Youtubers Life

Lore & Background

Youtubers Life was developed by U-Play online, an independent entertainment company based in Barcelona, Spain. The game was greenlit through Steam Greenlight in 2015 and released into Steam Early Access for Microsoft Windows and OS X on 18 May 2016. In November 2018, the Youtubers Life OMG! Edition was released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A sequel, Youtubers Life 2, was announced in 2021 and released on 19 October of the same year.

The gameplay draws influence from Game Dev Tycoon and The Sims. Players manage a character's video creation, education, and social life. As the character develops, the player must also manage employees and a growing content network. Opportunities to create videos for friends, advertising agreements, and ad revenue allow the character to purchase equipment and housing upgrades and level up skills.

Reader's Guide

Youtubers Life occupies a niche as a life simulation game that specifically targets the experience of becoming a YouTube content creator. Its release through Steam Early Access in 2016 allowed the developer to iterate on the concept with community feedback. The game's influences from Game Dev Tycoon and The Sims are evident in its blend of business management and personal life management. The later OMG! Edition brought the game to consoles, expanding its audience beyond PC. The announcement and release of Youtubers Life 2 in 2021 indicate that the original game established a franchise. Critical reception for the PC version was mixed or average according to Metacritic, suggesting that while the concept resonated with some players, it did not achieve universal acclaim. The game's significance lies in its early and focused simulation of the YouTube creator economy, a topic that became increasingly relevant during the 2010s.

Did You Know?

• The game was released into Steam Early Access on 18 May 2016.
• The Youtubers Life OMG! Edition was released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in November 2018.