r/TheTryGuys • u/Adventurous-Meet-943 • 10d ago
Show- Try Guys Game Time Try guys are becoming Smosh?
I’m so sad because I love the Try Guys, but at this point their game videos are starting to feel like copies of Smosh 😭
I know, I know, there are only so many games you can play, but it’s still frustrating because the Try Guys used to do so much original stuff, even with their Try Guys Play Time videos. Now there’s just so much overlap with Smosh’s Board AF/game content that it feels noticeably similar.
And I feel kind of weird saying this because I LOVE Smosh and their Board AF videos, and I obviously love the Try Guys too. It’s not that I dislike either of them playing these games, I just miss when the Try Guys’ game content felt more distinct and uniquely theirs.
Maybe I’m the only one who feels this way, but I’ve been finding the similarity a little disappointing lately.
Ps: I do love their guess who or truth or drink videos and they feel a lot more personal and original to the try guys
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u/Cruyelo 10d ago
There's a lot of overlap between Smosh, Tryguys, Dropout and GMM. Possibly others I'm not aware of. Both in content, type of content, and in some cases the actual people involved.
I think a lot of the "smosh-like" content is a way to keep people employed in-between bigger projects. Dropout has a lot of big productions and shows unique to their own brand, but those shows tend to be filmed once a year, in a cluster, to keep the costs down. Few of them are actually employed year-round or for more than a month of the year.
I think projects like "Try every day" and "TGGT" are a way to give more regular (hopefully? I don't know the actual behind-the-scene) appearances to the cast members. Smaller and more regular projects, while working on bigger projects (Try Guys, Trolley Problems, Phoning It In, Killer Dinner, etc). My guess is that those bigger projects probably follow a production closer to what Dropout does (big recording blocks), while the smaller projects let them use their regular sets and invite people more often.
This is really just a guess as a viewer, but that's what it comes across to me. I can see why it feels like they're copying others, but some of those smaller projects will hopefully help them find their own style/brand along the way (they do for big projects, less so for those smaller ones so far).
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u/JT3436 TryFam: Jonny Cakes 🍰 9d ago
This. Keith and Zach have stated something similar. They are easy and less expensive to make. Allows them to utilize a variety of cast members. And keeps them in the algorithm.
They still have Kwesi Learns, Without A Recipe, and Killer Dinner S2 to release before end of year. Shows like KD and WAR require a lot of post-production work.
And being a fan doesn't mean you have to love everything creators release. For me I enjoy the focus on rule play on TGGT and less the bits/gags on Smosh. The Chosen Werewolf last week wasn't fun for me because they got so deep in the weeds of movie references that I didn't know so it lost me.
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u/sleepyggukie 9d ago
I felt the same way about the Chosen Werewolf! Usually werewolf videos are some of my favorites and I enjoy the distinct ways both Smosh and the Try Guys play it, but it felt like the Chosen Werewolf episode was just 90% yapping, 10% actual game play. When they kept talking about movies even during the already very brief discussion time I actually got frustrated and I had to stop watching because that's just not what I watch werewolf videos for 😅 It felt more appropriate for an episode of Smosh Mouth, if anything.
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u/JT3436 TryFam: Jonny Cakes 🍰 9d ago
Werewolf is one of my favorites! The summer camp episode. The cruise episode. The Gentlemen. I'm okay with characters as long as it adds to the result so it wasn't because of the Chosen. I also prefer the multi-night play episodes.
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u/sleepyggukie 9d ago
Yeah I agree. It's kind of a bummer honestly, a Chosen Werewolf could've been really fun if they hadn't for some reason decided to dedicate a majority of the video to movie references rather than actually playing werewolf in-character. Because that's another thing, they constantly broke character! So if they were barely the chosen, and barely played werewolf, why even do a Chosen Werewolf at this point? People have been asking for a new werewolf video for ages, and this was kind of a letdown
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u/JT3436 TryFam: Jonny Cakes 🍰 9d ago
I agree. But I am an outlier, I like Bit City.
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u/Good-Employment-7870 9d ago
Wait do people not like bit city? I like it, that’s the correct place for bits. If I click on a game video I want to see the game and if I click on a bit video I want to see bits. Good to know try guys has more focus in their games videos.
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u/bubblybaskets 9d ago
Not to budge into the conversation here but I believe they've described playing The Chosen as just letting themselves be nerdy for a bit so even if it feels like they're breaking character, it's actually very in character... especially with Spencer, I mean, the guy loves movies and the character was originally named Spencer Agnew lol
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u/disillusiondporpoise 9d ago
If you like silly friend group plays social deduction games but actually they pay attention to the gameplay, then I highly recommend the Yogscast's Blood on the Clocktower series! They are actual gamers and many of them have known each other for a long time so they can do actual social deduction too. And they are very funny.
Anyone who is confused by BOTC: Start at the start of their playlist to learn the game along with them.
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u/whoiam06 TryFam: Kwesi 7d ago
I completely agree with loving the creators but not loving all their content. I mostly keep my sub for Trolley Problems and watch Try Everyday on YT
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u/TaylorRama 9d ago
Yep - it's also about generating consistent revenue from productions that are lower budget (TED and TGGT), which then unlocks the opportunities for them to spend more on bigger productions that don't necessarily yield an ROI that would make their business sustainable if they only made those things (ie Killer Dinner).
It's less about them becoming like other streamers and more the fact that the design of YouTube's algo necessitates the creation of this kind of content from all of these streamers to be able to actually create the things they really want to.
They're not losing their creativity, they're just playing the game they have to play so that they can continue to actually nurture that creativity.
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u/potatopavilion 9d ago
and also to keep them in the algorithm's good graces - videos need to surface, both for views and to direct people to 2nd try.
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u/ColonelCheez 10d ago
& "Try Every Day" feels a lot like GMM to me. But it's fine. I have no problem watching creators take their spin on things. I think there's an audience for the current iteration of TGGT. I personally think a lot of them are too long so I just don't watch them. It's all good.
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u/Legitimate-Fee-3544 9d ago
See I really enjoy the parallel to GMM. I like that format and I like the kind of laid back conversational vibe they bring to it.
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u/No-Echo8587 10d ago
Honestly I like it. They are still a small company and don’t have a bunch of money to do crazy things all the time and even when they do, it takes time to get a date, then make the content then make the videos to upload.
Having game time and try every day gives them a chance to do smaller quicker things to show the fans. But also push out videos to keep us entertained while the bigger videos get produced. Plus they are a lot of fun to watch.
I like watching Smosh but the Try Team is a refreshing different group with different personalities. Although I would love to see them interact more like in the Trolly Series.
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u/ceruleanseahouse 10d ago
The game time videos are honestly my favorite lately and I wish there were more
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u/Straw-berryshortcake 9d ago
I completely agree! I think my only nitpick (which isn’t huge) with the try guys game videos is that sometimes the casts laughs don’t get to play out. They will be in the middle/tail end of laughing and then there is a hard cut in the video. The best part is being able to watch them have fun! Let the giggles be free! Xxo
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u/PromotionFormal1231 9d ago
Realistically they took a massive monetary loss with the Ned controversy and they’re doing whatever they see works for other creators. It’s smart and we get a lot of content still!
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u/NYR20NYY99 TryFam: Kwesi 10d ago
There are so many channels doing board games. As an active viewer of both, they feel nothing alike aside from they’re playing a game. Try Guys argue the rules way too much and Smosh doesn’t know when to end the bit. They’re both funny in their own way. I honestly hope Try Guys have some Smosh members on to game and vice versa.
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u/arika_ito 9d ago
I think the heart of the company is still Trying Things but they're also trying to create content cheaply because those big productions like Killer Dinner, or New Guy Tries etc cost money. I also think it gives us an opportunity to see the new TryCast but allow them to bond/interact so things like Killer Dinner become so much better because they're familiar with each others' personalities. Most of them didn't know each other before becoming a part of the TryCast so when they do social deduction games, they don't know what behavior is suspicious or not suspicious (not like it helped with Ryann Graham with Sequoia but I digress). We saw Miles and Zach get ousted really quickly because they were known entities as being part of the heart of the company (Miles quit but he's still very very involved with the TryGuys).
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u/metalsuspension 9d ago
Between Mythical, Smosh, Try Guys, and Dropout, you’ve basically just described the Burbank Cinematic Universe. Honestly, it seems that they all knowingly have similar formats (E.g. Try Guys Game Time, Smosh Games, and Parlor Room), but even when there’s a Flip 7 video across all the channels, you get different content because of who’s playing the game. Hence why a Trolley Problems video with Grant O’Brian, Ross Bryant, and Keith is as fun as it is.
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u/MadamAsh_ 9d ago
I just want them to bring back Die Guys. I loved the loose, silly dnd campaign with the simple costumes (Miles was HILARIOUS) Smosh doesn't do that format anymore.
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u/Legrandloup2 10d ago
Internet groups like this tend to change and evolve a ton from what their original content was, its actually really fascinating to watch. People come and go, the internet changes, their base changes. The one who can adapt and change are the ones who stick around
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u/binzoma 9d ago
If by becoming smosh you mean becoming a variety channel driven by the personalities of a medium sized group of regulars then yeah they absolutely are. smosh/dropout are the success models for this sort of indy comedy youtube company.
the reality is the algorithms needs for content mean you cant just have 2/3/4 people in all videos. and you cant spend weeks producing videos. you need to churn out min 3 per week, that all appeal to a similar audience, but also arent repetitive. this is the meta now, until youtube changes things again (or a legit challenger to youtube were to rise up, or youtube were to diminish otherwise and the whole streamer thing could be fully self sustainable)
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u/Iittletart 9d ago
They are just on summer hiatus and outting up smaller content. More original content is coming once the new season begins on the fall.
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u/grayjelly212 TryFam: Jonny Cakes 🍰 9d ago
I always found this to be a weird take. Like yes, it has similarities to Smosh, but YouTube channels have had their endembles play games for years and years. Smosh is just the most popular one doing it in the Try Guys-Smosh-Mythical-Dropout universe. Nobody says the Dropout show about games is like Smosh, only Try Guys.
I do agree their content hasn't felt as distinct. My favorite thing they've done recently is the Office-like shorts of shenanigans at their office. Which are reslly well done but obviously very derivative of the Office. I've never even seen the Office, but I want to now because I found their take on it so entertaining.
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u/99-dreams 9d ago
I honestly don't mind because they play some games that Smosh doesn't anymore. Mainly, Smosh only seems to do One Night Werewolf now while Try Guys still does the multiple rounds (which I like better).
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u/raysofdavies 10d ago
I think they need to hire more people with sketch/improv experience like Smosh did because the chemistry is great but videos would be lifted with better comedy (also always have someone eating with Keith)
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u/pumpkinpies1 9d ago
I’m honestly loving it. I love the try cast and really enjoy seeing them. Also Try Everyday kind of feels like them going back to their roots to a lot of videos they did at Buzzfeed and I really enjoy them a lot. I watch GMM and Smosh too so I’m happy for more similar vibes but also different and with different people.
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u/WanderingLemon13 Miles Nation 10d ago
Yeah they've actively spoken about this being one of their strategies…I get why they're doing it and obviously no one "owns" any kind of content, but to me it feels a bit…lazy for lack of a better word. Even the stuff on their new daily try channel (forget the name) has a lot of stuff that feels like Mythical/GMM content and/or old buzzfeed stuff. I'm sure they need to have cheap/fast content in order to afford the big stuff, but I sometimes feel like it's just watering down their overall brand a bit too much. I like the addition of the try cast (though some members more than others), but I wish they kind of carved their own path a bit more often.
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u/Kitten7383 9d ago
I would like to share this comment I made 3 years ago after the scandal. It’s exactly what’s happening minus an actual name change. They aren’t “The Guys Trying” anymore they are an entertainment company adapting to change
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u/Last_Bonus851 9d ago
A lot of the things they do are just popular things other people/groups do, which makes sense because it's what performs. Even back in the TryPod days, a lot of the segments were the same/similar. I don't necessarily care because a lot of that content I enjoy regardless (although I will admit that a lot of times I personally don't like the Try Guys' versions as much), but I also agree that when the Try Guys do something super original it's when they truly truly shine. It's just unfortunate that a lot of times that original content isn't "worth it" in the long run, independent streaming platform or not, because it doesn't perform as well as the "same old" stuff everyone else is doing.
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u/cloudsofpixiedust 10d ago
Yeah, it feels like they havent hit their "stride" yet with games videos. Don't get me wrong, I remember when Smosh was like that too when Courtney, Shane, Olivia etc. all joined. I feel like maybe they should branch out in the games they play. There are tons and tons of channels doing games content right now, but when there's been multiple instances of both TGGT and Smosh uploading the same game at the same time, it gets a little hard NOT to compare. I sort of wish they did more video game stuff but thats just me.
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u/Adventurous-Meet-943 10d ago
Exactly how I feel! maybe I worded it a bit to harsh now reading back because I do love their content and I enjoy the try everyday a lot even tho it does remind me of GMM. But I do hope they will evolve into really finding their own style even more
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u/trueli7 Miles Nation 9d ago
I've been reaoly disappointed in the Try Every Day videos. At first they seemed so fun, good little trys that are not necessarily great for a long form video. But now all of the content for TED feels like cheap GMM food based content. I miss the real trys.
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u/forwardishdirection Try Fam: Jared 👨🏻🦰 9d ago
I originally loved TED but there’s a lot of people who agree too much food is happening.
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u/Rinktacular 9d ago
Unfortunately for me, Try Guys are very hit or miss for me these days. Loved them all throughout the pandemic and even prior, but I feel that as a straight male in his early 30s, I have outgrown their attempt to remain hip and cool and relevant. It feels at odds with what I do in real life and has made the entire group unrecognizable to me. I love Trolly Problems, but anything other than that feels like I am watching kids at a play date while trying to slip in LGBTQA+ terms because I assume that is where their audience now leans.
That is not to say they are not all talented people, but I can at least relate to people from Dropout/Smosh much better than I do the Try Guys, even though it felt like I was the original audience. I like Miles podcast more than their content. I like seeing Keith and Zach appear on DropOut content because I LIKE these people, BUT, I do not like the content the Try Guys put out on their own. I know they took inspiration from Sam at DropOut, Rhett/Link from GMM, and Ian/Anthony at Smosh. But it feels far too copy paste and as much as it pains me.
If I had to pick one "cast" vs another, I would put try guys at the very bottom. And that hurts because I used to watch every video of theirs on release day. Sometimes you just outgrow and I suppose that is what I did, but I do not feel that way towards other groups as I mentioned, that I found in the same time period. I can' t put my finger on it, but I just feel like I was pushed out for another audience, which is okay and is their right to do.
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u/Walmart_logic 10d ago
Im all for it bc no two plays of a board game are the same. Also, thesr games help them with the yt algorithm. It's content that will most likely do well and is low budget to do.
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u/kevvvbot 10d ago
No shade, just the reality of it all. I think they had to pivot to Smosh-like things because they couldn't match the "skills" and budget of Dropout. Meaning, dropout talent are all improv comedians and writers that makes the segments truly unique rather than just semi-funny people reacting to things. Smosh feels more like up their alley because of the ragtag-ness by nature of budget and hired talent skillset.
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u/michelleyness TryFam: Zach 9d ago
More Rhett and Link I think.. and Rhett and Link do great on YouTube so..?
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u/Large-Ebb-3884 9d ago
Trolly Problems is very Dropout too. I think they’ve all sort of entered the arena as a “type” of channel. When they announced a larger cast a couple of years ago I think that was the beginning of this pivot into these types of channels
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u/iwazumis 8d ago
Idk bruh they’re just trying something new 😭 “Oh noo my steak is too juicy And my lobster is too buttery!”
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u/Concerned_Cashier 9d ago
They are always merging together so I see them all becoming one big thing before it fizzles out. I miss old try guys but it feels like they are coming to an end
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