YouTube Millionaires: VintageBeef Encourages Creators To “Be Yourself”

Welcome to YouTube Millionaires, where we profile channels that have recently crossed the one million subscriber mark. There are channels crossing this threshold every week, and each has a story to tell about YouTube success. Read previous installments of YouTube Millionaires here.

Like many other gaming channels, VintageBeef is centered around Minecraft, but the man behind it isn’t afraid to mix things up. Beyond the blocky smash hit, the Toronto-based channel’s other Let’s Play subjects include everything from AAA titles (like Grand Theft Auto V) to acclaimed indie hits (like The Forest). Three years after its launch, VintageBeef–which is run by a man known only as Daniel and partnered with BroadbandTV–has passed a million subscribers. Here’s what Daniel had to say about it:

Tubefilter: How do you feel about having one million subscribers and what do you have to say to your fans?

VintageBeef: It’s still unbelievable to me that so many people enjoy what I do. I would have never thought that this would ever happen back when I first started a few years ago. Of course, I had aspirations, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine 1 million subscribers. To all my fans, all I have to say is thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

TF: You’re only one of thousands of YouTubers who play and record Minecraft games; how do you think you managed to attract such a big following for your particular Minecraft-related shows and set yourself apart?

VB: I think I’ve managed to attract such a large following for Minecraft-related shows because I genuinely enjoy playing the game. I am not the most technical or the best builder or the greatest PVPer but I really enjoy playing the game and I think that shows.

TF: How did it feel to be invited by Guude onto his MindCrack server and do you think that affected your rise to 1 million subscribers?

VB: It felt surreal to be invited…I had been a huge fan so I had always hoped, but never actually expected it. I definitely think it had a positive effect on growing my channel early on. The server was one of very few adult-oriented servers around and a more mature audience gravitated towards it. I was fortunate enough to be on it at the time and integral in its growth.

TF: In the description for your first Steve vs. Steve video, which now has over 7 million views, you said it took “a lot of work.” Can you tell us exactly how long it took to make that, and did the process become any faster once you made more?

VB: I couldn’t even tell you how long it took, it was a ridiculous amount of time though. I had never done anything like that and the thought

of it made me a little hesitant. It took hours of recording to get those 4 minutes. Multiple takes of each scene. Lots of planning. Lots of patience. In the end I’m very happy with how it turned out and things have gotten slightly easier over time. The addition of multiple “actors” has helped tremendously.

TF: How did the Mindcrack Prank Wars get started?

VB: The Mindcrack Prank Wars got started with JSano19 and Guude. I believe JSano stole all of Guude’s supples and hid them. Guude kind of went a little mad and searched high and low for his things. Eventually things were sorted out and Guude got his revenge. Over the course of time, the pranks were no longer limited to Guude and JSano and everyone else on the server started to get involved.

TF: Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft are obviously your most popular videos with your fans. But what kinds of Let’s Plays do you like watching in your free time?

VB: I still enjoy watching Minecraft let’s plays the most. I like a laid back approach to the game, nothing too technical or intense. Nothing too fast paced, either. I would probably say that Kurt’s “Far Lands or Bust” series is my favorite to watch. Nothing ever gets done, other than walking in one direction, but the overall atmosphere and commentary style keeps me interested.

TF: Do you see yourself doing YouTube the rest of your life, and why or why not?

VB: I see myself doing YouTube for as long as I can. Whether or not that’s the rest of my life is really out of my control. I love doing it and enjoy the challenge. I love trying new things, and sharing my game experiences with the viewers. I can’t see that changing in the near future.

TF: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own gaming channel?

VB: Every time I get asked this question, I always say the same thing. Just be yourself. Enjoy the games you play. Don’t play a game because it’s the latest trend. Just play what you want. If you do that, your enjoyment and attitude towards the game will shine through and people will see that.

TF: What’s next for your channel?

VB: More of the same really. I want to continue to play Minecraft as well as many other titles that interest me. I want to continue to create Steve v. Steve episodes, more frequently than I have been. And I want to try new things. I have ideas that have been on the backburner for years and I would love to put them out there for all to see.

On Deck (channels that will soon reach one million subscribers): Smooth McGroove, ThatcherJoeVlogs, Vikkstar123