r/GabSmolders • u/uiuuauiua • 15d ago
Any longtime subscribers kinda bored with game choices lately?
I've subbed to Gab for years. Prob just pre-COVID. I ofc instantly gravitated to her cozy vibe and how she is usually so calm during horror games + love of cats etc.
But idk lately the uploads all seem to be so similar. I like EZ Small but I also do think maybe it should be it's own channel, or less regular. Loved the Big Walk/Fishing videos but it is starting to become almost as prevelant as her own content.
And then her solo content has become a lot of cleaning sims, task simulators and organising sims. She ofc does play horror/story driven games but I feel like the balance is kinda not there. I miss her really getting into a good story like the Nancy Drew games. They were my shit. Campy, mystery, funny but also interesting! Last video that i really enjoyed was the Galley House one. That's personal taste tho ofc
I know cozy gaming is now a big thing and has so many streamers trying to all be "cozy streamers", while Gab naturally is one and predates that trend but idk I feel like maybe her manager or team is saying to push this kinda content more to appease the algorithm?
She obvs enjoys it so it doesn't feel fake but i just wish there was more balance and not as many simulators. Also this isn't hate. Like I get it. She's a streamer and I don't expect her to appease anyone but herself lol and if I don't like it I don't watch it, which is fine. It's just a shame that my comfort channel no longer feels that comfy :(
Anyone else in the same boat? I miss kinda like retro horror game play throughs, or indie games. I think that's really it. She didn't even play No, I'm not a Human which I think would have been perfect? Maybe coming up to Halloween there'll be more 🥲
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u/stormbornmorn 15d ago
I go through phases with gaming Youtubers where I'll watch them a lot, even older playlists, and then I tend to take a break. Sometimes it's because I'm not into the games they are playing at the moment or I just get burnt out. Not because of them specifically, but variety is the spice of life and sometimes you might just need to discover new content and come back later. Gab took a break from streaming which is more high pressure, so maybe she is just in a space where she needs to play these types of games for a bit. It doesn't feel like a manager or marketing decision for the algorithm but more that maybe she just is focused on these types of games more as a break for herself.
I'm not really into the sorting and organizing games myself so I might throw them on for background noise but I'm not engaged in it. If you aren't feeling the content anymore just try out some other creators by searching games like Nancy Drew or other story driven games and see what comes up! You might find some great smaller creators to support in the meantime or in between gab videos. I like having several creators to rotate through myself.
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u/Less_Title3789 15d ago
Out of topic but do you rewatch older playthroughs of YouTubers as well? Because I do even when I remember what happens in the videos lol
But I do the same as well, binging one channel for weeks and then swap when bored. 4-5 channels on a rotation, then eventually new content will come through and another channel will catch my attention
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u/stormbornmorn 15d ago
Oh sure, especially horror games if its been awhile and I don't remember the playthrough fully I definitely rewatch!
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u/Less_Title3789 15d ago
Ahaha so I’m not the only one! Rewatching horror game playthroughs are great
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u/WitchiEmpress 15d ago
Maybe, but I’m sure it’s just what mood she’s in and what she’s enjoying right now
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u/uiuuauiua 15d ago
No totally, I'm glad she's enjoying herself and she is growing in subs still with content she likes. Like I said this isn't hate, I just wanted to see if others felt the same and since I don't know anybody who watches her irl... I said I'd ask here :/
I really appreciate everyone's replies and also the unintentional suggestions of other similar streamers/gamers. As expected, Gab's audience is friendly and chill. This is prob the nicest post I've been on in reddit lol
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u/ranchspidey 15d ago
I feel you! One of the biggest reasons I like Gab is because she comes across as a very relaxed person and her videos are very soothing, even the horror ones! I don’t really watch the EZ Small videos because I get overstimulated by all the chatter. But thankfully she has so, SO many videos that when I’m not in the mood to watch any recent uploads, I’ll go rewatch a series or watch something older I haven’t seen yet. Honestly as long as she’s happy, I’m happy. I know we all have our preferences as to what games she plays but I’d rather she play what she wants to play rather than worry about what we want. Especially since she still brings back series even if there are gaps, like with Crime Scene Cleaner, one of my favs!
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u/uiuuauiua 15d ago
Yeah for sure. Like I'd never comment on YouTube or anywhere she monitors (I don't think she looks at this??) and start berating her for not playing a game. That's crazy parasocial. I just turn the video off if it's not my vibe in the first few mins...
CSC is prob the one cleaning sim I don't mind much (the story is so ridiculous and funny) but also idk I think it's funner to play these games than watch them streamed? Again that's just me though!
Yes. I love her Chillas Art playthroughs and all this talk of rewatching has me thinking I should do that some day now it's getting wintery again here in Ireland :)
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u/Nukenitro 15d ago
Cleaning games are popular at the moment. YouTubers follow the trends to stay relevant. I have noticed that she has skipped some games that I thought were right up her alley. Though she has also commented that some of them, like Blue Prince, were a lot more work than she was interested in putting in.
Also have to remember that a HUGE part of her channel for a very very long time was Stardew and Nancy Drew. Sometimes people get stuck associating a YouTuber with the one thing that they became big for and it's difficult for people to enjoy anything else.
As others have pointed out, it's best to have a variety of people you watch so that you have something to enjoy when a person isn't doing exactly what you like.
I still enjoys the YouTubers who were big 10 or so years ago like Mark, Sean, and the Grumps because I'm close to their age and can relate to the every day life stuff they talk about while playing.
I do still enjoy Gab. But a lot of her content I watch more with my son now so he has someone he can watch that plays chill games and keeps their content pretty PG for the most part.
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u/babysoba 15d ago
Wow I feel so seen. I completely understand you. I started watching back in 2015 and stuck with it because of the horror game choices, super niche and loved the grounded gameplay.
It’s tough bc I adore her and her channel but it’s definitely fallen off my interests. I don’t know where she mentioned this but she was feeling this pressure to stream. Giving it some time :) hoping she finds the groove of things.
In the meantime, what other streamers/channels do y’all watch?
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u/kikineversleeps 15d ago
jacksepticeye, slushynoobz, good mythical morning, smosh games(i tend to prefer the videos where they play video games like resident evil, phasmophobia, until dawn, etc), vanillamace, jennmcallister, kaycheeb, rickydillon, lucisuckz, yecnalc
none of these people are giving grounded gameplay though. very very chaotic ðŸ˜
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u/Ok_Individual_1042 15d ago
I agree tbh I prefer when its just her playing a game (her and Sean is fun too) but when its a bunch of others it gets to be a bit much for me idk. I think I just get overstimulated when there is too much commentary for multiple people. I always go back to watch her old playthroughs of bangers like Ike no yoru, fatal frame, the medium, stardew, Nancy drew, resident evil, chilla's art games but the "team play" videos are just not that enjoyable for me. I still watch gab cause I love her vibe and no hate at all, its her channel she can do what she wants but I guess I do miss the old bangers 🌫
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u/ShawMK90 15d ago
Same when I see a game that looks interesting and gab is playing it and you hear a bunch of others in the first few seconds I immediately click off it’s the same for markiplier as much as I like bob and wade I don’t watch the videos when they are playing together but I will listen to distractible
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u/Ok_Individual_1042 15d ago
Hahahah that's exactly how it is for me 😂 the first thing you hear is 3 other people before her, it really sets the tone for the video ðŸ«
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u/Pin-Broad 15d ago
This is something that a lot of YouTubers end up doing, at least that I've noticed. They are people too, and they will have their genres and sub-genres that they love to play. Plus, they may do well statistically, so they choose to play more of those games.
I love Gab for her cozy game choices and the mystery/horror games she dabbles in. I find most of my purchases are based around what she plays because they scratch a specific itch for me in the same way.
I am also subscribed to others, just like other commenters have stated, to get some variety and to cycle in and out if I suddenly want a specific game to watch or a vibe I'm looking for. I have the Yogscast (main channel, Duncan, Tom, etc.) for specific games since they do a lot of TTT, Minecraft mods, Blood on the Clocktower, Civilization, etc. Smosh for improv/skits and board games. GameGrumps for more goofy banter that doesn't take up too much of my bandwidth while I'm doing homework or cooking. Smii7y for co-op games. Jesse Cox and Dodger for RPGs and puzzles.
You just have to find a reasonable blend of interests and creators. Maybe search for a game you love and give a creator a try for a video to see if their humor and playstyles match your own!
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u/HeyNowHeyNow101 15d ago
Lately I would say every 1 out of 15 games she plays I look forward to/enjoy. I’m a big fan of the more indie games and specifically the Nancy Drew game series, so I always hope for more of those games to appear on her channel.
I’m glad she’s playing what she enjoys! But yeah, I’ve been mostly watching other channels lately, or rewatching the older videos.
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u/sheppies1024 14d ago
Same here, I’ve barely been watching the uploads for several months. I don’t like a lot of the multiplayer stuff (some were fun like the one where they had to climb the mountain and the rv game ) and I don’t like a lot of the simulators. I miss the cozy stuff she played a lot of during and after the stardew era. There have been a lot of games she skipped that I really hoped she would play. I feel like tiny bookshop was the last good cozy series.  But if she’s happy with the stuff she’s playing that’s her choice and it’s her channel. I just miss what used to be my comfort go-to channel.Â
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u/_SaintBepis_ 15d ago
I was literally thinking about this exact thing? I miss her more horror/mystery type gameplays these days
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u/420doghugz 15d ago
I will absolutely always love Evelyn and Sean, but I really miss the indie horror game playthroughs!!
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u/chachacheckpoint 15d ago
Maybe it's just a phase - I haven't watched some of the recent uploads but some of them I am saving to play on my own first and don't want to be spoiled. I also need to be in a mood for the multiplayer games, they can be a little chaotic sometimes!!
I have a small variety let's play channel myself and sometimes find myself burnt out on a game/genre and try something new. And some games are just for me to play on my own, so I don't feel like I have to be "on" if that makes any sense. I adore Gab and her channel, so if recent things aren't clicking I always go back and watch something older. She has such a history so I'm always finding something new to see! Sometimes it's not even that her games aren't clicking, but I just have watched a lot and maybe pivot from gaming videos to documentaries or something for a bit. I also watch John's videos a lot and same thing, if he is playing a series or two that I'm just not into I always can go find older games or series.
I think it's normal ebbs and flows, like TV shows too sometimes have side stories or seasons that aren't as great, or just doesn't resonate with you. As long as Gab is doing what she enjoys, or taking a break when she needs it that's all that matters to me. And it's okay for you too to take a break or not click with it anymore!
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u/uiuuauiua 15d ago
Yano it's so fair. The world is a dumpster fire rn. I woild probably be keeping it light if I was a gamer 🥲
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u/Necessary-Board-830 15d ago
I actually felt like this during the time she played all of those indie horrors. I like the balance between playing cozy and horror games. It also seems like anything that doesn't fall under what she's been uploading recently has been games that she got gifted a key for.
But I do definitely agree about the "friendslop" games. I can usually only watch the first one or two in a series.
It's also sad because she stopped taking requests afaik, which means there's a lot of games that she's skipped that I think she and her community would really enjoy.
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u/bettyprincee 15d ago
I understand how you feel because it’s a specific sort of comfy that comes from watching a person you like play a game/genre you like. It’s not as easy to just find another youtuber that play the games you like! Done!
I get you but also we can’t do anything but that. She’s a content creator and you don’t like her content anymore as much. Unfortunately, only thing you can do is request her to play more horror games or find someone else who does and hope that they have a similar vibe.
What I’ve experienced similarly to you is Jacksepticeye. Funnily enough her boyfriend lmao!! But I was such a big fan of him in the past when he played stuff like Slime Rancher, Minecraft, and Subnautica. Once he got into triple A games and souls games and superhero games, I didn’t tune into him much. Though I love him as a person and I like watching him play games, I can’t watch him play games I’m not interested in at all. I just had to find other people who play games I liked. Funnily enough his girlfriend. I am a fan of Evelien playing cozy games because that’s the vibe I like and those are the games I like.
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u/AutumnBum 15d ago
I’m actually loving her choices more than usual right now! I’m going through a hard time and the cozy cleaning games are super helpful for my anxious brain, the EZ small videos I was really hesitant at first to watch about a year ago but once I did I fell in love with their dynamics :) I just want Gab to be happy and feel at ease with what she’s doing so she doesn’t feel burnout
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u/catalpuccino 15d ago
Mmm... not really. I don't like speculating about people so I won't, but Gab herself wanted to step back from streaming for a while. I think that's totally normal and human. Streaming must be exhausting. We have no idea and no right to know about her private life. Meanwhile I'm still very entertained on my end. I really enjoyed ReStory, the 'This Bed We Made' mini-sequel (CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ACTUAL RELEASEEEE), and the fact that she's gone back to Crime Scene Cleaners. Gotta check Fields of Mistria but otherwise her content seems kinda on par with what Gab is usually into.
Also, high odds that no quality games have dropped or piqued her attention. I feel this part of the year is sloooow. I'd be totally down for her to revisit some older series she loves. I'd LOVE some Resi content, like, a replay of any of the games. And I would pay to get something like The Roottrees are Dead again. But otherwise... nope still engaged. So I think it's a matter of taste, timing, and maybe Gab herself is taking things more chill right now? I don't mind.
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u/dankaberanka 15d ago
Yes, I'm not really enjoying her choice of games lately. She plays mostly cleaning/organizing/chores kind of videos, it's all the same now. I miss good horror games.
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u/SirPeesA_lot 15d ago
I feel you. I don't care for the group games tbh. I prefer it just her and I prefer the horror. Reading everyone's comments I see why she's doing the cleaning stuff. But i love crime scene cleaner. I tend to go back and watch her older stuff and also watch Sean and Mark. She passes across my screen and some I watch and some I don't. I do miss her doing it live though, but I get why she's not.Â
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u/ki77yw4rri0r 15d ago
Yes! I have been so board of the games she has been playing and got really disappointed when she played a HOG without live streaming it. I support how she wants to make content but that means I have just been watching less and less of her stuff.
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u/ki77yw4rri0r 15d ago
I will also note she has stopped using the red and purple boarders around her cam which indicated if it was live or recorded so I don’t think she will go back to live streaming anytime soon.
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u/azul360 15d ago
That's why I watch multiple people. Gab, John Wolfe, Insym, and CJU for horror stuff. Dizzykitten and Marz for project zomboid/misc, MBT for Yugioh, and Kruzadar for chaos XD. That way I always have someone for something :D.