Okay, let me take you back for a second. 2015, what a year for gaming, right? We had these massive worlds to get lost in, like the gorgeous landscapes of The Witcher 3 and the post-apocalyptic chaos of Fallout 4. And then, out of nowhere, an indie darling like Rocket League comes in and says, 'Hey, watch this!' It was a year of giants and underdogs. But when YouTube dropped its list of the top trending gaming videos, the winner wasn't a sprawling RPG or a fast-paced sports game. Nope. The crown went to something... smaller. Something you could play in your pocket.
Yep, you guessed it. Helsinki's Supercell and their mobile hit Clash of Clans absolutely dominated. And I mean dominated. Their Super Bowl commercial, featuring none other than Liam Neeson in full Taken-mode, racked up views that were over four times the next video on the list! That's just... wild. Think about it. A simple freemium base-builder, with its cute cartoon graphics, out-trended trailers for massive console and PC games. It just goes to show, sometimes it's not just about the game's depth, but about that marketing magic ✨.
Honestly, that ad was a whole mood. Liam Neeson, looking dead serious, giving this over-the-top monologue about revenge because someone raided his village. I'm not gonna lie, it was hilarious and brilliant. Supercell just gets it – they know how to make their IP stick in your brain.
But the rest of the list? That's where things get really interesting. It was like a time capsule of 2015's gaming hype.
Here’s a quick peek at what else was trending that year:
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Star Wars Battlefront Reveal: Oh, the hype was REAL. That trailer was the third-most-trending video. The excitement was through the roof... even if, you know, the actual game launch later was a bit of a different story. 😅
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Grand Theft Auto V: Always a staple. A live-action homage video made the list, proving Los Santos never goes out of style.
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The Indie & Mobile Mix: This is the cool part. We had Five Nights at Freddy's 3 keeping us up at night, and even whispers of a Final Fantasy VII Remake (talk about a dream coming true!). And get this—Pokémon GO was already on people's radars and made the top 10, even though almost nobody knew what it really was yet! Talk about foreshadowing.
Looking back, this list wasn't just about what was popular. It was a sign. A sign that the gaming world was expanding in every direction.
Why this 2015 list still feels relevant today:
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Diversity is Key: It wasn't just MOBAs and shooters. Strategy, horror, RPGs, mobile – everything had a seat at the table.
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The Power of a Moment: A well-made, star-powered ad (looking at you, Liam) can create a cultural moment that even the biggest game launches might not capture.
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Mobile is Legit: Clash of Clans winning wasn't a fluke. It announced loud and clear that mobile gaming wasn't just a side thing; it was a powerhouse.
So, was Clash of Clans my personal game of the year back then? Maybe not. But can I respect the sheer audacity of that marketing win? Absolutely. It reminded everyone that in gaming, sometimes the biggest surprises come in the smallest packages... or the most epic 30-second commercials.
It makes you wonder, what defines a 'trending' moment? Is it the game itself, or the story we tell about it? Back in 2015, for one shining moment, it was all about a little village, a lot of rivalry, and Liam Neeson's very specific set of skills. And honestly? Iconic.
P.S. Celebrity endorsements in game ads? After 2015, it definitely felt like the door was kicked wide open. What do you think – hit or miss?