Recently, I feel like our unboxing videos have created some negative conversation. I have heard things like “I hate unboxings!”, “They are the laziest form of content!”, “Please do less unboxings and more playthroughs and reviews!” and so on. I just don’t get it. Like any media, you can consume what you like and prefer. You don’t have to watch unboxing videos if you don’t want to. Just skip over those! But, these unboxing videos serve a useful purpose in our hobby….namely, to show people the contents of the $80+ game that they are trying to decide if they will buy or not and also promoting the hobby and lesser known publishers. In this edition of The Love/Hate Relationship, I want to share with you what I like about unboxing videos, both watching them and doing them, and what I (or others) don’t like so much.
Love
For me personally, I really like unboxing videos. I like them for several reasons. One of the main things that I like about them is that they do tap into my curiosity and the thrill of anticipation for what is contained inside the box. Yes, I can read what the contents are in the box and even see pictures of the components on various outlets such as Board Game Greek and even the publishers own websites but doing the video, touching the components and feeling their quality, I really connect with that. I also like them because it is a bit like opening a present. The videos provide somewhat authentic and unfiltered insights into what’s inside, and the videos allow viewers to experience it secondhand without any risk or financial commitment. It just costs a few minutes of your time to watch the videos rather that plopping down that $80+. Also, sometimes we just want something new and our shopping bug kicks in and we just cannot help ourselves. Unboxing videos offer a substitute for this experience and can satisfy the desire for new things vicariously and also provides a form of entertainment that can be relaxing and joyful.
One of the final things that I love about unboxing videos is that they give publishers a bit of exposure in the market and share the contents and somewhat the mechanics of these games that many people would not be able to experience or even may not have found about save it was for the unboxing. There are a lot of publishers in the world, and even with wargaming there are a lot of different people trying to get their games out there for the wargaming hobby to experience and enjoy. The average gamer doesn’t have the financial capability, time or ability to get each and every single new release. That means that lots of great games go unnoticed and are never discovered. I think of some of the really good games from smaller publishers that we have played, such as the Battles of the Old Northwest Series from High Flying Dice Games, that are great games with fantastic art that lots of people don’t know about. I am proud to say that our unboxing videos, and video reviews and other content in general, have helped to share these more obscure titles with the hobby and broadened their reach.
Hate
Now that you see what I love about these unboxing videos, let’s take a look at what I hate. Hate is such a strong word for me but there are many things that are very displeasing about the medium of unboxing videos. First off, they can be very dry and boring and ultimately unfulfilling, as often times the focus is on the packaging itself and the graphical presentation instead of on the game play, mechanics and components. I get that this is very off putting! The concept of unboxing videos also promote and lead to excessive consumerism and are seen as a hype machine with no real meat on the bones. Well, here at The Players’ Aid, I don’t think that we do these unboxing videos like that. I try to familiarize myself with the game, its rules and components, although sometimes I don’t have the time to do a deep dive to learn more, and really give an overview of the game and what it is trying to do. I know that lots of unboxings out there are bumbling, shallow and very quick looks at the contents and this can truly be unfulfilling. But, I think that the benefit outweighs this negative side.
I also know that we as content creators do a poor job sometimes of enunciating, speaking clearly, properly pronouncing words and messing up parts of the history associated with the game we are sharing. I also am a bit annoyed by the constant stuttering and saying of “ummm” and “ahhh” which are called vocal disfluencies or filler words and also sometimes provide annoying ASMR-style sounds like nail tapping on boxes, banging of the camera (I am guilty of this as a I move around the camera) and awkward pauses as our minds try to catch up with what we are seeing. Many viewers find the experience of an unboxing extremely unsatisfying because they want to see the game in action rather than just see it opened, and they can be frustrated by creators who don’t provide the information they’re looking for in an initial unboxing.
I also get somewhat frustrated as the creator of these unboxing videos when they don’t perform as well as expected and just don’t garner the views that I think they should. Sometimes a specific game just doesn’t have interest for people and they don’t watch because of that. I tend to be let down and feel that my time and effort in doing the unboxing was wasted and I could have spent that doing something else like clipping counters, reading rules or even playing a game.
Most of our unboxings though get between 800-1,000 views in the first week to 10 days of being posted on the channel. Then, over time, they garner 1,000’s of additional views. I checked out some of our earlier unboxing videos and they have views numbers such as 4,558 (Triumph & Tragedy 2nd Printing from GMT Games) posted in 2016, 3,917 (Target for Today from Legion Wargames) posted in 2017, 3,015 (Target for Tonight from Legion Wargames) posted in 2020, 5,708 (Combat Commander: Pacific from GMT Games) posted in 2020 and the granddaddy of them all 5,559 (Armies & Alliances: Arnhem ’44 from Cadet Games) posted in 2025. So they do get views. Someone is watching and I would think that they are watching because they want to not because they have to.
In summary, I do understand some of the concerns shared by people on the concept of unboxing videos. But, I still find that they are a beneficial offering on our channel and they do garner a lot of views so many people do like them and find them useful. I would argue that not every form of media or every offering is for every gamer and if you are not interested then just don’t watch.
What are your thoughts on unboxing videos? What do you love and hate about them? Are they a useful tool in the hobby?
-Grant
The Players' Aid 
Oh I agree on useless, unless there is follow up on more details i. a reasonable amount of time. For example, for some reason, one several years old appeared in my inbox recently for unknown reasons. It was a game on East Africa in WW I. Everyone was excited to buy it based on how great it looked. All of the comments were from that date. I went and checked out the game on Boardgamegeek and the designer is dead and the game is missing rules that make it unplayable and useless such that no one should buy it. No follow up, or anything. Spending even $1 dollar on the game was spending too much, even though the inside the box “looked fantastic” unless the idea was to unknowingly contribute to designer’s future funeral costs.
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What game was it? Do you remember?
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Found it in my browser history. Schutztruppe, Heia Safari, 1914-18. Here is the BGG review, the only one in fact: East African Safari | BoardGameGeek
“There are a few problems to the game, and I suspect that if the designer had lived long enough some of these may have been handled better. Moreover, there is no listing of playtesters, so I suspect that it didn’t adequately go through that process.”
“Regarding combat, there is nothing in the rules stating whether or not it is mandatory, only that hexes to be attacked must be marked in advance before any combat is resolved, and that all of these must be attacked.” Maybe a seance can resolve this minor detail.
“There are aspects of the rules that are unclear. This problem shows up particularly with naval combat. The rules state that the attacker selects one boat and attacks a defending vessel. What is not explained is can a defending vessel be attacked more than once by multiple boats. Moreover, what happens to the attacking boats once the attack is complete. Can they move and return to a port or another coastal hex in the lake, or do they remain in place after the combat? It would appear the latter, but this is not clearly stated.”
And on. I wonder how many people that said they were buying the game based on the unboxing actually did? And if so, did they actually ever play it? It has a high ranking on the geek but no indication that anyone except the one reviewer has actually spent any time playing it. This is one broken game.
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I own it but have not yet played it.
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“Unboxing” videos are fun. It’s like Christmas! Obviously, people should do more research into the game if they are contemplating buying it. Sure, it’s not my “favorite” set of videos and it’s not the most informative and there’s lots of other PlayersAid videos I like better….but, un-boxing is fun and light and people should take it for what it is.
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We try to keep them lite and fairly quick although mine tend to be a bit too long.
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They’re fine. Keep doing them. As you say, if you don’t like them, don’t watch them. I think cat videos are stupid, but 10 million people seem to love them. Do what you like, ignore what you don’t. Anyway, I enjoy your unboxings, which are informative enough for me to make them worthwhile
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I for one find your unboxing videos INCREDIBLY useful and I look at them far more regularly than a play through… This is because features such as map design, box sturdiness and component quality components, are incredibly important to me, but so is a gameplay brief overview, and I can get ALL that from the unboxing videos. A couple of examples would be helpful: I hate, and as a practical matter, will not buy games without sturdy components (e.g., a paper map) or too many small lose pieces (too many counters or other pieces) – I get all the pertinent information I need from your unboxing videos; Also, I love states of siege games, but not all are equal – I tend to like the history flash card experience (e.g., Soviet Dawn, Malta Besieged, Ottoman Eclipse…) over games that don’t feature that (e.g., most R. Ben Madison games) – These are my preferences, but I can get all that (other pertinent gameflow features), and more from an unboxing video…..
Keep ’em coming, I for one find them incredible useful (i.e., often more so than the play throughs, although I do look at the latter too when I am on the fence about a game….)
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Unboxing videos seem like the perfect opportunity to show the footprint of the components because quite a few games require space for more than just a map: GTS series, AMFS/The Rock of Chickamauga, GBACW series just to name a few.
For some gamers table space isn’t an issue but for others it ends the purchase decision.
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Another vote for “If you wanted more than seeing the game pieces, you screwed up when you clicked to watch.”
Grant — you are way too nice to your critics.
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Well you know what Bobby Knight said about critics? I won’t say that but everyone has the right to their opinion and their tastes. I won’t begrudge someone that.
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I take Grant’s advice, and mostly don’t watch them. But, I don’t begrudge them. My expectation is that if you eliminated a dozen of them, you’d get maybe one of something else; I assume they are easier and quicker to make.
There was one time when an unboxing video did sell me a game all by itself: Shakos’ Border States. When I first heard of it, I made some erroneous assumptions about what it would be. I figured a European designer had missed the point. The border States were important in the early war, but not the most important factor of the whole war. I expected something like a very small reskin of Twilight Struggle. Then I saw the video, and the battle cards, and I said “hey now.” I bought the game and enjoyed it. “The Border State” are mostly a device to keep score score of how the war is going, and they provide another layer to consider about which battles to contest.
So Grant, you do you. I will happily watch what you and Alexander produce. My favorites are the Monthly Updates or car videos when you just wax eloquent on the topic du jour. You have interesting points of view and great conversational chemistry.
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You are correct Matt that they are simpler to make and we use them as a filler in between bigger videos like reviews, playthroughs, debriefs and interviews. We simply don’t have enough time to play more games and solely do reviews and playthroughs. This is a very part time gig fit in between our jobs, families, church activities and other hobbies such as reading, sports and video games.
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Oh for crying out loud….getting tired about people complaining on everything. As you say, just scroll on to the next video. While I’m not a major fan either, if the game is of interest to me, I’m going to watch it, especially because your unboxing videos are very thorough. Bottom line–it’s your channel, and putting videos out is quite a bit of work for not a whole lot of compensation. The complainers are free to create their own content.
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I rarely watch unboxing videos, but when I do it is because I’m potentially interested in purchasing the game and I just want some advance recon about the quality of the components (the map quality – paper/mounted; the heft of the counters, the sturdiness of the player aids).
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Honestly Grant, it troubles me that a few Haters, totally in the minority, have caused the angst that requires such a detailed response from you. As for them, they can scroll past if they don’t want to watch them. …don’t ruin it for everyone who like the videos…. they can just shut up and move on.
Your website is highly successful and ‘to thyself be true’. Continue to put them out, personally I look at them if I’m on the fence about buying a game and your comments have often caused me to pull the trigger…or not. I, and many others like me appreciate what you do.
Keep up the good work.
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Thank you. I do try to use this type of thing as fuel to put commentary out there to create some discussion and this post has already generated plenty. I am human. I do take criticism hard sometimes. But, I won’t stop doing what it is we are doing as I love it, I know it provides some good information to prospective buyers and also gives exposure to the “little guys” out there who don’t get much coverage.
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Like you stated, if they do not like unboxing videos then they can scroll past them; this entitlement culture is out of control.
Continue doing what you and Alexander like to do — that is why I watch your videos (and now have a collection of over 150…) and read your content, and I suspect that is why most of us follow you. We come for you and the manner in which you provide content; it is not about pleasing everyone, it is about being real and you both have that in spades.
BTW, I do like and watch your unboxing videos — it provides a better feel for the game at the outset than a dry entry on BGG.
Keep on doing what you are doing!
Cheers,
James
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I sometimes open an unboxing video and jump forward until I see images of the counters and the map, and more importantly a page or two of the rules.
I have 20/40 corrected vision with severe nystagmus and seeing these elements tell me how difficult or inaccessible a game will be for my vision.
I get the information I need in less than 2 minutes. Then it’s on to research the game.
I don’t care at all about the content creator’s narration because he or she has no way to know what elements will work for me.
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I like them because I put a lot of stock in the “look and feel” of a game. So if the game is visually appealing, I’ll take the next step and check its weight and parts of a playthrough.
But getting a peek at the board, manual, and chits/pieces is very helpful.
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While I do like your unboxing videos for the reasons you state, I think they could add a bit more value, especially given the length of the videos. I would love to see the basic setup on the table after unboxing to get a sense of the overall quality and use of table space. Also, to see how it looks when it’s set up. That can be surprisingly difficult to find sometimes!
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Hhhm. I like the concept.
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Unboxing videos have little value with known, quality publishers. Since I am not worrying about the quality of components with a GMT or Flying Pig game, it’s a whole lot easier for me to look at some photos on BGG of the content if I am interested, rather than sitting through a several-minute video.
And since they take less time to create, YouTube is becoming saturated with unboxing videos.
I like the suggestion that you show what the game looks like setup on the table. That said, put me in the camp of “fewer but more in-depth videos”. But people vote with clicks, and I know that I am in the minority.
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I only watch unboxing videos of my game designs.
It’s amusing to watch somebody tentatively open the box or ziploc and pull the components out one by one, remarking on their colours and making guesses as to their uses or portent.
Wrong answers only fellas, it’s funnier that way!
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People who don’t like watching unboxing videos can….simply not watch them!
They’re clearly titled as unboxing videos, there’s no accidental views happening.
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Well said. “Accidental Views” is a great statement.
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A little late on posting to this topic, but: Never groan, grouse, bitch, or moan about ANYBODY who provides a service or contribution of value to the group/community on a VOLUNTEER basis. Anyone who does is just a dim bulb.
As mentioned multiple times already, if ya don’t like unboxing videos, don’t click the link! Seriously!
If you contribute money to the channel, and you aren’t “getting the bang for your buck,” then share your views privately with the conent creator. Save your 15 minutes of infamy for more pressing matters afflicting humanity.
Grant: You and Alexander don’t change a thing…unless you want or need to. Just keep smiling at the detractors. The “product” is just fine.
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Hi Grant,
Let me first say how much I enjoy the videos you and Alex produce. The content is informative and you guys have a great rapport with each other. I’ve only been back into the hobby for a year after a 40+ year absence and YouTube videos such as yours have helped me get up to speed with what’s out there.
Counter clipping? Plexi? Tweezers? What’s that all about!
As for unboxing videos, I find helpful the ones where the presenter has taken the time to make themselves familiar with the contents of the box before filming the actual unboxing.
I get frustrated watching the presenter rip off the plastic film and then fumble their way through the contents and not knowing what some of it is for, especially when it is obvious to me at least.
Unboxing videos add information that might not be present on researching other sources such as the publisher’s web site or BGG. For example, does the box include the scenario variants from a copy of C3i magazine, or do I have to buy the magazine for the new/revised counters and rules?
My two cents. Wait, you can’t get those any longer!
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Hi Grant,
Let me first say how much I enjoy the videos you and Alex produce. The content is informative and you guys have a great rapport with each other. I’ve only been back into the hobby for a year after a 40+ year absence and YouTube videos such as yours have helped me get up to speed with what’s out there.
Counter clipping? Plexi? Tweezers? What’s that all about!
As for unboxing videos, I find helpful the ones where the presenter has taken the time to make themselves familiar with the contents of the box before filming the actual unboxing.
I get frustrated watching the presenter rip off the plastic film and then fumble their way through the contents and not knowing what some of it is for, especially when it is obvious to me at least.
Unboxing videos add information that might not be present on researching other sources such as the publisher’s web site or BGG. For example, does the box include the scenario variants from a copy of C3i magazine, or do I have to buy the magazine for the new/revised counters and rules?
My two cents. Wait, you can’t get those any longer!
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