What is the ideal length for gameplay videos in the Let's Play niche?

From my experience with a small Let's Play channel, I found that a coherent 35-minute video often performs better than splitting it into two shorter 18-minute episodes. Viewers may not return for the second part, and they might find the first part lacking context. After experimenting, I discovered that my audience preferred longer videos, so I adjusted my length based on their feedback.

I strive for videos around 20 minutes that tell a good story—both the game's narrative and an overarching video narrative. It's crucial for me to cut out the boring parts, like grinding or gathering, to maintain the flow. A 35-minute video can absolutely work if it keeps the audience engaged throughout, but I always prioritize storytelling.

In my gameplay videos, I usually aim for around 15-30 minutes, but I cut my recordings at the 1-hour mark because I think that's a reasonable limit. I find that most people don’t want to watch something longer than that. However, it's important to remember that the final cut is often much shorter, so I still have room to create engaging content within that timeframe.

I believe that focusing on a cohesive narrative is key. When I record, I set a clear goal for what I want to achieve in the video, and I let the length be dictated by that goal. For me, longer videos can be great because they allow for a more complete story, and I've noticed that some viewers enjoy longer content, especially if it's engaging enough to keep them watching.