Is short-form reshaping the impact of long-form gaming content? Mukul Anchal and Ankkita Chauhan discuss

With short-form content taking over our feeds, are long-format gaming videos losing their edge? We spoke to two of India’s top gaming creators, Mukul Anchal and Ankkita Chauhan, to hear their take on how things are changing.

There was a time when we regularly saw people join and enjoy YouTube live game streams, and there were even entire channels that were built on that experience, creating communities that thrived on long-format content and real-time interaction. But with platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts dominating our screens, increasingly, swiping, skipping, and speeding through content has become our second nature. Despite this shift, the gaming community continues to hold its ground, sticking to the formats that allow deeper engagement, storytelling, and connection with its viewers.

While most platforms are pushing for short, snackable content to cater to ever-decreasing attention spans, gaming content creators still find themselves rooted in the long-format streams and videos that built their loyal fan bases in the first place. As viewers, it makes us wonder, where does long-form gaming content fit in, and how does it continue to remain relevant? To understand this better, we spoke to Mukul Anchal, known online as 8Bit Mafia, and Ankkita Chauhan, popularly known as AnkkitaC, popular gaming creators who have built communities not just around gameplay, but around connection, commentary, and consistency.

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Thriving in the attention economy! 

Few things have shifted as dramatically as the way we consume videos. When asked if audience behaviour is changing, both creators agreed that short-form content is on the rise. But that doesn’t necessarily spell doom for longer videos. For creators like Mukul Anchal, the answer isn’t about choosing between long and short content but about using both to build a stronger ecosystem. “There’s definitely been a rise in short-form content, especially among casual browsers and younger audiences,” Mukul explains. “But in gaming, long-form content still thrives. People show up not just for the game but for the creator, the storylines, and the reactions. That’s a connection short-form can’t fully replicate.” The same sentiment is echoed by AnkkitaC, who noticed the shift in consumption habits but says gaming still holds its unique place. “Yes, there’s a clear trend towards short-form across platforms. But long-form formats like streams, gameplay breakdowns, and scrims continue to draw consistent interest,” she says. “Our viewers often come for the entertainment but stay for the depth and shared experience.” 

This idea of “shared experience” is key. While the rest of the internet chases virality, gamers have built communities that value immersion. Mukul points out that live streams and playthroughs keep people engaged for hours, not out of obligation, but out of choice. “The key is that viewers aren’t just watching, they’re participating through chat, predictions, and reactions. That sense of immersion keeps them coming back.”

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A post shared by Mukul Anchal (@8bitmafia)

Long-form vs. short-form: Do you really need to choose one over the other?

Neither creator is ignoring the pull short-form platforms have; in fact, they see it as an entry point. Ankkita shares how her team has adapted to the same. “We’re integrating a blend of content formats. Short clips, reaction moments, and best-of edits help with discoverability. But our anchor content is still the longer streams and gameplay videos.” Mukul adds, “We treat those quick clips as hooks. Once people discover the channel, they often stick around for our detailed content.” The strategy is a smart choice between using the speed of short-form to get attention and then offering depth through long-form to build loyalty.

There’s also the pressure to keep up with trends, something that can be creatively challenging. Both creators admit that the demand to be fast, funny, and viral can feel limiting at times, but they see it as a creative challenge rather than a burden. According to Mukul, quick content forces us to think about impact in seconds, while long-form lets us explore narrative and depth. He enjoys the fact that gaming gives them the best of both worlds. Ankkita, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of authenticity over trend-chasing. “There is always pressure to create fast content. But I’ve always believed in staying true to what makes me unique.” She points out how consistency and authenticity matter more to them, despite being gamers of this generation, than chasing short-term virality.

When it comes to platforms, tools that allow live chats, community features, and better monetization make YouTube a clear favorite for both creators. Mukul highlights how YouTube allows for deep engagement and high retention, while Instagram and YouTube Shorts help with reach and visibility. Meanwhile, Discord, according to both gamers, plays a vital role in keeping the community alive off-stream.

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A post shared by Ankkita Chauhan (@ankkitac)

These gamers also observe how the metrics are changing. Gone are the days when follower count was king. Both creators now focus more on watch time, live chat engagement, and viewer retention. Mukul talked about the true north being comments and repeat viewership that shows a real connection between gamers and their audience. Ankkita agrees, “Retention and the quality of engagement now matter more than ever.” Monetization, often a key concern for digital creators, also follows this hybrid model. While short-form helps attract new eyeballs and fuels brand awareness, it’s the long-form content that drives deeper relationships and, with that, better monetization. “Gaming stands out because it’s one of the few spaces where audiences willingly spend hours,” Mukul notes. “That’s the depth brands find valuable too.”

As attention spans shrink and content formats change, gaming creators like Mukul and Ankkita aren’t picking sides, but they’re adapting, blending, and building communities that thrive on both speed and substance. At first glance, it might seem like long-format videos are on the verge of extinction, especially when short-form clips are racking up millions of views in seconds. But look a little closer, and you’ll find that in the gaming community, long-form content isn’t just alive, it’s changing with time. What today’s creators need is not to choose one format over the other, but to develop the adaptability to use both smartly. Whether it’s through immersive live streams, in-depth gameplays, or quick highlight reels, the strength lies in knowing when to go deep and when to go fast. Mukul and Ankkita show us that attention may be fleeting, but connection lasts and that’s built over time. 

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