Grassroots content is the best content we ever publish here at 2Game, and dialogue with other content creators in particular is a highlight in this regard. Over the years, we've talked it out with creators from virtually all gaming niches already (with lots more to come), and if this is the kind of thing you're interested in as well, we've delivered once again. This time, with Verysmolhat!

Verysmolhat - Sara - is a variety streamer that's making a name for herself by playing video games and being a "professional silly goose" in her own words. As she is Canadian, this may well read like a threat in some contexts, so reader beware.

No dawdling, then! We asked Sara to give us some context on the who, the what, and the why of her work, and she obliged: "I play a massive array of video game genres and switching to variety has opened up so many more opportunities to connect and share our mutual love of gaming. Since diving into variety streaming, I have quickly adopted the “so many games, too little time!” mantra. Entering new worlds, meeting new characters, and experiencing the artistic expression and vision of game developers brings me so much joy."

"I started streaming in June 2020 playing exclusively Destiny 2 (with a pvp focus). Our community grew rapidly and I’m so blessed to still see so many of the same people in chat today, some of whom I have the pleasure to call friends. I recently returned to full-time content creation after a year-long hiatus and I’m so happy to be back with our community, now as a variety streamer!"

"Apart from gaming, I will occasionally dabble in some Co-Working streams (body-doubling for the win) and we also do a lot of yapping! I love to chat about life, hear about everyone’s wins, or just bond in the common struggle that is adulthood. Stream has become home for myself and I hope others also feel that it’s a kind, comfortable, and cozy space to spend some time in."

The bits and bobs that helped shape Verysmolhat

"I played video games sporadically growing up: Pokemon and Kirby’s Dreamland on the GameBoy, Super Smash Melee on my cousin’s GameCube, obscure Playstation games from garage sales you probably haven’t heard of (speedboat racing* was my favourite), and a LOT of MarioKart, WiiSports, and Rock Band. But once I moved away from home, I stopped gaming," says Sara.

Editor's Note: *-might've been Hydro Thunder!

"During my University years, my partner at the time would play games and I would watch while I studied. I watched him play the entirety of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and became obsessed with everything about it. I started my own playthrough which turned out to be both a terrible and wonderful idea. Terrible, because I played 13 hours a day and procrastinated studying. Wonderful, because I LOVED it and it opened a massive doorway into a hobby that would change my life. And that's how my gaming obsession began."

"I started streaming later that year in June when the pandemic was in full swing. I went live for the first time completely impulsively. I was bored and craving human connection. I went to the store and bought the very last webcam (seriously… they were in high demand). When I got home, I made my first ever Twitch account and went live with my headset microphone, one monitor, and a laptop to read chat. I had never really watched live-stream content but I was struggling to find spaces in the gaming world, especially as a woman, that felt safe and accepting. I had zero ambition or goals relating to streaming at the time - I didn’t even know about the potential of the industry or how much it was taking off."

"I very quickly became passionate about it: doing research around how to reach more people, creating accounts on other platforms to diversify, making connections and networking. I streamed multiple days a week, even once my full-time job and University started back up. I obtained Affiliate within a week, and by March 2021 I was a Twitch Partner!"

Verysmolhat's content explained, or what makes it all work

"Our shared hobby is what draws people in, but at the heart of our community is genuine kindness, goofiness, and a love of human connection. My desire was and continues to be to cultivate a cozy, silly, accepting, and empathetic community of cool people that just want to vibe. A place where we can all embrace our authentic selves. We laugh and we cry and we talk about ridiculous things and we get personal about life and sometimes we just enjoy gaming."

"Some days I’m yapping my heart out and other days I’m just enjoying the calm collective that we’ve created. It might sound selfish, but stream is what I need. When I’m feeling social and in a great mood, stream shows up for that. When I’m feeling cozy and sleepy, they show up for that too. They match the vibe and it’s wonderful. And on any given day, if my vibe isn’t what someone is looking for, that is perfectly okay."

"Through my years of streaming, I’ve had to remind myself that I’m not a robot! We are all dynamic! And we get to experience a bit of life together! How fun is that! Connecting from all over the world, from different pasts, experiences, and preferences. It’s such a cool thing. So if stream is what I need, then surely the space is what others might need as well. The more variety in spaces there are, the higher chance you’ll find somewhere you feel you “fit”. And my stream feeling like that for people brings me so much joy. I’m inconsistent, I lose my train of thought, I’m scatterbrained, I’m late to literally everything, I wear all my feelings on my face, and that’s what my content has become! This community is messy and beautiful and funny and unpredictable and it feels like home."

On motivation, ADHD, and more

"On days when I’m struggling with motivation to “work”, I remind myself of why I do it. Selfishly, because it’s somewhere I feel that I “fit”. Selflessly, so others also have a chance to find a space where they also “fit”. Every time my community tells me they miss me I swear I have a mini meltdown (a happy one)."

"The job itself allows me to work from home and as someone with chronic illness and severe ADHD this is a blessing (mostly… fellow work-from-home/self-employed pals understand the struggles)."

"Video games are of course a motivator and they are made so much more fun when sharing with others that are also excited about them. Chat are like my little cheerleaders when I do something cool and it makes my heart so happy. I imagine I’m like Squirt from Finding Nemo… “Hey Dad! Did you see that! Did you see me! Did you see what I did?”. Yeah, that’s me."

Verysmolhat has ideas for future content, too

"Currently, I’m focusing on regaining a level of consistency and getting comfortable with a different type of content! As someone that recently returned to full-time content and switched to variety, there’s already quite a bit of discomfort (which is not a bad thing - this is where we grow right?). Switching to variety has been so much fun but has also presented new challenges, so bear with me while I try to regain my “stream-legs” under me, if you will."

"I have started to attempt some short-form content of stream clips and eventually I would love to start making YouTube videos. In addition to stream compilations and gameplay, I have a lot to say about the industry (both good and the not-so-good) and would love an outlet to discuss that side of things!"

"I’ve also fantasized about some form of IRL content, specifically hiking and snowboarding/skiing in the winter. Maybe camping? But that’s a whole new can of worms to open. Maybe someday!"

Are you a creator, too? Verysmolhat's got tips for you!

One of the things we appreciate the most about our budding community of creators here at 2Game are all the tips and tricks they share with us during interviews. There's always some phenomenal insight to be found there, but Verysmolhat in particular has an impressive assortment of advice for us all. Don't believe us? Trust Sara, instead!

#1

"This industry is so volatile and unpredictable with fast-fluctuating trends and algorithms. So much is out of your control, so try not to tie your success to your personal value. You have value and the right people will find your community, you just need to get the word out there! Diversify your content within your means. Choose 2-3 platforms to express yourself through content that feels authentic and manageable while maintaining a “main” platform to redirect to."

#2

"Re-define what “success” looks like for you. If you reach the numbers you were aiming for but it’s with a community you don’t feel connected with, will that fulfill you? Remember that even streamers with thousands of viewers feel heavy self-doubt and insecurities. Numbers can be a useful tool but they should not be the definition or the ultimate goal."

#3

"Save your money and do not quit your job to go full-time until it is truly within your means. There is no reason to go into debt to create a fancy stream set-up and backdrop. Especially early on, focus on your value as a creator and what you offer and be consistent."

#4

"Be humble! There is space for everyone to create. The more spaces, the better!"

#5

"If you are entering content creation with the sole purpose of fame or money, you will probably be disappointed. To create a healthy, long-term relationship with this line of work, you need to be ready to recognize how your ego is holding you back. Confidence is great, but ego is where your insecurities will come out to bite you. When we’re able to set aside our ego, there is so much potential for personal growth and deeply rewarding work."

As ever, Sara's got plenty of positivity to share even with those of us who aren't actually in the business of honest-to-goodness content creation: "These aren’t just tidbits for budding creators - I remind myself of these constantly as it’s so easy to fall into the trap of not feeling good enough. You ARE enough and if you’re struggling with an average of 5 viewers, just remember that’s 5 people! Growth takes time, patience is key, and shedding a few tears along the way means you care. You got this!"

Need new content to watch? Check out Verysmolhat!

"I’m so excited to be working with 2Game. It’s genuinely one of my more exciting wins so far this year! To be able to offer game discounts to my community and offer some keys to give away so they can join me in the excitement. And being a variety streamer is expensive… 2Game has allowed me to play new games that I probably wouldn’t have been able to dive into on release! It’s been a very fun partnership so far and I’m excited for what’s next."

"I do have a fun charity stream coming up in June for Pride month that I’m very excited about. Everything else isn’t quite fleshed out enough to mention but I have some ideas… Sorry for the mysteriousness!"

"If you’re seeking a space full of quirky, diverse, and welcoming silly geese where we play different kinds of games and yap about literally anything, then this space might be for you! As a community member and ally we aim to be a loving and safe space for LGBTQIA+. As a big lurker of streams, I of course welcome the quiet, shy, and exclusively observant. I’d love to meet you and I hope to see you in stream sometime!"

To keep track of Verysmolhat, we recommend checking in with her via YouTube and Twitch! Find Sara using the following links:

• Twitch
• YouTube

And, of course, do stay tuned for lots more of this type of content, right here at 2Game!