A PSA to YouTube Creators & Livestreamers
It's all controversy this week as StreamBeats generates false claims, Assassin's Creed gets backlash for a black samurai and Apple brings back some forgotten memories...
Good morning, Heroes! ☕ I want to start this email off by issuing a bit of a warning to my fellow content creators and streamers, regarding StreamBeats - the “free-use music” made by Harris Heller. This isn’t a “hit piece” by any means - I love Harris as a creator, but there seem to be a few issues on their end that they don’t want to share with the community. 🤔
I’ve previously recommended their music for livestreams and YouTube videos. Not as a #AD or anything like that, simply because their music was… honestly, incredible. The best on the market, for those who didn’t want to pay for an Epidemic Sound subscription or suchlike.
But, earlier this week, my channel was hit with 7 claims in two days. Not by an impostor, but by the actual company that manages the copyright for StreamBeats. I‘ve disputed all claims, submitted multiple claim forms via their website, emailed Harris and the company directly, and even reached out on social media. Yet… no replies, anywhere. Now fortunately the videos that were hit were only silly livestream highlights and the livestream itself, but the bigger issue is that I’m not the only one being affected by this. Their Discord is flooded with comments from other creators who have been getting claims - again, not just by money-grabbing imposters, which Harris has addressed previously - but by StreamBeats themselves.
Now, perhaps this is a YouTube issue, or simply an issue with their automation/software that manages all of these claims. But, there’s no accountability, no communication with their community, and not even a single moderator in their Discord server can shed some light on the situation or forward a message to the folks in charge. 🤷♂️
So for now at least, if you create content and/or livestream, consider using different music, keep an eye on Harris’ channels for an update, and maybe try bugging him on social media to address this.
🔥 What’s Hot This Week (Including You)?
#1 - Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reveal (and potentially leaked release date)
“…the creators of Prince of Persia and Splinter Cell have also given more information than has been revealed so far, including the fact that the game will be released on November 15. Of course, they have already deleted this detail, but the digital footprint remains and the data reached social media to stay.”
As controversial as Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been (for some rather ridiculous reasons, I might add), I think this is genuinely one of the first AC games that I’ve been excited for and willing to pick up.
If the leaked date is to be believed, it’ll fit nicely around other big games like Black Myth: WuKong (August 20th), Star Wars Outlaws (August 30th) and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (September 9th), giving a wonderful end-of-the-year treat.
#2 - Happy Gilmore 2 Officially Confirmed at Netflix
“Happy Gilmore is back! Adam Sandler will reprise his iconic role in a brand new movie coming to Netflix.”
Nearly 20 years after the original, we’re finally getting another silly Adam Sandler movie with golf! In recent years I’ve grown to love and appreciate Sandler’s more dramatic roles, like Uncut Gems, but going back to the comedy from my childhood will be a fun little trip!
#3 - Road House Sequel Officially in the Works at Amazon
“Amazon Prime Video is in development on a “Road House” sequel with Jake Gyllenhaal reprising his role as Dalton, Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke announced Tuesday morning.”
Another piece of awesome news! 🙏 Fingers crossed this one gets released in theatres - the latest take on Road House was a fun ride, but could have been so much better in a cinema with some popcorn, watching Jake Gyllenhaal absolutely butcher Conor McGregor.
#4 - GTA VI Release Date Narrowed to Fall 2025
“Take-Two announced GTA 6's updated release window in its latest earnings report, saying that its current outlook is based on the new date.”
This is all wonderful news, but the likelihood of GTA VI being released on time - particularly with Rockstar’s habit of delaying games to ensure a better experience for the audience (shoutout to Red Dead Redemption 2) - doesn’t feel entirely reasonable.
But, you never know! As long as the developers are happy and avoiding crunch as much as possible, that’s all that matters - the fans will happily wait. I… can’t say the same for shareholders though. 😅
#5 - Apple’s Latest iOS Update is Bringing Back Deleted Photos
“After updating their iPhone, one user said they were shocked to find old NSFW photos that they deleted in 2021 suddenly showing up in photos marked as recently uploaded to iCloud.”
Alrighty, time to pop a hold on my iPad’s automatic updates. As much as I love taking a stroll down memory late, there are probably a bunch of things I don’t need to remember from my teenage years with an iPhone… 😂
⭐ Hero’s Weekly Favourites
I’ve been taking a bit of a step away from my usual YouTube content this week to play some LEGO Fortnite - a game mode that deserves so much love. Epic Games have recently added a bunch of Star Wars themes events, characters, weapons and building blocks into the game, which resulted in a really fun video for the channel.
The video absolutely bombed as expected, but I had a great time playing through the event - we’ll probably dive in again later this week, too!
Remember Roman Atwood - YouTube’s fun, OTT prankster? Well, he’s switched up his content over the past few weeks and has started creating feel-good daily videos, with a strong focus on business and success.
In around 19 days, the channel has already grown to 180k+ subscribers. The videos themselves are exactly what I’ve been looking for on YouTube for a while - honestly, minimal, mature personal experiences. Check out the channel if you’re looking for something similar.
I finally found a chance to watch the latest Godzilla movie, and it’s… incredibly dumb, but also incredibly fun. It’s an all-out monster clash from start to finish, which does the complete opposite of the incredibly successful Godzilla Minus One by Takashi Yamazaki - actually focusing on the monsters rather than the humans. Minus One is still my favourite Godzilla movie of all time, while New Empire is just… Exciting, from start to finish.
💸 Sales, Discounts & Coupons
⭐ HeroVibes.Store | SAVE 10% ON EVERYTHING | Code: SUMMERVIBES
In addition to huge long-term price cuts store-wide, you can save an extra 10% off everything at HeroVibes.Store. Treat yourself to a video editing pack or one of the remarkable Dragon Samurai hoodies!
Dragon Age: Inquisition (GOTY Edition) | FREE - Epic Games
One of the best RPGs of all time is available for free right now via Epic Games - head on over and add it to your collection!
Logitech MX Master 2S | £39.89 (-34% OFF) - Amazon UK
If you don’t mind being a generation behind, one of the best mice is available on Amazon with a lovely little discount. The coolest part about this mouse - besides the design - is the horizontal scroll wheel, perfect for video editors.
👀 Upcoming Trends THIS Week…
#1 - World of Warcraft Classic: Cataclysm | 20th May
It’s time to dive back into WOW, litter your room with cans of Mountain Dew and Doritos and forget other human beings exist.
#2 - Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | 21st May
Oh yeah, this game still exists. Despite the terrible marketing, you can get your hands on this… potentially awesome game tomorrow.
#3 - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga | 24th May
Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy bring Mad Max’s terrifying world back to the big screen in a critically acclaimed origin story of a renegade warrior.
🎨 Creative Resources & Updates
This week I’ll be throwing some brand new sound effects and graphic assets into the drive! I’m running a little behind schedule, so expect these additions on Wednesday.
Here’s a link to all the Creative Resource Drive ⬅️
Everything here is available for free and was either made by me, or sourced (and credited) from free commercial-use sites, like Pexels or YouTube Audio Library.
That’s all for this week, Heroes! 🎬
If you’d like to keep in touch, tap this button ⬅️ to check out any of my YouTube channels, social profiles & Discord server, or head over to The HeroVibes Store - grab some video editing packs, or an awesome Dragon Samurai hoodie.
Thank you as always for supporting everything I create.
Hero ✌️