Can Someone Please Explain the Appeal of Build Videos?

I wouldn't be able to build if it wasn't for build videos. My early sims had houses missing roofs etc as I couldn't understand how all the tools worked. Build how to videos taught me the basics and watching other builds gives me inspiration on the endless possibilities of build mode. I have learnt to do dormer windows, pergolas, rotundas, curved paths, conservatories and exterior decorating with non traditional pieces from videos. I watch them much less now (but same for CAS videos) as I want to do my own things and use the ideas I learned. When the terrain tools came out - I watched them a lot more frequently again. And some simmers just do entertaining videos whatever they are doing including build mode.

I don't watch many because I simply don't have the time but when I do I just enjoy watching how the lot is decorated and landscaped. Sort of like watching my favorite HGTV design shows with funny commentary by the designers.

I find the Let's Plays less interesting. Building isn't something I'm great at, so I enjoy seeing competent builders make nice homes.

I think you all are right, I definitely prefer the videos for entertainment rather than how-to. Most build videos are too long for my taste to be used for a "how-to", I'm very impatient when it comes to "how-to" stuff, I don't want to watch for ten minutes to learn what I need, I want a 1-2 minute video that just tells me exactly what I need to know (part of my ADHD I think).

And of course some LPs are boring, but I think it's interesting to see different approaches to the game play, and I love how it lends itself to learning their personality (assuming they put their personalities into their LP, if they don't I probably lost interest). As for CAS I think it is also creative, and if you have no CC it's true there's only so much you can do, but with CC I feel like there's a lot, especially if someone is creating a sim from scratch, and it's someone who knows how to make sims with a variety of looks (some people I've noticed, end up making different versions of the same sim lol).

Thanks for all the input, it's nice hearing others' perspectives!

"belpita;c-17054726" wrote:
For me it's about getting new ideas and learning how to work around some of the limitations of the build feature.

This. Exactly. I do a lot of building myself, and sometimes I find myself frustrated trying to get a specific effect that the tools aren't really designed to easily do. That's when I go looking to see if someone else has figured out a way around the problem, and the videos can be helpful for that. I don't tend to watch them much otherwise.

I find build videos hypnotising and very relaxing. I lose a lot of time if I come across a few good build videos.

If I had unlimited time on my hands, I'd probably watch both Build and LPs. But I don't, so I rather spend those hours playing or organizing my own game. I do watch some YT vids though, but mostly Machinima (like real movies where roles are played by sims), because i make some of those myself.

Watching Build/Play might give ppl new ideas, learning how to use misc features, or simply pick up some inspiration to play their own game. I'd think that if seen 10 build vids, it would feel a bit repetitive, but I'm probably wrong :)

I don't enjoy building at all, plus there are so many great builds on the gallery by people with a real knack for it, that I prefer searching the gallery for hidden gems. I find it impossible to sit through a build video.

Another pet peeves of mine are CAS videos, watching someone click endless clothing and make up options for every category also leaves me cold.

I do watch let's plays from time to time, but mostly I find myself being critical of the perceived wrong decisions the person playing makes.

I watch both build and LP videos. I really enjoy build videos, but I don't like speed build videos. I enjoy watching someone create, seeing and hearing their thought process, and sometimes it gives me some great ideas. LP's are always fun to watch too, but sometimes I don't want to keep up with an LP for 40+ videos. Build videos are usually only one to three videos long, depending on the size of a build.

For me watching the builds helped me to actually build a house and put the roof on probably. You can learn a lot of cool things from watching the videos.