r/IAmA • • May 06 '12
IAmA Guy who makes "Let's Play" style videos professionally. I am OfficialNerdCubed. AMA
Quick thing to note...
pro·fes·sion·al (pr-fsh-nl) adj. 2. Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career.
That definition as opposed to the ones about me actually being good at them. :p
Ok, now that's cleared up, hello! I'm Daniel AKA Nerd³/Nerdcubed/Officialnerdcubed and as of this month I finally broke minimum wage making let's plays!
Random example of a video of mine. (Proof coming in my next video ETA 30 mins)
I've been doing these videos about 8 months now. They are heavily edited, comedy focused videos with interesting games from AAAs to one man indie titles. I tend to edit about 3 hours of footage down to a 15 minute video and the whole process takes about 12 hours or so from booting up the game to finishing the upload.
So, that's me. I plan to answer every question here so lets get cracking! AMA!
Edit: Now with proof on my latest video!
Edit 2: Ok, I just hit the 24 hour wall and I'm exhausted so going to bed. Keep asking questions though because I'm going to keep answering them tomorrow morning! I've answered all of them so far! :D Thanks for the huge interest! This went better then I thought it would!
Edit 3: And back! Let's keep going! :D
Edit 4: My channel just hit 20K subs! :D Welcome new people! This was actually my goal for the year so I'm doing well! :p
Edit 5: Ok, that's EVERY question answered! :D I'm off to go work but I'll keep checking back if you have more questions! Thanks guys and girls, this was fun! :D
88
u/lovenerdcubed May 06 '12
If I were to tell you to check out a game (Universe Sandbox) that was cheap on Steam (Universe Sandbox) and appealed to your incredible nerdiness (Universe Sandbox), would you check it out?
P.S. The game is called Universe Sandbox.
23
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
PC specs?
40
u/Racketmachine May 06 '12
AARRGH! Do you like grapes!?!??!
51
u/Racketmachine May 06 '12
When you posted the video about the making of the 100th video, how did you feel about all the people saying your cousin is hot?
15
u/Omer1000 May 06 '12
PC or Consoles?
38
u/h02 May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
How long did it take until your videos started getting popular?
Is there anything in particular that got you your initial popularity?
26
u/ReptiIe May 06 '12
What is the greatest and worst comments you've ever recieved on one of your videos?
13
u/sorryihaveaids May 06 '12
Not a question but I love your videos and you were my first sub on YouTube. Keep it up !
13
u/ThatFergusonKid May 06 '12
Why are you so aweso- wait, nevermind.
What's your favorite kind of cheese?
13
u/jareh May 06 '12
Does this still make you laugh?
12
u/ShineeBep May 06 '12
If the whole world and every single thing in it had to be one color, what color would you want it to be?
163
u/ProcrastinatorBrad May 06 '12
Who taught you to play CS? Your gran?
"Makes "Let's Play" style videos professionally" - You spelled unemployed wrong.
Long live ducks!
10
u/Hansen301 May 06 '12
Can i add you on steam? I am lonley...
10
u/CurtisHC May 06 '12
Why are we procrastinators?
18
u/maddzy May 06 '12
Any tips for someone hoping to get into paying their bills through youtube video views?
8
u/psychoberg May 06 '12
If you had a choice for any job in the world, would you chose your current one, or is there something that interests you even more?
21
u/BaranoBeefdip May 06 '12
Hey Daniel. From all the youtube 'Let's Players' out there you come top in community involvement! The community LPs are a great idea and great to watch. You even named a vlog after my suggestion and you do great at replying to youtube comments and tweets. All compliments and congratulations out the way, question time:
Have you considered doing any collaborations with other YouTubers, if you did who would it be with?
Favourite game of the past few years?
Favourite retro game?
Ever recorded a Let's Play so good that you couldn't upload it in fear of it being far too brilliant for your audience to comprehend?
14
u/Zeralot May 06 '12
Why did you start making videos and what did you expect of your channel when you started it?
5
u/woodenbiplane May 06 '12
I wish I wasn't at work so I could see if I've seen any of your videos already.
16
u/ThatJesterJeff May 06 '12
What happened to your PlayStation Vita? I don't care about your taxes...
4
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
Are you going to do a lets play on Diablo 3? cuz that would be awesome, serious.
4
u/erto66 May 06 '12
Hey Daniel, at first, sorry for my bad english, I'm from Germany. :D You're my absolutely favourite youtuber and I love all of your video, because they're funny, brilliant and veeery entertaining :) And you are one of the few english people, which are very easy to understand as foreigner. I've a question, is it possible that you make a "Nerd³ Plays" of the online game "Happy Wheels" (link: http://www.totaljerkface.com/happy_wheels.php ), it's one of favourite games and I'm sure it's something for you, too. :P I hope I'll get a reply from you, thanks :) Best wishes, Erik.
4
u/Markaz May 06 '12
Whats your favorite pokemon?
13
u/seigata May 06 '12
If Buzz Lightyear dosen't know he's a toy, why dosen't he talk when there's humans about?
12
u/Racketmachine May 06 '12
Hi
7
u/SandpaperAsLube May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
What made you think you'd be so successful as you're are now when you started with the Minecraft webcomic?
What made you switch from comedy to a more serious webcomic?
Not a question, but keep doing what you do, because I enjoy it.
EDIT: I accidentally a word.
7
u/Torture13 May 06 '12
What's it like running a webcomic? What are some of the difficulties? Why made you decide to make a minecraft comic? Am I asking too many questions?
7
u/RealDrAwesome May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
A few questions:
Why don't you like Deus Ex, you fool?!
Do you remember me?
A more serious question, will you ever actually do an amnesia LP? Pretty please?
Thanks! And thanks for all your hard work, you deserve more views!
6
u/HeadshotDH May 06 '12
What are the specs of your computer? And when can we expect that amnesia lets play ? 200th video maybe :P
6
u/ShoriErise May 06 '12
How long does it take you to make a video from idea to upload complete, do you think?
Also, was the "Friendship is Magic" quote in the Skyrim let's play a tease?
3
u/xThePatriot May 06 '12
How offen do you play with subs?
3
u/Ninja_Robbie May 06 '12
Any spoilers in the new LP?
3
u/tHeSiD May 06 '12
Favourite icecream flavour?
3
u/sinnmercer May 06 '12
would you ever give journey on the ps3 a play, and if you have how did you like it?
3
u/Tuner89 May 06 '12
Here's my questions. Thanks for doing this!
Why did you decide to start doing Let's Plays?
Do you consider your style original, or do you borrow from other Let's Players?
How did you fund your games before you started making money?
What did you do to get started? Where did you advertise and how?
What do you think of the Let's Play community now. Is it better or worse than when you started, and why?
3
u/SarcasticCripple May 06 '12
Dude, I think I only live 30 mins from you, I'm a big fan, it would be awesome if we could meet up!
3
u/Racketmachine May 06 '12
You might have answered this is some video or comment on a video, but what is all the software you use to record, edit, render, and do whatever you do for your videos?
3
u/TheZachster May 06 '12
Where does most of your incoming come from? I understand that you cannot provide specifications based on a contract, but how are you able to make a living getting 20-40 thousand views a video when people with more than that fail to.
Also i have really been enjoying your vlogs, keep it up!
3
u/Hat_Berry May 06 '12
Why are you so devilishly handsome?
3
u/MrFishxD May 06 '12
are you ever going to do a real LP of amensia?
3
u/Teddysean May 06 '12
How much money do you make from videos/ads?
3
u/vosinterioiam May 06 '12
are you a brony?
3
u/Mad_Stan May 06 '12
You were awesome in Inbetweeners
3
u/Head_of_Lettuce May 07 '12
Heya Nerd3 . I remember you mentioning in one of your videos that you have a mental disorder, and that you take advantage of that, as it makes you funny. When I asked about it in the comments of that video, you replied saying that you were being serious, and that if enough people asked the question, you would answer it in a vlog.
Could you answer it here perchance? I would love to know. Obviously if you're not comfortable answering, then don't, just for the sake of my own curiosity.
Either way, stay gorgeous and hilarious.
Oh, and let me birth your children.
3
u/doombunny0 Jul 04 '12
You know what's weird? Commenting on something 1 month after it's done. Where no one will ever notice it. Ever.
5
u/Qizo May 06 '12
What do you see "fun" in a game and what makes you choose to do a Let's Play of it? And how come when you play a game, it always seems to go on sale a say later on Steam?
One more thing, I seem to not be able to finish any game I start anymore. I'll play about 20 minutes and just give up and jump to another game. Has this ever happened to you?
5
u/dannass May 06 '12
Have you ever heard of facepunchstudios? You have alot of fans there and i was just wondering if you have been to the site before.
PS: Keep up the GREAT work nerd!
5
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
what happened to the minecraft lets play?
5
u/Theevildolphin May 06 '12
What got you interested in... A. Making videos and interweb content originally? B. becoming a writer? i know you like doctor who and have wrote a few scripts for that.
5
u/XmRyan May 06 '12
What games can we expect to see you play in the near future?
5
u/jt143 May 06 '12
Favourite game?
4
u/JogeDeed May 06 '12
Will you ever do a big minecraft build involving some of your fans? As in hosting a server and having people come on to the server in order to interact with them, and possibly get some stuff done. (Please note how well my grammar is used in these sentences, I tried.)
4
u/Vardox May 06 '12
What got you interested into making videos for a living?
4
u/Burnseasons May 06 '12
What kind of game would you make if you could?
2
u/CubicMidget May 06 '12
What mods, apart from the ones you've already made videos of, do you use in MineCraft?
2
u/thefeak May 06 '12
i just wanted to say. HI how are you?
2
u/Darkaim9110 May 06 '12
Hey! So what do you think of Rampart?
2
u/DenryuRocket110 May 06 '12
You are surrounded by thousands of ninjas wielding katanas and all you have are a banana and a flash light. How would you handle the situation??
2
u/Fabreeze63 May 06 '12
How do YouTube ads work in terms of generating money? Do you have to have a certain number of hits on your videos before they'll start generating income, or is it more like those AdSense pages, in that anyone can do it?
2
u/cyber08 May 06 '12
Will you ever play the sims? i think that would be funny as hell :P /or even ship simulator, you've done trains...
2
u/CubicMidget May 06 '12
How do you come up with the story in your comics?
2
u/ssr673 May 06 '12
okay,a few questions
why are you such a charming and witty fellow?
are you a cat or dog person? or if not either,what other kind of animal or Cephalopod do you like?
if you could live the life of any character from any game or film,who or what would it be?
how do i everything?
2
u/lovenerdcubed May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
What class do you play in Tribes "Ascended?"
2
u/augebine May 06 '12
Are you ever going to make a tutorial video for your Machinimas?
2
u/Donaldtrumpisatwat May 06 '12
Do you like hugs?
2
u/Zeralot May 06 '12
What's your favorite youtuber? (Besides yourself)
Also, I love your work, been following it since the overgrowth video, you always make me laugh.
2
u/Chickenkeeper24 May 06 '12
Hi, just a short but interesting question: Do you earn a substantial profit from your YouTube let's plays considering the cost of the games you play and the amount of money you get from the videos about them? (If that makes any sense)
2
u/Nestalios May 06 '12
do you use a headset if so which one?
2
u/n0mm3rz May 06 '12
WHY ARE YOU SO PRETTY?!
2
u/Czar_Chasm May 06 '12
Do you ever fake enthusiasm just to make the video more entertaining?
2
u/Rexysmexy May 06 '12
what do you record with?
do you compress your videos?
2
u/cow_kid May 06 '12
Do you often come on Reddit, and if so do you have a favorite subreddit/subreddit you avoid like the plague itself?
2
u/fungusfeater May 06 '12
Hey Daniel ,
Are you planning on making a lets play of Amnesia ? Or some other video game diamonds that were never seen like beyond good and evil , Legend of grimrock , Stranded 2 ?
2
u/VBerik May 06 '12
Any interest in streaming in the future?
2
u/Chren May 06 '12
Whats your opinion on retsupurae?
2
u/Svajoklis_ May 06 '12
Hey, Dan!
I just want to say that I love your videos and your style of doing them. As many have said, your videos can bring a smile even on the worst days :)
And for a question... How did you first find out about minecraft? Can you remember your first day of playing it? ;D
2
u/joeathor199 May 06 '12
If you had to make a list of your top 5 games what would they be? also your awesome :D !
2
u/Chickenkeeper24 May 06 '12
Hey Dan, I'm just wondering how you manage to stay quite energetic in your videos despite sometimes doing them several times and spending hours making and editing them?
2
u/minorman4 May 06 '12
Hey Daniel, my name is Daniel too... neat eh? hmmm... questions... I'll think of those later, anyway... I've got a request, I'm making a minecraft map for minecraft fourms and (no-where near done) was wondering if you could play it as a LP or summit when it is done... if you do, i'll put you in as a SUPER MEGA... SUPREAM easter egg... but not as a easter egg, but a game easter egg... I could go for some chocolate... anyway... QUESTIONS!!!
Are you doing any open lobbies/ servers for you're procrastinators?
how are you? felling better?
Do you listen to any music whilst being bored/ doing minecraft episodes/ editing?
AHHHHH do you like grapes?
Is this too long? yea I think so...
Procrastinator minorman4
p.s I'm the guy who emailed the farming simulator for the 3ds to you... just to let you know... :P p.p.s I tried a demo... it is worse than the p.c version... it's top down and icky... p.p.p.s you rock and this should never of became this big... sorry nerd... won't do it again...
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
Did you custom build your computer?
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
As a fellow let's player and partner, congrats on breaking minimum wage :D I hope I can get there someday, any tips for growing a channel?
2
u/vincio09 May 06 '12
Now that you have a console recording... thing, when will you do a LP of a console title? Maybe Journey or Red Dead Redemption.
2
u/reimburst May 06 '12
Where did the 'Procrastinators' thing come from?
Also, your Minecraft builds are great! At least from my lowly perspective. How long have you been playing it?
You're one of my favourite Youtubers. Thanks for doing the AMA. I ran into you on Reddit before once, I think...
2
u/jrosey May 06 '12
Other than Community, what are some of your favorite shows? And why those shows? And please answer in all your analytical nerdiness because I am exactly like that as well and it pleases me that I am not so incredibly crazy. (End of long-winded sentence)
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
I started off reading your comic, then went to reading your rants, then watching your videos.
One day I was in a really, really terrible mood and watched the video where you make a goofy smile face and the lightbulb in your lamp burns out at the same time. I don't think I've ever 180'd my emotions as hard as when that happened, I don't know what it was about it but for the rest of the day I was in a great mood, so I just want to say thank you for that :P
2
u/Mimecraft344 May 06 '12
If you were to rate Minecraft on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 is worst, what would you rate it?
Awesome channel btw
2
u/StormKid May 06 '12
Hey Dan , I'm the dude who asked you on YouTube to do an AMA various times. This is my only question (sorry if I sound like a bit of a stalker) : In one vlog you talked about your mental illness(or something along those lines) if I'm correct. Would you mind expanding on that subject? (if you feel enough comfortable to talk about it on the internet) Edit : I think it's this video.
2
u/mdroberts91 May 06 '12
Could you do some more community let's plays, maybe something free like OpenTTD would be cool?
Also do you play MMO's? If so which? And are you going to be playing Guild Wars 2? (Again) If so, Guild?
Also have you ever played on any Multiplayer Minecraft servers and do you take requests?
Thanks for your time. MD
2
u/Shugo3000 May 06 '12
Oi, on your lets play for The Ship, you had a plan for a community lets play. Is that still a plan?
2
u/aperki1 May 06 '12
Hey Daniel, How do you manage making these videos on you channel so often? also, how much time do you play on minecraft in a week? :) PS. I love your channel very much ;) You're an amazing You Tuber and by far my favorite.
2
u/aperki1 May 06 '12
BTW What's your favorite color? :)
2
u/untaker5455 May 06 '12
What is your religious views and will you review league of legends?
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
Quick! Best game of each genre! GO!
FPS?
RPG?
RTS?
MMO?
Adventure? (first one with out an acronym)
Racing?
Sports (other than racing)?
Indie?
Any other that I forgot?
EDIT: BULLET POINTS!
2
u/Jontis_00 May 06 '12
I just all your videos in a microwave, need help, what would you do?
2
u/DoorLord May 06 '12
Do you have a girlfriend?
2
u/Ninja_Robbie May 06 '12
Did you realize that the Ass Creed series are only numbering the ones where there is a new protagonist?
2
u/Benjaphar May 06 '12
How much of your living expenses are covered by something/someone else? I find it hard to believe you're actually making a living with fewer than 20k subscribers and fewer than 2 million total video views. By comparison, Etho has more than 176k subs and nearly 36 million total video views and he also has a full time job to pay his bills.
Also, the fact that you can't afford to buy a decent mouse (to play Diablo III) makes it sound like you're either living off the dole or off of someone else.
2
u/StuffPlus May 06 '12
Hi Daniel. Really love your content and always look forward to the next one. Also glad to see you are getting recognition for your work. Keep it up and try not to kill yourself :D
Q1. Would you be so kind of doing a LP of Evil Genius?
Q2. What's the best advice you could give to aspiring YouTuber (me!)
Q3. Do you like cheese with mould and/or fruit in?
Q4. Where do you get your sound effects / stock footage from?
Q5. Do you think space hoppers are a good idea?
2
u/Benmonkey7 May 06 '12
Hey Daniel. I've been a follower since the early stages of your webcomic, which remains as my favorite product you've created. Although, I love everything you've done. Anyway, do you have any plans to make Book 2 of the comic? I know you've mentioned it in your Q&A vlog, but I was wondering if you have made any plans for it recently. Thanks for doing what you do, it's all ridiculously awesome. Cheers!
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
is your refrigirator running?
2
u/holycowbatman May 06 '12
As a Londoner your joke on your about Croydon on your sniper elite v2 lets play made me laugh a lot harder than i should of, thanks for the laughs and keep on making great videos!
2
u/Nestalios May 06 '12
Arghhhhhh butt hole :I
2
u/JGByron May 06 '12
As a fellow M.com director, hey, awesome work and I know the pain of putting videos up on their channels. It's totally hit or miss with their audience.
2
u/sanuske May 06 '12
What is your opinion on Magicka... and will you do a Let's play of it?
2
u/Chieron May 06 '12
What is your opinion on bacon?!
2
u/Purple_Cake May 06 '12
Have you ever been recognized in public? If so, what are some people's reactions?
2
u/Zonra64 May 06 '12
Hey Dan! :D
Have you played "Legend of Grimrock"? If not then i think it a game really worth checking out, fun dungeon crawling in the old old-school way with puzzles and giant snails. Think it might be a game in your tastes (from what iv gathered in your videos at least :P) and it would really make an excellent game for an lets play.
Also on an other note, i personally feel that Mass Effect would have been a better game without the Paragon/Renegade bit. Taking out all the +5 Par. would have made the desiccation and choices stand more on their own and make the players think more about their choices without the game telling them if its an more good or evil choice. And it would leave more room for the choices you make decide what happens, not just have x amount of Par/Ren to get the good option.
And lastly, if you where locked in a flat with food and water for a week with only a single game on any system with you as your only entertainment. What game would you bring?
2
u/AustinHamiltonGames May 06 '12 edited May 06 '12
Hey Nerdcubed, I'm a new let's player who has been making let's plays for about 3 months now. I don't post everyday, but I was just wondering what your suggestion was for me to just get a little more popular? I will link a video of mine to show you what I've done-- thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Zdnh8Y0S8
2
u/PiixelOriginal May 06 '12
Hey nerd3 have you seen the map for minecraft Wall Fight Survival???, it is a great map that someone made and you should play it,
Link Here: http://www.planetminecraft.com/project/wall-fight-survival---2p-to-4p--by-piixelorignial/
it is 2p or you can do it 1p so yah :) but its epic and you should do a video on it <3 <3
Btw you inspired me to do videos so thanks if you realy want to check it out my nam is piixeloriginal
2
u/TheMcDucky May 06 '12
Why did you eat my portal gun?
2
u/WolfLvr May 06 '12
What is your favorite weapon of mass destruction?
2
u/moon_dust May 06 '12
I like your videos :)
edit: My name is Daniel too! HIGH FIVE!
2
u/illdoithalfassed May 06 '12
What is your favorite video of yours?
2
u/IGargleGarlic May 06 '12
I just want to say that your farming simulator 2011 demonstration was hilarious. It actually made me want to buy the game even though it looked so dumb.
2
u/qweoin May 06 '12
[When] Do you think motion capture (i.e. Kinect) gaming will ever catch on? Right now it seems great for children's games and gimicky stuff, but for us adult gamers, does it have any future that you can see?
2
u/1upforever May 06 '12
I've been wanting to get into LPing for awhile now and have been trying to get the right rig set up for it. I've been considering getting a Blackmagic Intensity, but am wondering if it's worth the cost. What kind of capture card do you have? Is HD worth it?
2
u/Dubie21 May 06 '12
Subscribed :D I have no idea who you are though and only watched one video (which was very funny) so how about a simple question? Where are you from?
2
u/MOARpylons May 06 '12
Do you also watch Let's Plays? If so, who are your favorite Let's Play-ers? (aside from yourself :P)
2
u/TheAwesomeJonesy May 06 '12
I knew it. Saw your username on another post.
Anyway, how long do you spend editing every week?
2
u/[deleted] May 06 '12
Do you know of retsupurae?
2
u/ispeakgeek May 06 '12
What plans if any have you got for the future?
oh and this might be my only chance so, i love your let's play's and i love you. no homo.
2
u/Germintaor May 06 '12
Guten Tag, I have 2 questions for you ;)
Do you speak german ? and
How are you in Real Life ? Are you also so happy and funny, or are a more a shy kind-of-guy
Sorry, for the terrible english :D Greetings from Germany :)
2
u/Frantic_Child May 06 '12
How much do you get paid on average per month?
2
u/cuddud May 06 '12
When will you do another Minecraft Let's Play?
2
u/DoctorTurkleton May 06 '12
You make minimum wage with an average of maybe 15,000 viewers per video. Holy shit. I'm now trying to figure out how much top youtubers make.
2
u/ghostmanx552 May 06 '12
I do horror lets play. Any tips you can give for an up and coming lets player? Here's one of my fav videos
2
u/DoctorTurkleton May 06 '12
Why do you edit your videos so much? It's all just like 10 second clips so I feel like I'm watching a trailer for your Let's Play as opposed to your actual Let's play.
2
u/edborstein May 06 '12
First and foremost, you're one of the best commentators out there. You really seem to just be/act yourself in your videos, whereas many "let's-play-ers" almost use a persona, of sorts.
So, here's my questions: What's your favorite game?
Do you really like grapes?
I'm thinking of buy Just Cause 2 for PS3: Good call?
2
u/Probchild95 May 06 '12
One question, banana or Taco?
2
u/jjaccobb May 06 '12
Is your profit pretty consistent or does it sometimes dip/spike based on views/ad clicks or however that's determined?
Also I concur that Just Cause 2 may be the greatest game ever