Do you prefer Video or Written Reviews?
We want to hear what you like most!
Since we started our board game and card game video reviews in the fall of 2009, our videos reviews have received over 170,000 views and people from over 140 countries have visited our site. But what we love most is to hear from so many wonderful people all over the world that share our love of playing games with their families.
The feedback we’ve received about how our reviews have helped people find great board games for their families to enjoy together is very encouraging.
But we’re in a quandry
For the first time last month, we posted a party game review of Rollick and Reverse Charades without a video. Up until that point, our reviews have always been done as video reviews and then we supplement the videos with short write-ups (which don’t cover everything in the video – like how to play – but do provide some summary thoughts.)
So we’d like to know what you prefer – video reviews or written reviews.
We know that videos are great ways to show what a game is really like. They can give a better taste of the components and flow of the games. But because of the length of time it takes to produce the video reviews, and our crazy schedules with 4 growing kids in many activities, we’re debating about doing more that are just written reviews (without a video). We’d still do video reviews once in a while, but not every time.
So our question is – how important are the videos to you?
Would a written review be as good for helping you determine if a game would be right for your family?
We still have a large stack of games on our “to be reviewed” shelf and we could post reviews more frequently if we just did written reviews. Of course, the whole reason we started this endeavor was because of the videos. So if the videos are where you get the most value out of our site, please let us know and we’ll keep publishing them (it just may not be one per week like we kept up for over a year).
So please take our poll to let us know what you like:
How competitive are you?
On a scale from 1 to 10, rate how competitive you are with 10 being ultra-competitive and 1 being “who cares”.
- 1 (2%)
- 2 (2%)
- 3 (6%)
- 4 (4%)
- 5 (7%)
- 6 (10%)
- 7 (18%)
- 8 (20%)
- 9 (13%)
- 10 (19%)
Loading ...And by all means, if these poll options don’t cover what you like about our site, add your comments below or send us a message from the About Us page.
I tweeted this out on twitter for you and got a few replies via twitter… 3-4 saying they prefer written reviews. They reason that it’s easier to skim written than video which allows people to check out every post rather than ignore it because there isn’t enough time.
Personally, I agree. I don’t have time for podcasts or videos… I read/skim fast and consume a lot of content in written form.
Kevin – thank you for your comments and the additional feedback from your twitter responses. It’s very good to get the input.
In general, I PREFER written reviews. They can be consumed much faster, and are easier to navigate.
I like video reviews primarily for the “how to play”, and will only view them if I’m already interested in a game.
Dude – thank you for your comment and distinction between when and why you view / read reviews.
My general pattern is to watch the video review, then if I’m interested or think it will work for my family I will read the written review to see if there’s any additional insight to be gained.
There are two main reasons I prefer the video reviews. The salient one is that a good video review conveys the feeling/flow of a game more effectively than a written review can. To me how a game plays (flow-wise not necessarily a strict rules interpretation) is paramount to deciding who may like the game and who can handle the game-play (age-wise). I greatly appreciate you’re children’s presence in the reviews as it helps me see how the game is understood by various ages. (Although I wouldn’t complain if you elaborated more on this aspect…)
The second reason is that I often use your reviews to introduce games to my wife and kids. While my 8 year old would be willing to read a written review, there is no way I’d get my wife or the younger kids to do so. Furthermore, once I’ve purchased the game your video reviews have always provided a sufficient rules explanation for them (and me) that I rarely have to describe more than a few finer points from the rulebook before we can start playing.
With all that said, I can fully understand the time commitment required to produce the video reviews and the desire to repurpose some of that scarce family time. Perhaps a blended approach would be best, whether that means you only do video reviews of games that are lacking in video reviews already made by others or of only the games that the you feel you have the most to offer (family insight) compared to other reviewers. Whatever you decide, I’d like to say thank you for your efforts. (I must admit my wife wouldn’t be as appreciative if she realized you were solely responsible for over 10 game purchases, and several more on my the “waiting to buy” list… but the kids and I enjoy them immensely)
Yossarian – thank you so much for your descriptive comments. It’s very helpful to hear.
And I completely understand how that “waiting to buy” list can expand…
When I am looking into a game, I will always go to a video first. It is just easier for me to get the gist of the game and decide if we will like it. The written reviews full of pictures are helpful too.
I love your videos and look forward to seeing the new ones. But, that being said, your written review of Rollick and Reverse Charades was the first review that encouraged me to email you. So, I guess it all boils down to a good review is a good review. And your reviews are good. Thank you!
Kathy – thanks for your comments and input. We’re glad that you find our reviews helpful – and we hope to keep publishing good reviews so you can find good games for your family and friends.
I generally prefer written reviews; the only video reviews I ever watch, for the most part, are Scott’s reviews explaining how to play complex games.
I will not watch video reviews. Nothing personal, but I can speed read an entire review and get the gist of it in a few seconds and then decide if its worth reading in detail.
I can’t do the same with video reviews.