Whatever your opinion of ASMR, the cult Internet phenomenon that sees YouTubers talking in a hushed voice to trigger a sensory response, there can be no denying it’s big business. Some of the more popular content creators have millions upon millions of subscribers and earn thousands of dollars with each new video they upload.
However, among the sea of superstars like Gibi ASMR and ASMR Darling is a technology-focused channel with more subscribers than both: the Relaxing End. This fascinating, faceless channel has over six million subscribers, and its videos regularly earn views in the millions as well. Given its reach and gamer-centric audience, it’s a popular channel for publishers.
The channel’s shtick is that it unboxes rare or retro consoles or games in a relaxing way. Each video has a very distinctive style, from the trademark knives that the host uses to open the packages through to the delicate way all of the contents are extracted. And with firms like Sony leveraging the channel’s reach to promote upcoming releases, there are some very cool press kits that have been opened.
Take, for example, this one for The Last of Us: Part II, which shipped in a literal metal crate. The contents include various branded goodies, including the game’s Collector’s Edition, headset, and DualShock 4 controller. But even more awesome is how it’s decorated with grass and foliage. You’ll see what we mean when you watch the video:
Or what about this Ghost of Tsushima press kit that comes in a wooden crate:
There was even a Days Gone press kit that came in a literal toolbox, and included a leather patch signed by the development team. Amazing:
It’s not all publisher freebies on the channel, though. One of our favourites is this unboxing of a factory sealed PS2 Slim, which has amassed almost five million views to date:
These videos are surprisingly watchable, and we can’t wait to see what kind of package Sony sends the channel for its upcoming PlayStation 5 launch. That’s going to be one for the ages, isn’t it?
[source youtube.com]
Comments 18
I've watched a few of these. Its fascinating seeing what is included in some of those press kits - and they certainly are relaxing!!
Sammy B promoting his own channel there. 😜🤣
@Paranoimia I'd have left Push Square a long time ago if I was making as much money as this guy!
Oh yeah I’ve seen this guy before. I must say I prefer the proper retro stuff to the new limited editions. I can only remember unboxing my consoles from Wii and on.
The concept of these channels sounded really dumb when I read this article, but I've now watched a few of Relaxing End's videos and they've earned a sub from me. The editing makes the videos flow so well.
Is this my new fetish. 😆
I just tried watching the Gibi ASMR and it sounds worse "to me" then nails on a chalkboard, absolutely painful to hear. I guess it affects everyone differently 🤷
The relaxing end is much better since he's not talking and he's doing awesome unboxings.
Been watching his videos for a while , pure class
just me looking at last of us 2 press kit and wondering why it got so reviewed so well lol.
@Anguspuss Just putting it out there that we have never received anything like the press kits on this YouTube channel.
These types of videos always unsettle me. It strikes me as some soft-spoken serial killer lovingly fondling his latest victim's possessions. The latex gloves add to the effect here.
I am not relaxed haha, only slightly disturbed.
I'm not into asmr. Seems a bit metrosexual. I do miss the sound of foil wrapped kit kats though. Also as a cleaner I like the sound of paperclips clanging against the metal pipe of the hoover when cleaning the floor at work. Or stones that fell off people's shoes.
Imagine spending all that time raising a child and they turn out to be a youtuber
He got nice kit from MS the other day for flight simulator with all the the joysticks and pedals.
@get2sammyb I wouldn’t mind being a penny behind him and to his credit I love his videoS
@UnlimitedSevens I laugh uncontrollably at the whispering ones, but the ones without voices, which are tappy, rubby and gently scratchy I do actually like. ASMR Bakery has the best ones imho.
Nothing worse in the world than unboxing videos, except for ASMR unboxing videos.
@LiamCroft you need to write more reviews wearing the rainbow and unicorn sunglasses. MY daughter has some spare will trade for the last of us 2 press kit )))))))))
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