In this article, we'll dive into the Top 10 Game Design YouTubers, showcasing creators who are making waves in the industry. We'll highlight channels like Game Maker's Toolkit, Extra Credits, Brackeys, Thomas Brush, and Design Doc, exploring what makes each of them a must-watch for aspiring game designers.
1. Game Maker's Toolkit
Who is Game Maker's Toolkit?
Game Maker's Toolkit, hosted by Mark Brown, is a YouTube channel dedicated to deep dives into game design, level design, and game production. Mark Brown launched the channel on June 4, 2006, and has since garnered a substantial following for his insightful analysis and educational content. For more information, visit the Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube Channel.
Game Maker's Toolkit, hosted by Mark Brown, is based in the United Kingdom.
Audience
The audience of Game Maker's Toolkit primarily consists of young adults and adults aged 18-35 who are deeply interested in game design and development. For instance, many viewers actively participate in the GMTK Game Jam and engage in community discussions, showcasing their passion for creating and analyzing games.
Key Metrics
Game Maker's Toolkit, hosted by Mark Brown, boasts impressive YouTube statistics:
- Engagement Rate: 5.39%
- Subscribers: 1.61M
- Average Video Length: 17.52 minutes
- Video Views: 193.07M
Content Focus
- Game Maker's Toolkit creates in-depth analyses of game design, level design, and game production, offering valuable insights for both novice and experienced game developers.
- The channel frequently explores specific game mechanics and design principles, such as how to release a game on Steam or what makes a game feel mysterious.
- Content often includes practical lessons from real-world examples, like game design lessons from 10 years of GMTK, making it a rich resource for learning and inspiration.
2. Extra Credits
Who is Extra Credits?
Extra Credits, created by Daniel Floyd and James Portnow, is a YouTube channel that delves into educational content about gaming, game design, and history. The channel officially joined YouTube on October 16, 2022, and has since amassed a dedicated following. For more information, visit the Extra Credits YouTube Channel.
Extra Credits is based in the United States, where they produce their educational gaming content.
Audience
The audience of Extra Credits primarily consists of gamers, game designers, and individuals interested in the gaming industry. For example, many viewers engage with videos like "Help Make Esports Better: The Good Game Project" and "Monopoly’s Dirty Secrets: Theft, Erasure and Capitalism," showcasing their interest in both the educational and analytical aspects of gaming.
Key Metrics
Extra Credits boasts impressive YouTube statistics:
- Engagement Rate: 7.81%
- Subscribers: 209K
- Average Video Length: 11.92 minutes
- Video Views: 254.42M
Content Focus
- Extra Credits creates short-form animated video essays about video games, exploring themes like game design, the meaning behind games, and how to improve them.
- The channel delves into the impact of video games on culture, covering specific topics such as "Choice Architecture," "Chess as an eSport," and "The Psychology of Knowing Something is Sus."
- In addition to gaming content, Extra Credits produces educational videos on historical events and figures through their "Extra History" series.
3. Brackeys
Who is Brackeys?
Brackeys, a YouTube channel dedicated to game development tutorials, joined the platform on December 22, 2012. The channel, which has amassed over 1.84 million subscribers, focuses on teaching game development using Unity and Godot, along with programming in C# and game design principles. For more information, visit the Brackeys YouTube Channel.
Brackeys is based in Denmark, where he creates game development tutorials for his YouTube channel.
Audience
The audience of Brackeys primarily consists of aspiring game developers, ranging from beginners to intermediate learners, who are keen on mastering game development using Unity and Godot. For instance, many viewers actively participate in Brackeys' game jams and engage with tutorials like "How to make a Video Game - Godot Beginner Tutorial," which has garnered over 2.5 million views.
Key Metrics
Brackeys, a YouTube channel dedicated to game development tutorials, has impressive metrics that highlight its influence in the gaming community:
- Engagement Rate: 6.1%
- Subscribers: 1.84M
- Average Video Length: 21 Minutes
- Video Views: 217.34M
Content Focus
- Brackeys creates educational content focused on game development, offering tutorials on programming, game design, and the use of game engines like Unity and Godot.
- The channel covers specific topics such as "How to make a Video Game - Godot Beginner Tutorial," "Best Games from the Brackeys Game Jam 2024.2," and "How to program in Godot - GDScript Tutorial."
- Brackeys engages with their audience through a Discord community, regular content updates, and interactive events like the "Brackeys Game Jam."
4. Thomas Brush
Who is Thomas Brush?
Thomas Brush, a game developer and YouTube content creator, joined the platform on May 19, 2011. Known for his insightful discussions on indie game development, he also hosts the "Full Time Game Dev" podcast where he interviews fellow developers. For more information, visit the Thomas Brush YouTube Channel.
Thomas Brush is based in the United States, where he creates content focused on game development and hosts the "Full Time Game Dev" podcast.
Audience
The audience of Thomas Brush primarily consists of aspiring and current game developers, ranging from teenagers to adults who are passionate about indie game development. For instance, many viewers engage with his "Full Time Game Dev" podcast episodes, which feature interviews with successful indie developers, and tutorials like "How To Make A Game Alone," which has garnered over 1.2 million views.
Key Metrics
Thomas Brush's YouTube channel is a treasure trove for aspiring game developers.
- Subscribers: 399K
- Average Video Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Video Views: 1.2M
Content Focus
- Thomas Brush creates content focused on the business aspects of indie game development, offering insights and strategies for aspiring developers.
- He hosts the "Full Time Game Dev" podcast, where he interviews successful indie game developers and discusses various topics related to game development.
- His channel features tutorials and educational videos on game development, including how to make games with no experience and tips for marketing indie games.
5. Design Doc
Who is Design Doc?
Design Doc, run by Dan and Mike, is a YouTube channel that delves into game design through insightful video essays. The channel, which joined YouTube on July 28, 2008, has garnered a substantial following with over 342K subscribers. For more information, visit the Design Doc YouTube Channel.
Design Doc, run by Dan and Mike, is based in the United States, where they create insightful video essays on game design.
Audience
The audience of Design Doc primarily consists of gamers and aspiring game developers who are passionate about understanding the intricacies of game design. For instance, many viewers engage with videos like "What Makes A Great Impossible Boss?" and "Good Design, Bad Design Vol. 16: The Best and Worst of Video Game Graphic Design," showcasing their interest in detailed analyses and critical evaluations of game elements.
Key Metrics
Design Doc, run by Dan and Mike, is a YouTube channel that delves into game design through insightful video essays.
- Subscribers: 342K
- Average Video Length: 21 minutes
- Video Views: 907,512
Content Focus
- Design Doc creates video essays on game design, covering various gaming genres such as RPGs, action, racing, adventure, puzzle, retro, and modern games.
- The channel explores game mechanics and elements, including topics like spooky stages, luck mechanics, and gimmick bosses.
- Design Doc also reviews and critiques video game graphic design, offering detailed analyses and comparisons of good and bad design elements.
6. Ask Gamedev
Who is Ask Gamedev?
Ask Gamedev, a YouTube channel run by a group of game industry veterans, joined the platform on October 17, 2017. The channel focuses on answering questions about game development and providing an insider's perspective on the industry. For more information, visit the Ask Gamedev YouTube Channel.
Ask Gamedev, a YouTube channel run by a group of game industry veterans, is based in Canada, with their operations likely centered in Vancouver.
Audience
The audience of Ask Gamedev primarily consists of aspiring game developers and individuals interested in the game development industry. For example, many viewers engage with videos like "7 Game Design Mistakes to Avoid!" which has garnered 756K views, and actively participate in community showcases, indicating a strong interest in learning from industry veterans and supporting indie game projects.
Key Metrics
Ask Gamedev, a YouTube channel run by a group of game industry veterans, provides valuable insights into game development.
- Subscribers: 215K
- Average Video Length: 0:33
- Video Views: 23,547
Content Focus
- Ask Gamedev creates videos on the game development industry and how to make video games, offering tutorials, industry insights, and practical advice for aspiring developers.
- The channel features interviews with game developers, providing an insider's perspective on the industry and showcasing indie games and solo-developed projects.
- Ask Gamedev engages with their community through interactive content such as game showcases, Q&A sessions, and community posts, fostering a supportive environment for game developers.
7. Blackthornprod
Who is Blackthornprod?
Blackthornprod, whose real name is not explicitly mentioned, is a YouTube channel dedicated to game development tutorials and challenges. The channel joined YouTube on August 15, 2015, and has since amassed a substantial following. For more information, visit the Blackthornprod YouTube Channel.
Blackthornprod is based in France, where he creates game development tutorials and challenges for his YouTube channel.
Audience
The audience of Blackthornprod primarily consists of aspiring game developers, ranging from teenagers to adults, who are keen on learning game development through engaging tutorials and challenges. For instance, many viewers actively participate in collaborative game development challenges like "9 DEVS Make a GAME without COMMUNICATING (Where did it go Wrong?)" and "100 DEVS Make a GAME without COMMUNICATING! (1-25)," which have garnered over a million views each.
Key Metrics
Blackthornprod is a YouTube channel dedicated to game development tutorials and challenges.
- Subscribers: 563K
- Average Video Length: 17:14
- Video Views: 23,547
Content Focus
- Blackthornprod creates engaging game development tutorials, offering step-by-step guidance on using game engines like Unity and Godot.
- The channel features collaborative game development challenges, where multiple developers work on a game without communicating, adding an element of surprise and creativity.
- Blackthornprod provides educational courses on game development, available on platforms like GameDevRocket.com, and showcases their games on itch.io.
8. Dani
Who is Dani?
Dani, a popular YouTube content creator, joined the platform on October 17, 2018. Known for his engaging game development videos, Dani has amassed a substantial following with over 3.56 million subscribers and 289.27 million total video views. For more information, visit the Dani YouTube Channel.
Dani, a popular YouTube content creator, is based in Norway.
Audience
The audience of Dani primarily consists of young adults and teenagers who are passionate about game development and enjoy engaging, humorous content. For instance, many viewers actively participate in discussions on videos like "I Made Among Us, but it's 3D" and "He said I Couldn't Make a VR Game... So I Bought a VR Headset and Made One!" showcasing their interest in both the creative process and the entertaining challenges Dani undertakes.
Key Metrics
Dani, a popular YouTube content creator, has impressive metrics that highlight his influence in the gaming community:
- Engagement Rate: Not available
- Subscribers: 3.56M
- Average Video Length: 13-15 minutes
- Video Views: 289.27M
Content Focus
- Dani creates engaging game development videos, often featuring humorous and entertaining challenges such as "I Made Among Us, but it's 3D" and "He said I Couldn't Make a VR Game... So I Bought a VR Headset and Made One!"
- His content includes adding unique and unexpected elements to games, as seen in videos like "Adding a Giant Crab to my Game So Netflix doesn't Sue me" and "Adding a Dragon Boss to my Game Because Steam is Mad at me."
- Dani also explores popular gaming trends and creates content around them, such as "I Made Squid Game, But it's a Multiplayer Game" and "So I Became One of The Fastest Minecraft Speedrunners."
9. Jabrils
Who is Jabrils?
Jabrils, whose real name is not explicitly mentioned, is a YouTube content creator known for solving problems using code. He joined the platform on July 6, 2015, and has since developed a substantial following. For more information, visit the Jabrils YouTube Channel.
Jabrils is based in the United States.
Audience
The audience of Jabrils primarily consists of tech enthusiasts and aspiring programmers who are passionate about coding, AI, and technology projects. For instance, many viewers engage with videos like "I'm lonely so I made an AI Best Friend," which has 44,452 views, and "WRITING MY FIRST MACHINE LEARNING GAME!" with 1.9M views, showcasing their interest in innovative tech solutions and game development.
Key Metrics
Jabrils, a YouTube content creator, is known for solving problems using code.
- Subscribers: 490K
- Average Video Length: 10-12 minutes
- Video Views: 8M
Content Focus
- Jabrils creates videos focused on solving problems using code, often involving creative and technical projects such as developing AI friends and exploring machine learning applications.
- His content includes game development tutorials and projects, showcasing his skills in coding and problem-solving within the gaming context.
- Jabrils also delves into data analysis and technology, covering topics like graphing flight data and exploring gadgets from companies like Tesla and Google.
10. Code Monkey
Who is Code Monkey?
Thomas Brush, a game developer and YouTube content creator, joined the platform on May 19, 2011. Known for his insightful discussions on indie game development, he also hosts the "Full Time Game Dev" podcast where he interviews fellow developers. For more information, visit the Code Monkey YouTube Channel.
Code Monkey, a YouTube content creator focused on game development tutorials, is based in Portugal.
Audience
The audience of Code Monkey primarily consists of aspiring game developers and programmers, typically aged 18-35, who are keen on mastering Unity and C#. For instance, many viewers engage with comprehensive tutorials like "Learn Unity Beginner/Intermediate 2024 (FREE COMPLETE Course - Unity Tutorial)" which has garnered over 2.7 million views, and actively participate in community discussions and member-exclusive content.
Key Metrics
Code Monkey, a YouTube content creator focused on game development tutorials, is based in Portugal.
- Subscribers: 550K
- Average Video Length: 10-12 minutes
- Video Views: 2.7M
Content Focus
- Code Monkey creates in-depth game development tutorials using Unity and C#, offering step-by-step courses and professional insights.
- The channel features popular series and videos such as "Getting Started with Netcode for Entities! (DOTS Multiplayer Tutorial Unity 6)" and "The MOST WANTED Unity Feature is FINALLY here!"
- Code Monkey engages with the community through interactive content, including posts, polls, and members-only videos and live streams.
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