many people take the time to look at the announcements.

Perhaps you can embed the video somewhere on the front page or forum index page?

Vanelan : I was thinking maybe being embedded  into the top of the written announcement, but I realized how redundant that would be only after reading your post. I'd venture to guess that a lot, if not most, ignore the announcements link at the top.

I think video updates would be a really good way to reach user who doesn't read the announcements.

As you said it would probably also be an effective way of getting more new visitors to the site. I only read through the announcements that I feel concern me in some way, but with updates that introduces new features and such it would be great to see a video of how it works as well. 
I also think that it would be a lot easier to find older announcements if they where posted on Youtube as well. 

I'm looking forward to seeing this happen in the future!

Davideo7 : While I do read all announcements you give us David, I think this would be a good idea since some people are lazy and don't read them. So this would be a thing that they can use so they get the information, but don't have to read.......even though they should.

I'm all for a video update. I think it would be an easier way to communicate what's new, and what's going on. It might get more people into competitions too!

I am fine with text announcements, personally. But I also understand the appeal of having it in video form too. I think that videos would be an easier way to get more people informed.

This reminds me of Skilledtree's project to do a weekly update about what was going on around here: https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=91448

This idea is a bit similar, but has the potential to be successful, basically for what you said of showing people how the new features work. I myself read all the announcements and updates, yet I must agree I would prefer a video for being easier than going through hundreds of words.

Davideo7 : Video updates would be an amazing idea, and a few of us have actually been talking about doing something like that for a project that I have been working on.

Vanelan : The front page shows the last 3 announcements so if the video is embedded into announcements then it would appear on the index page. I could look into finding a way to embed it into other parts of the site as well just so the announcements get more exposure (maybe while a game loads or something).


0ddie : That's a good point about users finding the old videos on YouTube. That also makes me wonder which YouTube channel I'd place it on. I've got 3 options:
My Personal Channel
Vizzed Gameplay Videos Channel
Vizzed Productions Channel


A user of this : Yeah this would be great for competitions. If I did a video showing the results of competitions, possibly more users would compete in order to get their submission shown in an update video. I currently don't go into too much detail regarding the competition submissions with my announcements to avoid making those announcements too big (I think announcements that are too big are less likely to get fully read) but with a video I could briefly show the top 3 submissions in each competition.


EX Palen : Yeah a video can take less time than having to read words because it's quicker to show how something works than to explain how it works. Plus videos are usually more interesting than just text so therefore someone would be more willing to watch the video until the end compared to reading all of the text in an update.

I didn't realize Skilledtree had something going like this. That's pretty cool. Due to my shyness, I'm not so sure I'd have myself in the video but if I did, it'd only be briefly at the beginning (introducing myself and briefly describing the video) and/or briefly at the end.

Well, Skilledtree's project is mainly dead because he didn't have much following. Plus, his project involves weekly summaries of what has been going on around Vizzed, not a "tutorial" of what a newly implemented update allows users to do. 

And well, add to the equation he's not as popular or relevant as you are, and also the forum he posted this project in isn't very active or noticed unlike News and Updates. I liked his project, but outside of a TdV month there's rather nothing to say even on a monthly basis, so it wouldn't be an interesting video for many users, let alone outsiders.

It's not needed to have yourself on the video, he appeared just because it's the way he makes the videos. He was acting as a presenter of sorts, while you would just be a narrator.

I would say you could put it in the menu that cycles through in the top page of the RGR, but I feel like that is ignored.

Davideo7 : What if you rigged up the system where it sent the written update with the video at the top to everyone's PM inbox who've logged on in the last 3 months? Everyone even remotely active would be more compelled to read the updates if it were presented to them. I don't know about other people, but when I get a reply or summon, my curiosity wont let me not check it, even if I wind up not replying

Vanelan : I was thinking that of possibly doing that. Any ideas how I could give that more attention?

EX Palen : It'd be kinda cool to merge the 2 ideas in some way.

m0ssb3rg935 : If someone doesn't notice the Announcements area then they probably aren't going to notice the PM area.

Maybe you can put it in the space on the index page of the RGR where the ad is right in the top middle of the page and move that ad somewhere else?
I was thinking maybe have it auto play, but that might get annoying if someone heard/watched it already.

Vanelan : That would hurt ad revenue though

I could place it in the rotating content area and have it auto play but also have the volume at like 10% or 25% and have it auto play only the day it was released.

I don't mean you should get rid of that ad completely, just move it. Maybe even put it in the same area right under the update video?

Vanelan : Ads are very picky. The further up and to the left of a page they are, the higher they pay. The further down and to the right they are, the less they pay. Moving an add by just that much could potentially drop its revenue by 25-50%.

To get an idea of where the best ad positions are, go here:
http://cdn.digital.guide/Best-AdSense-Ad-positions-AdSense-Heat-map.jpg
(that's just a reference and applies to Google Adsense but is a good reference for others as well)