I’ve never been the biggest fan of shortform content, but I can’t deny its impact. If you’re just starting out on your content creation journey as a gaming creator, you’ve probably wondered: “Do I really need to make short videos too?” I get the hesitation. They can feel a bit throwaway, or maybe just not your style. But if your goal is growth—especially in 2025—it’s hard to ignore how powerful shortform content has become.
Platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok have completely changed how discoverability works. The barrier to entry is low, the potential reach is sky-high, and the algorithm is built to get your content in front of new eyes. It might not be everyone’s favorite format, but working some shortform content into your pipeline can make a big difference.
Let’s break down why that is, and how to make it work for you—without sacrificing quality or burning yourself out.
Shortform Content Is Built for Discoverability
If you’re wondering how to grow on TikTok or asking yourself are YouTube Shorts worth it, the answer comes down to one thing: visibility.
Shortform platforms are built on recommendation engines. While YouTube’s main platform often shows content from channels viewers are already subscribed to or have engaged with before, TikTok and Shorts operate differently. They rely heavily on algorithmic discovery, meaning your content has a real shot at being shown to completely new audiences—even if you have zero followers. What matters most isn’t your sub count, but how people engage with your video once it hits their feed.
For new gaming creators, this is huge. It’s a chance to get your name, your voice, and your content style in front of a fresh audience. And the more people who see your stuff, the higher the chance that someone follows you, clicks your links, or checks out your longform content.
You Don’t Need to Go All-In—But You Should Post Some
Let me be clear: I’m not saying you have to become a Shorts-only or TikTok-first creator. Far from it. If your passion is longform videos, Twitch streams, or in-depth YouTube guides, stick with it. That’s where your real value and depth probably shine through.
But throwing a few shortform clips into your content pipeline doesn’t mean betraying your brand. It just means you’re adapting to the reality of how the current platforms work.
Think of Shorts and TikToks as the trailer for your movie. They’re the bite-sized version of you—quick moments that showcase your vibe, your gameplay, or your humor. And if you’re strategic about it, they can funnel people into your bigger content where you can really connect with your audience.
What Makes a Good Shortform Clip?
Just because a video is short doesn’t mean it should be low-effort. One of the biggest mistakes I see is creators posting random gameplay with no real hook. Ask yourself honestly: Would anyone who doesn’t already know me actually want to watch this?
That’s the bar.
Before you hit publish on any short, go through a quick mental checklist:
- Does this make someone laugh?
- Is it genuinely entertaining?
- Does it teach something useful or unexpected?
- Is it relatable or surprising?
- Does it showcase something cool, impressive, or uniquely you?
If the answer to one or more of those is yes, then you’re probably onto something. If not? Maybe save that clip for the archive and move on to the next.
Shortform Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
One of the nice things about shortform content is that it doesn’t need to be a major production. You’re not scripting a 20-minute video with custom assets, B-roll, and transitions. A great clip can be as simple as a funny in-game moment, a spicy hot take, or a slick highlight with a good caption.
If you’re already editing longform content, you’re most of the way there. Most gaming creators on PC are already using tools like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Vegas to cut their videos — and those same tools can easily be used to create shortform content. There are also tools that use AI to help you quickly create shortform videos from your existing content, or even allow you to add a vertical layout in OBS (like Aitum) to capture vertical clips while streaming. It’s less about learning something new and more about rethinking how you structure and present your clips. Pulling a funny moment, a clutch play, or a helpful tip from a longer video and turning it into a 30-second vertical post is a quick, low-effort way to get more mileage out of the content you’re already making.
If you stream, start clipping funny or hype moments. If you make longform videos, pull out a snappy 30–60 second segment and repackage it as a short. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—you just need to make sure it rolls.
It’s a Numbers Game (To a Point)
Here’s the blunt truth: the more content you create, and the more platforms you post to, the more likely you are to grow. Every video is a lottery ticket. And shortform content lets you get more of those tickets out into the world—quickly.
But don’t let that logic push you into a mindset where you’re spamming out half-baked videos just to chase views. Always keep quality front and center. Yes, shortform can be fast, but it should still be good. Treat your time and your audience’s time with respect. People can tell when something is lazy or low-effort.
Quantity helps, but quality still wins.
Don’t Burn Yourself Out
If you’re already juggling streams, YouTube uploads, and social media, the idea of adding TikToks and Shorts to your list might sound overwhelming. And trust me, I get that. The goal here isn’t to push you to do everything—it’s to encourage you to build something sustainable.
Start small. Post one short a week. Clip highlights from your stream. Batch edit a few videos on a Sunday night and schedule them out. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be consistent enough to give yourself a shot at discovery.
And if you ever feel like it’s too much, pause and reassess. Your mental health and creative energy matter more than any algorithm.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about growing as a gaming creator in 2025, shortform content needs to be on your radar. You don’t have to love it. You don’t even have to make it your main focus. But sprinkling in some well-thought-out Shorts or TikToks can make a real difference in how quickly your channel grows and how many new people discover your content.
So next time you pull off a sick play, make a hilarious mistake, or explain something in a way that clicks—clip it. Turn it into a 60-second short. Share it with the world.
Because you never know who might see it, and who might stick around because of it.
GoLiveGear 
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